Give plain pumpkin pie a rest this year. Instead, start a new tradition and try these Thanksgiving desserts that aren't pie!
The Best Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie
Updated on Oct. 07, 2024
1/30
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pumpkin isn’t only for pies. Now you can take the classic fall vegetable and enjoy it in a tiramisu-style dessert. I promise that after one bite, you’ll add this recipe to your keeper files. —Pam Peters, Fernie, British Columbia
2/30
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
12 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
This incredible dessert perfectly pairs the creaminess of a classic cheesecake base with a rich, cinnamon-y and nutty layer spooned on after baking. Over the top? Yes, in the best way possible! —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
3/30
Turkey Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Create a simple centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dessert table. The cake comes together fast with the help of a mix, and melted candy coating keeps decorating easy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
4/30
Pumpkin Spice Custard
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love this traditional Crockpot pumpkin spice custard. The added espresso powder gives it a latte effect! —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
5/30
Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple Cake)
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio
6/30
Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Tart
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the flavor combination of spiced pumpkin and chocolate, which inspired me to create this chocolate pumpkin tart. Sometimes I like to sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the chocolate ganache for extra flavor and texture. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
7/30
Easy Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It’s super simple to make since there’s no crust—just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it’s a wholesome treat. —Sheri Hatten, Devil’s Lake, North Dakota
9/30
Apple-Pear Crisp
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The mix of tart apples and ripe pears creates an irresistible fall crisp, blanketed with a perfectly spiced and buttery oat topping. We like it warm from the oven with a spoonful of whipped cream. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
10/30
Toffee-Pear Crisp Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It's absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California
11/30
Pumpkin Charlotte
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit.
—Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois
12/30
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16
From the Recipe Creator:
This fall treat is like two desserts in one! Combine the flavors and textures of perfectly spiced pumpkin cookies and a surprise cheesecake filling. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin
13/30
Heavenly Praline Cake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings (5 cups candied pecans)
From the Recipe Creator:
A moist cake and generous frosting are filled with the fabulous flavor of caramel. The candied pecans are almost a dessert by themselves!—Jennifer Rodriguez, Midland, Texas
14/30
Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderfully light dessert is our standby at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The hint of pumpkin and the refreshing ice cream make a most delicious after-dinner treat. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
15/30
Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
16/30
Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist cake smothered with rich cream cheese frosting makes any dinner festive. Every autumn, I go to a cranberry festival in Wisconsin and load up on fresh cranberries to freeze for year-round cooking. —Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois
17/30
Butter Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fall always makes me yearn for this pecan cheesecake, but it’s delicious in any season. You’ll want to put it on your list of favorite holiday desserts. —Laura Sylvester, Mechanicsville, Virginia
18/30
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Kentucky bourbon pecan cheesecake will wow your guests and your taste buds. Serve in spring during the Kentucky Derby or at any other special occasion throughout the year. — Rashanda Cobbins, Aurora, Colorado
19/30
Pumpkin Spice Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake “Thanksgiving Cake” because it’s a tasty alternative to pie, but we don’t relegate it to just that holiday. I think you’ll agree it’s delicious any time of the year.—Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio
20/30
Apple-Walnut Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bread pudding is one of those desserts that you basically can throw anything into. It’s the kitchen sink of desserts. This recipe came about because I had stale bread and apples that needed to be used. No apples? You can use dried fruit such as cranberries or apricots, or even dried apples. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
21/30
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Gingerbread Trifle
Total Time
11 hours 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's more to pumpkin than pie, as this impressive trifle proves. It looks so elegant with alternating layers of gingerbread cake and pumpkin/butterscotch pudding. Try making it ahead of time for a fuss-free dessert when you're planning to entertain guests. —Lyla Lehenbauer, New London, Missouri
22/30
Pecan Pie Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These pecan pie bars are rich and delicious – just like pecan pie! They’re perfect for gatherings…I always come home with an empty pan. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
23/30
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Love chocolate? Then this tender, luxurious layer cake is for you. With a ganache glaze and a fabulous bittersweet filling, the indulgence is so worth it. —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
24/30
Pecan Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pecan pound cake always turns out great. It’s wonderful with a steaming cup of coffee on a chilly winter day. —Fleta West, Hayes, Virginia
25/30
Upside-Down German Chocolate Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple recipe yields a delectable German chocolate cake that folks will “flip over”! The tempting coconut and pecan “frosting” bakes under the batter and ends up on top when you turn the cake out of the pan.
26/30
Gingered Almond Truffle Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh ginger complements the chocolate truffle filling in this elegant, almost sinful tart. Small servings are best! —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
27/30
Caramel Apple Strudel
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
28/30
Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cranberry cookie bars combine two beloved holiday flavors and top a delicious soft crust with cream cheese icing. We enjoy these during the holiday season. —Jennifer Blakely, Visalia, California
29/30
Pumpkin Mousse
Total Time
10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’ve had your fill of pumpkin pie, this cool and creamy pumpkin mousse is perfect for you. Its light and fluffy texture won’t make you feel “stuffed” after your favorite turkey dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
