Thanksgiving may be the holiday of pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies, but there’s no reason to limit the dessert table to the usual favorites. If you’re looking for Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie, there are plenty of delicious options: from creamy Italian tiramisu and French chocolate mousse to spiced pumpkin cakes and cranberry desserts.
Whether you’re looking for an easy Thanksgiving dessert, something you can prepare the day before, or a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table, these ten desserts offer a little something for everyone. We’ve included a few European classics alongside American fall favorites, with plenty of seasonal flavors like apples, pears, pumpkin, cinnamon, and cranberries. Some require no baking at all, while others are worth turning on the oven for.
1. Classic Italian Tiramisu
READ MORE: Lemon Tiramisu
If there’s one dessert that deserves a place on a Thanksgiving table, it’s tiramisu. This Italian classic combines layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers with a smooth mascarpone cream, finished with a generous dusting of cocoa powder.
Tiramisu is particularly well-suited to Thanksgiving because it doesn’t require an oven and benefits from several hours in the refrigerator. Prepare it the evening before, and dessert is already taken care of when your guests arrive. Its coffee flavor also makes a lovely ending to a rich holiday meal. Serve it in a large dish for a family-style gathering, or assemble individual portions in small glasses for a more elegant presentation.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: No baking, easy to prepare ahead, and a welcome change from traditional fall spices.
Serving tip: Dust the top with cocoa powder just before serving for a fresh, velvety finish.
The recipe: Tiramisu Recipe
2. French Apple Clafoutis
Clafoutis is a traditional French dessert, most famously made with cherries, although variations with other fruits are common. An apple version feels especially appropriate for autumn, with tender slices of fruit baked into a soft, custard-like batter.
It’s a wonderfully uncomplicated dessert. The batter comes together with everyday ingredients such as eggs, milk, flour, and sugar, and the oven does most of the work. The result sits somewhere between a delicate pancake and a baked custard, with lightly caramelized edges and a soft center.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Seasonal ingredients, simple preparation, and a lighter alternative to heavily frosted cakes.
Serving tip: Serve slightly warm with a dusting of powdered sugar. A spoonful of crème fraîche is a lovely addition.
The recipe: Caramelized Apple Clafoutis
3. Pumpkin Cheesecake
For anyone who loves pumpkin pie but wants something a little different, pumpkin cheesecake is an excellent compromise.
It keeps the familiar flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, but replaces the traditional pie filling with a rich, creamy cheesecake. A graham cracker or gingersnap crust adds a welcome contrast in texture. Pumpkin cheesecake also has the advantage of being a make-ahead dessert. In fact, baked cheesecakes need time to cool and chill properly, making them ideal for preparing the day before Thanksgiving. For an especially attractive finish, decorate the top with small swirls of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a few candied pecans.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Familiar holiday flavors in a different format, with most of the preparation finished in advance.
Serving tip: Take the cheesecake out of the refrigerator shortly before serving, following the recipe’s guidance, and cut it with a warm, clean knife for neat slices.
The recipe: Pumpkin Cheescake
4. Austrian Apple Strudel
READ MORE: Romanian Apple Pie Recipe
Apple strudel is one of Central Europe’s most beloved desserts, particularly associated with Austria and the Viennese baking tradition. Thin layers of pastry wrap around a filling of sliced apples, cinnamon, sugar, and often raisins and breadcrumbs. Once baked, the pastry becomes beautifully crisp while the apples turn soft and fragrant. Although traditional strudel dough takes some practice, a simpler version made with store-bought phyllo pastry makes this dessert more approachable for home cooks.
Apple strudel brings many of the flavors people expect at Thanksgiving, but with a completely different texture from apple pie.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: A familiar apple-and-cinnamon combination with a European twist.
Serving tip: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a little vanilla sauce. The contrast between the crisp pastry and creamy topping is particularly good.
The recipe: Apple Strudel Recipe by King Arthur Baking
5. Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
Cranberries deserve more attention at Thanksgiving than a small bowl of sauce beside the turkey. Their tart flavor works beautifully in desserts, especially when paired with the brightness of fresh oranges. A cranberry orange Bundt cake is a particularly attractive choice, combining a soft, buttery crumb with bursts of tart fruit. The decorative shape of the Bundt pan means the cake needs very little additional styling. A simple orange glaze, a few sugared cranberries, and some fresh orange zest are enough to make it look festive. It’s also a practical dessert for larger gatherings, since it can be baked in advance and sliced just before serving.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: It can be made ahead; it also brings all the fall spices that your guests will love.
Serving tip: Cover with an orange glaze or sugared cranberries.
The recipe: Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake by Sally’s Baking Addiction
6. French Chocolate Mousse
French chocolate mousse is an elegant option that requires relatively little hands-on work. Made with chocolate and a light, airy base, it has an intense flavor without the density of a chocolate cake. One of its greatest advantages is that it can be portioned into individual glasses and refrigerated ahead of time. When dessert arrives, there’s no slicing or plating required. For Thanksgiving, keep the presentation simple: a little whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a few fresh raspberries are more than enough.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: A no-bake option that’s easy to portion and offers a break from traditional fall flavors.
Serving tip: Use small glasses or espresso cups. After a generous Thanksgiving dinner, a modest serving of chocolate mousse is often just right.
The recipe: Chocolate Mousse
7. British Sticky Toffee Pudding
This British classic consists of a soft sponge cake, traditionally made with dates, served with a warm toffee sauce. Despite its name, it’s closer to a moist cake than the American understanding of pudding. The combination of dark brown sugar, dates, butter, and warm caramel flavors makes it especially appealing during the colder months. It’s also a lovely dessert for Thanksgiving because individual portions can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving. The warm sauce can be added at the last minute.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Deep caramel flavors, a cozy autumn feel, and an impressive presentation without elaborate decoration.
Serving tip: Serve warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of lightly whipped cream.
The recipe: Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding
8. Pear and Almond Cake
Pears are sometimes overlooked in favor of apples and pumpkins, but their delicate sweetness makes them a wonderful ingredient for fall baking. A pear and almond cake is one of the prettiest ways to use them. Almond flour gives the cake a tender, slightly dense texture, while slices of ripe pear add moisture and natural sweetness. This type of cake has an understated elegance that works particularly well for a holiday table. It doesn’t need layers of frosting or elaborate decorations; the fruit itself provides much of the visual appeal. It’s also a good choice for guests who prefer desserts that aren’t excessively sweet.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Seasonal fruit, simple presentation, and a refined alternative to traditional holiday desserts.
Serving tip: Arrange thin pear slices in a fan pattern on top before baking, then finish the cooled cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
The recipe: Pear and Almond Cake
9. Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
A pumpkin roll brings all the familiar flavors of Thanksgiving into a dessert that’s both festive and easy to serve. The cake is made from a thin layer of pumpkin sponge, flavored with warm spices and rolled around a smooth cream cheese filling. Once sliced, it reveals a beautiful spiral of orange cake and white cream. It may look complicated, but the technique becomes much easier once you understand how to roll the cake while it’s still warm and flexible, then fill it after cooling. Pumpkin roll is particularly convenient for Thanksgiving because it can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator until it’s time for dessert.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Classic pumpkin flavor, attractive slices, and convenient preparation the day before.
Serving tip: Arrange the slices slightly overlapping on a long serving platter and dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving.
The recipe: Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
10. Italian Panna Cotta with Cranberry Compote
This Italian classic is made by gently setting sweetened cream with gelatin, creating a silky, delicate texture. Its mild vanilla flavor makes it an ideal base for seasonal toppings. For Thanksgiving, a cranberry compote adds a beautiful ruby-red color and a pleasant tartness that balances the sweetness of the cream. Panna cotta is also one of the most convenient desserts for entertaining. It can be prepared in individual glasses the day before, leaving only the topping to be added before serving.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: No baking, elegant individual portions, and a seasonal cranberry topping.
Serving tip: Use small, clear glasses to show the contrast between the white panna cotta and red cranberry compote.
The recipe: Cranberry and Amareto Pana Cotta
Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts
Thanksgiving cooking often means juggling several dishes and limited oven space. Choosing a dessert that can be prepared in advance makes the day considerably easier. Of the ten desserts in this collection, these are particularly convenient for making ahead:
Tiramisu: Prepare the day before and refrigerate overnight.
Pumpkin cheesecake: Bake ahead and allow plenty of time for cooling and chilling.
Chocolate mousse: Prepare individual servings in advance and keep refrigerated.
Cranberry orange Bundt cake: Bake the previous day and glaze before serving.
Pumpkin roll: Prepare ahead and refrigerate until ready to slice.
Panna cotta: Make the day before and add the cranberry topping shortly before serving.
How to Put Together a Thanksgiving Dessert Table Without Pie
You don’t need ten different desserts to create a memorable Thanksgiving table. Two or three thoughtfully chosen options can offer enough variety without adding unnecessary work. A good starting point is to combine different flavors and textures. For example, a pumpkin cheesecake brings familiar holiday spices, chocolate mousse offers something rich and indulgent, and cranberry panna cotta adds a fresher, fruitier option. For a larger gathering, consider including one cake that can be sliced, one chilled dessert prepared in advance, and one dessert served warm. Presentation can remain simple. Use cake stands of different heights, small glass dishes for individual portions, and a few seasonal decorations such as pears, cranberries, or autumn foliage kept separate from the food. The result can feel festive and generous without requiring an entire day of baking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Desserts
What can I serve for Thanksgiving instead of pie?
Popular alternatives to Thanksgiving pie include pumpkin cheesecake, apple strudel, cranberry orange cake, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, pumpkin roll, and sticky toffee pudding. For a traditional Thanksgiving flavor without a pie crust, pumpkin cheesecake or pumpkin roll are particularly good choices.
What are the easiest Thanksgiving desserts to make?
Some of the easiest options are chocolate mousse, panna cotta, and tiramisu, especially if you want to avoid baking. Cranberry orange Bundt cake and apple clafoutis are also relatively straightforward choices, although they require oven time.
What Thanksgiving desserts can I make the day before?
Tiramisu, cheesecake, panna cotta, chocolate mousse, and pumpkin roll are all suitable for making the day before Thanksgiving when properly refrigerated. Many Bundt cakes can also be baked in advance and decorated shortly before serving.
What are some unique Thanksgiving desserts?
For something beyond traditional American holiday desserts, consider Austrian apple strudel, French apple clafoutis, British sticky toffee pudding, Italian tiramisu, or panna cotta with cranberry compote. These desserts bring different textures and culinary traditions to the Thanksgiving table.
What Thanksgiving desserts don’t contain pumpkin?
There are plenty of Thanksgiving desserts without pumpkin, including apple strudel, pear and almond cake, cranberry orange Bundt cake, chocolate mousse, sticky toffee pudding, tiramisu, and apple clafoutis.
What is a good light dessert after Thanksgiving dinner?
If you’re looking for something less heavy after a large meal, consider a small serving of panna cotta with cranberry compote, apple clafoutis, or chocolate mousse served in individual glasses. Portion size and the particular recipe will make a difference.
For more inspiration, discover our European Thanksgiving Side Dishes and bring a few more flavors from around the world to your holiday table.
THE FARAWAY SELECTION
For the Holiday Table
A considered selection of kitchen and entertaining essentials for the holiday season.
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