Our guide on the most popular Desserts for Thanksgiving for you to try at home.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in rich, comforting desserts that celebrate the flavors of the season. Here are some of the most popular Thanksgiving desserts, along with recipes, tips for success, and an estimate of calories per serving.
Thanksgiving desserts are as comforting as the meal itself. Whether you stick to classic pies or try something modern like cranberry cheesecake, these recipes will bring warmth and sweetness to your holiday table.
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Most Popular Desserts for Thanksgiving
1. Pumpkin Pie
Why It’s Popular: A Thanksgiving classic, pumpkin pie features a creamy, spiced filling and buttery crust.
Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
1 cup heavy cream
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 unbaked pie crust
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Whisk together pumpkin puree, cream, eggs, sugar, and spices until smooth.
Pour into the pie crust and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until set. Cool before serving, ideally with whipped cream.
Calories: ~320 per slice (1/8 of a 9-inch pie).
Tips:
Use fresh spices for maximum flavor. Prevent cracks by not overbaking; the center should still jiggle slightly when done.
2. Pecan Pie
Why It’s Popular: This rich and nutty pie is a crowd-pleaser, with its gooey filling and crunchy pecans.
Ingredients:
1 cup light corn syrup
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1 unbaked pie crust
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla until combined. Arrange pecans in the crust and pour filling over them. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the filling is set.
Calories: ~500 per slice (1/8 of a 9-inch pie).
Tips:
Cover the edges of the crust with foil if they brown too quickly. Toast pecans for extra depth of flavor.
3. Apple Pie
Why It’s Popular: A timeless favorite, apple pie combines tender spiced apples with a flaky crust.
Ingredients:
6–7 apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp butter
1 double pie crust
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss apple slices with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Fill the bottom crust with apples and dot with butter. Cover with the top crust, sealing and venting it. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
Calories: ~350 per slice (1/8 of a 9-inch pie).
Tips:
Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for better flavor. Brush the crust with an egg wash for a golden finish.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
Why It’s Popular: Sweet potato pie offers a velvety filling with a similar flavor profile to pumpkin pie but with a unique twist.
Ingredients:
2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup evaporated milk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 unbaked pie crust
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine sweet potatoes, milk, eggs, sugar, spices, and vanilla in a bowl. Pour into pie crust and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until set.
Calories: ~290 per slice (1/8 of a 9-inch pie).
Tips:
Roast sweet potatoes instead of boiling for a richer flavor. Serve with whipped cream or a dollop of marshmallow fluff.
5. Cranberry Cheesecake
Why It’s Popular: This dessert combines tangy cranberries with creamy cheesecake for a festive touch.
Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup cranberry sauce
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter; press into a springform pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs and vanilla. Pour batter into crust and swirl cranberry sauce on top. Bake for 50–60 minutes. Cool and refrigerate before serving.
Calories: ~400 per slice (1/12 of a 9-inch cheesecake).
Tips:
Use fresh cranberry sauce for a homemade touch. Let the cheesecake cool gradually to avoid cracks.
6. Pumpkin Roll
Why It’s Popular: A spiced pumpkin cake rolled with cream cheese filling is both delicious and visually stunning.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup powdered sugar (for filling)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Combine. Spread batter in the pan and bake for 13–15 minutes. Roll the warm cake in a towel, then unroll and spread with filling. Re-roll and chill. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Calories: ~320 per slice (1/12 of the roll).
Tips:
Roll the cake while it’s still warm to prevent cracking. Chill the roll well before slicing for cleaner cuts.
7. Pecan Pie Bars
Why It’s Popular: These handheld treats offer all the flavor of pecan pie in a portable bar.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup sugar
2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, powdered sugar, and butter; press into a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
Combine eggs, corn syrup, sugar, and pecans; pour over crust. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until set. Cool and cut into bars.
Calories: ~300 per bar (depending on size).
Tips:
Let bars cool completely before cutting for clean edges. Add chocolate chips for a twist on the classic.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.