Pumpkin pie might be the Thanksgiving cliché, but if you want to give the dessert table a little personality this year, these non-pumpkin treats bring all the festive vibes without following the pumpkin-flavored herd. From tart cranberries to rich chocolate and buttery crumbles, these desserts are proof you can serve up serious holiday flavor without a single pumpkin in sight.

A cranberry tart on a plate with rosemary sprigs.
Cranberry Curd Tart. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp

Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pear and quince crisp is loaded with fall flavors like orange and ginger, baked to golden perfection. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for a Thanksgiving dessert that smells and tastes just right for the season.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp

Cranberry Curd Tart

A cranberry curd tart on a plate with rosemary sprigs and candied lemon slices.
Cranberry Curd Tart. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cranberry curd tart skips the pumpkin and leans into bold, tangy cranberry flavor. With a smooth filling in a nutty oat crust, it’s festive, eye-catching, and perfect for impressing your Thanksgiving crowd.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Curd Tart

Peanut Butter Oreo Pie

Peanut Butter Oreo Pie. Photo credit: Sift with Kima.

Peanut butter fans, this one’s for you. An Oreo crust, creamy peanut butter filling, and a topping of peanut butter cups make this pie great for anyone who wants a fun and easy dessert that screams celebration.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Oreo Pie

Banoffee Tart

Banoffee Tart. Photo credit: Sift with Kima.

Banoffee tart is as easy as it is unforgettable. A graham cracker crust layered with dulce de leche, bananas, and whipped cream proves you don’t need pumpkin to steal the Thanksgiving dessert spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Banoffee Tart

Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie. Photo credit: Enza’s Quail Hollow Kitchen.

Ricotta pie brings old-world charm to the holiday table with its creamy ricotta filling inside a sweet pastry crust. It’s proof that Thanksgiving desserts don’t have to revolve around pumpkin to feel festive.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Chocolate Budino With Kahlua Mascarpone Cream

Chocolate Budino With Kahlua Mascarpone Cream. Photo credit: Enza’s Quail Hollow Kitchen.

Chocolate budino is smooth, rich, and downright luxurious, topped with mascarpone and a splash of Kahlua. This easy dessert is the perfect way to add a little drama to your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Budino With Kahlua Mascarpone Cream

Strawberry White Chocolate Pie

Strawberry White Chocolate Pie. Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

Strawberry white chocolate pie blends sweet strawberries and creamy white chocolate in a pie that feels just right for Thanksgiving. Skip the pumpkin and let this dessert do the heavy lifting for your holiday finale.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry White Chocolate Pie

Holiday Carrot Casserole

Holiday Carrot Casserole. Photo credit: the feathered nester.

This carrot casserole turns a humble veggie into a dessert centerpiece. With its crumbly topping and baked perfection, it’s a creative, no-pumpkin-needed option for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Carrot Casserole

Pear Crumble

Pear Crumble. Photo credit: the feathered nester.

Pear crumble is an easy go-to dessert with tender pears under a buttery, crumbly topping. Perfect for adding a comforting and crowd-pleasing option to your Thanksgiving dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Pear Crumble

Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Pudding. Photo credit: Plates By Nat.

This chocolate pudding is silky smooth and made with just a handful of ingredients. A little peanut butter gives it a fun twist, making it a quick and great addition to Thanksgiving without a hint of pumpkin.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pudding

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: My Suburban Kitchen.

Pecan pie bars are all the flavors of classic pecan pie packed into bite-sized squares. Great for those who want a dessert that’s simple to serve and free of anything pumpkin-related.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

Mini Crustless Cranberry Pie

Mini Crustless Cranberry Pie. Photo credit: Dinners Done Quick.

These mini cranberry pies skip the crust but keep all the flavor. Packed with fresh cranberries, they’re easy to whip up and add a festive touch to any Thanksgiving dessert lineup.
Get the Recipe: Mini Crustless Cranberry Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Peanut butter pie is a no-bake wonder with a creamy filling and a crunchy chocolate crust. This dessert is fun to make and even better to eat, proving Thanksgiving desserts don’t need pumpkin to shine.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Lasagna

Peanut Butter Lasagna. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Layers of chocolate, peanut butter, and cream come together in this no-bake dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s decadent, easy, and guaranteed to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Lasagna

Chocolate Layer Cake

Chocolate Layer Cake. Photo credit: Plates By Nat.

This rich chocolate cake, topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh blueberries, is a crowd-pleaser. It’s a bold and fun dessert to serve at Thanksgiving for those ready to skip the pumpkin.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Layer Cake

No Bake S’mores Bark

No Bake S’mores Bark. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

S’mores bark is all the fun of campfire treats packed into a no-bake dessert. With just four ingredients, it’s easy to make and a fun way to bring something different to Thanksgiving dessert time.
Get the Recipe: No Bake S’mores Bark

Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Apple Crumble Cheesecake. Photo credit: The Unlikely Baker.

Apple crumble cheesecake layers salted caramel apples, creamy cheesecake, and a pecan crumble topping. It’s the ultimate fall dessert without a pumpkin in sight, perfect for your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Delicious Orange Flan

Delicious Orange Flan. Photo credit: A Latin Flair.

Orange flan adds a creamy, citrusy flair to your Thanksgiving spread. With cream cheese and homemade orange syrup, it’s a simple yet show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for impressing guests.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Orange Flan

Cranberry Tartlets

Cranberry Tartlets. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These cranberry tartlets are as pretty as they are flavorful. With silky cranberry curd in buttery tart shells, they’re festive, easy to make ahead, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight from pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Tartlets

Rustic Cranberry Galette

Rustic Cranberry Galette. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cranberry galette is a casual but striking dessert that swaps pumpkin for bold, tart berries. Made with cranberries, raspberries, and orange, it’s great for adding something special to the Thanksgiving lineup.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Cranberry Galette

Caramel Shortbread Bars

Caramel Shortbread Bars. Photo credit: Basics with Bails.

Caramel shortbread bars stack a buttery base, chewy caramel, and a rich chocolate layer into one dessert. They’re easy to make and the perfect no-pumpkin-needed addition to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Shortbread Bars

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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