Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and, of course, the food! After a savory feast filled with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, it's time for the sweet stuff. But with so many options to choose from, how do you pick the perfect dessert to wrap up your holiday meal?

Whether you're a traditionalist who loves classic pumpkin pie or someone who enjoys trying new flavors and textures, we've gathered a selection of Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are sure to impress your guests and leave everyone with a smile (and a satisfied sweet tooth). So, grab your apron and get ready to bake up some sweet memories!

1. Classic Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving table is complete without the comforting, spiced goodness of pumpkin pie. This classic dessert brings the flavors of fall straight to your plate, with a smooth, velvety filling and a perfectly golden, flaky crust. It’s simple, crowd-pleasing, and the perfect way to showcase the season’s star ingredient—pumpkin.

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can of pure pumpkin puree

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 2 large eggs

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ginger

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade if you’re feeling extra!)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, spices, and salt until smooth.

3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

4. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until the filling is set.

5. Let the pie cool, then refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

2. Apple Crisp

For those who love a fruity dessert with a little crunch, apple crisp is an excellent choice. With its caramelized, cinnamon-sugar apples and buttery, oat-filled topping, it’s like a warm hug in dessert form. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you more time to enjoy your guests.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into cubes

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Toss the apples with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread them evenly in a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.

3. In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.

4. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples.

5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden and crisp.

6. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream.

3. Pecan Pie Bars

If you're craving the rich, gooey goodness of pecan pie but want something a little more portable and easy to serve, pecan pie bars are the answer! These bite-sized squares pack all the flavors of the classic pie, with a buttery shortbread crust and a sweet, nutty filling.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 cup cold butter, cubed

• 1 cup light corn syrup

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. For the crust: In a food processor, pulse flour and powdered sugar. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture forms a dough. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.

4. For the filling: In a bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the chopped pecans.

5. Pour the filling over the baked crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set.

6. Let the bars cool completely before slicing. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa!

4. Cranberry Orange Cheesecake

For something a bit more decadent, this cranberry orange cheesecake is the perfect balance of tart and sweet. The creamy cheesecake filling paired with a tangy cranberry sauce is an unforgettable combination that will have your guests raving. Plus, it’s a stunning dessert to serve at your Thanksgiving table!

Ingredients for the crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup melted butter

Ingredients for the cheesecake:

• 3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cranberry sauce:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• Zest of 1 orange

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.

2. For the crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.

3. For the cheesecake: Beat together cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the crust.

4. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the center is set but slightly jiggly.

5. For the cranberry sauce: In a saucepan, cook cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens (about 10 minutes). Let it cool.

6. Once the cheesecake has cooled, top with cranberry sauce and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

5. Sweet Potato Soufflé

Sweet potato soufflé is a warm, fluffy, and flavorful dessert that can easily double as a side dish. Topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, it’s a sweet way to enjoy the rich flavor of sweet potatoes with just the right amount of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and boiled

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup milk

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

For the topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup flour

• 1/4 cup butter, softened

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.

2. Mash the boiled sweet potatoes and mix with sugar, milk, butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.

3. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the baking dish.

4. For the topping: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, butter, and pecans. Sprinkle over the sweet potatoes.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden and bubbly.

Final Tips for a Sweet Thanksgiving

• Make-Ahead Desserts: Many of these desserts can be made a day or two in advance, so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday!

• Personalize: Add a little twist to the classics, like using maple syrup in your pecan pie filling or adding a dash of bourbon to your apple crisp topping.

• Presentation: Dress up your desserts with a little extra touch—think whipped cream, fresh fruit, or a dusting of powdered sugar—to make them extra special.

No matter which dessert you choose, these Thanksgiving treats will help make your meal unforgettable. After all, what’s a holiday feast without a little something sweet to finish it off?

Happy baking and happy Thanksgiving!