27 Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie

If you’re all pied out or just don’t want to deal with crusts, there are plenty of Thanksgiving desserts that still bring the fall comfort you want. Not every celebration calls for rolling dough or pulling off a picture-perfect lattice top, and that’s completely fine. There’s a whole world of sweets that feel right for the holiday without tying you to a pie plate. These recipes lean into fall flavors, serve well for a crowd or a small table, and let you end the meal on a high note.

Pumpkin Bars

These pumpkin bars bake up soft and cake-like, and they bring in those familiar spices that feel right at home this time of year. They come together easily with pantry ingredients, and they slice cleanly, which makes them a great small dessert to share at Thanksgiving when you want something pumpkin-forward that isn’t a traditional pie.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin Pie Bites

These bite-sized treats layer a smooth pumpkin filling into crisp phyllo shells that bake quickly and cool fast. They work well for a small crowd since you can make only what you need, and they deliver that classic pumpkin flavor in a lighter, more flexible format than a full pie.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bites

Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp

This crisp brings together pears and quince with bright citrus and ginger for a dessert that tastes seasonal without being heavy. The fruit softens in the oven while the topping gets crisp, and it serves easily with or without ice cream, which makes it a simple choice when you’re looking for a fall dessert that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp

Apple Butter Rugelach

These soft rugelach cookies use apple butter and cacao nibs for a mix of sweet fruit and slight crunch. The dough rolls out easily and bakes into tidy spirals that are great for anyone looking for a smaller Thanksgiving treat that still brings autumn flavor to the table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Butter Rugelach

Baked Pears

Halved pears roast until tender, then get filled with yogurt and topped with a pecan crumble. They’re simple to prepare, don’t require a mixer or complicated steps, and work well for a lighter dessert that still feels fitting for Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pears

Pecan Cobbler

This cobbler bakes into a soft, pudding-like base with a crunchy pecan topping. It scoops easily into bowls and brings classic holiday flavor without the commitment of a pie crust. It’s great for small gatherings because leftovers reheat well.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Cobbler

Chocolate Pecan Tart

This tart brings the richness of a brownie and the sweetness of pecans together in one dessert. The filling sets into a smooth, chocolatey layer that slices neatly, and it’s a strong choice when you want something decadent for Thanksgiving without baking a full pie.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Tart

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

This creamy dip blends pumpkin, spices, and a cheesecake base. It comes together fast in one bowl and pairs well with fruit or cookies, which makes it convenient for casual Thanksgiving snacking or a small dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

Pumpkin Spice Rum Cake

This bundt cake stays moist from pumpkin and has warm spices balanced by a buttery rum glaze. It keeps well, cuts cleanly, and feeds a small group without a lot of extra work, which makes it a strong option for Thanksgiving when pie isn’t on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Rum Cake

Terrific Turkey Cupcakes

These decorated cupcakes use a simple base and rely on candy pieces for the “turkey” design. They’re fun for kids to help with, easy to serve, and bring a playful element to the table when you want something lighthearted for the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Terrific Turkey Cupcakes

Turkey Brownies

These brownies get topped with quick decorations to turn them into turkey faces. They start with a basic brownie batter and become a simple holiday dessert that works well for a smaller group or a family gathering where you want something easy to transport.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Brownies

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler

This slow cooker dessert mixes pumpkin and spices under a cake-like topping that cooks evenly with little attention. It’s helpful for small Thanksgiving celebrations since it frees up oven space and delivers a warm dessert that scoops easily.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler

Slow Cooker Sticky Caramel Pumpkin Cake

This pumpkin cake cooks into a soft, caramel-coated dessert in the slow cooker, which helps keep it moist and hands-off. It’s a good option for a small gathering since it serves easily from the pot and reheats well.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sticky Caramel Pumpkin Cake

Salted Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

This cheesecake layers a smooth filling with salted caramel and pecans for a mix of creamy and crunchy textures. It sets firmly enough to slice cleanly and works well as a centerpiece dessert when pie isn’t your plan for Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Pear pudding with cranberry

This pudding uses flax seeds and cashew butter to create a soft, spoonable base. It’s topped with citrus, cranberries, and pistachios for color and texture, making it a light but seasonal dessert for anyone who wants something different at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Pear pudding with cranberry

Pumpkin Flan

This smooth flan sets without eggs and has a caramel layer that melts into the pumpkin base once it’s chilled and turned out. It’s a good fit for smaller Thanksgiving celebrations since the portions are easy to control and the dessert can be made ahead.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Flan

Sweet Potato Coffee Cake

This coffee cake bakes into a soft crumb with a spice-filled sweet potato base and a pecan streusel through the middle and on top. It slices nicely and doubles as a breakfast-style treat the next day, making it helpful for long weekends around Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Coffee Cake

White Chocolate Almond Bark

This bark mixes melted white chocolate with almonds and sets into breakable pieces. It comes together quickly, packs well, and is a nice option for a lighter dessert plate when you want something sweet without making a full pie or layered cake.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Almond Bark

Pumpkin Dip

This sweet pumpkin dip stirs together fast and keeps well in the fridge, making it easy to prep ahead. It works with fruit, cookies, or crackers and fits well into a casual Thanksgiving spread where everyone can snack as they want.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dip

Pumpkin Custard

This custard bakes into a smooth, creamy dessert with concentrated pumpkin flavor. It scoops neatly into individual servings and is great for small gatherings when you want something familiar and seasonal that isn’t pie.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Custard

Pumpkin Cheesecake

This cheesecake has a spiced pumpkin filling and a crumb crust that holds together for clean slices. It works well as the main dessert for Thanksgiving since it feels festive and serves a small group without much leftover.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

This quick bread mixes pumpkin, spices, and pockets of chocolate for a loaf that stays moist and holds its shape when sliced. It’s an easy dessert-style option that pairs well with coffee and fits naturally into Thanksgiving menus that skip pie.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread Bottom Cheesecake

This dessert layers a pumpkin bread base with a creamy cheesecake top, giving you two textures in one slice. It cuts cleanly and brings a seasonal feel without needing a traditional pie crust.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Bottom Cheesecake

Dessert Charcuterie Board

This dessert board pulls together dips, cookies, fruit, and small treats so guests can graze at their own pace. It’s flexible for small Thanksgiving gatherings because you can scale it up or down based on how many people are eating.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Board

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This cake combines shredded pumpkin with walnuts and cream cheese frosting for a dessert that’s soft inside with a bit of texture on top. It’s a reliable choice for Thanksgiving when you want something festive that serves easily from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Chewy Pumpkin Butter Mochi Cake

This mochi cake has a chewy texture with pumpkin butter mixed into the batter and a crisp top from the baking process. It cuts into neat squares and works well for anyone who wants a dessert that’s different from pie but still seasonal.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Pumpkin Butter Mochi Cake

Pumpkin Trifle

This layered dessert uses spice cake, pumpkin mix, pudding, gingersnaps, and whipped topping to build something creamy and light. It’s simple to assemble, especially for smaller Thanksgiving gatherings, and scoops easily into clear portions.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Trifle