Give plain pumpkin pie a rest this year. Instead, start a new tradition and try these Thanksgiving desserts that aren't pie!
The Best Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie
1/34
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pumpkin isn’t only for pies. Now you can take the classic fall vegetable and enjoy it in a tiramisu-style dessert. I promise that after one bite, you’ll add this recipe to your keeper files. —Pam Peters, Fernie, British Columbia
2/34
3/34
Turkey Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Create a simple centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dessert table. The cake comes together fast with the help of a mix, and melted candy coating keeps decorating easy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
4/34
Pumpkin Spice Custard
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love this traditional Crockpot pumpkin spice custard. The added espresso powder gives it a latte effect! —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
5/34
Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple Cake)
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio
6/34
Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Tart
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the flavor combination of spiced pumpkin and chocolate, which inspired me to create this chocolate pumpkin tart. Sometimes I like to sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the chocolate ganache for extra flavor and texture. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
7/34
Easy Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It’s super simple to make since there’s no crust—just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it’s a wholesome treat. —Sheri Hatten, Devil’s Lake, North Dakota
8/34
Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my daughter was 4 months old, my husband and I hosted both of our families for Christmas dinner. I served this cheesecake for dessert. It’s quite festive—it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. —Stacy Dutka, Bienfait, Saskatchewan
10/34
Apple Brandy Pecan Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you’d rather follow a chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
11/34
Apple-Pear Crisp
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The mix of tart apples and ripe pears creates an irresistible fall crisp, blanketed with a perfectly spiced and buttery oat topping. We like it warm from the oven with a spoonful of whipped cream. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
12/34
Toffee-Pear Crisp Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It's absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California
13/34
Pumpkin Charlotte
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit.
—Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois
14/34
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16
From the Recipe Creator:
This fall treat is like two desserts in one! Combine the flavors and textures of perfectly spiced pumpkin cookies and a surprise cheesecake filling. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin
15/34
Heavenly Praline Cake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings (5 cups candied pecans)
From the Recipe Creator:
A moist cake and generous frosting are filled with the fabulous flavor of caramel. The candied pecans are almost a dessert by themselves!—Jennifer Rodriguez, Midland, Texas
16/34
Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderfully light dessert is our standby at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The hint of pumpkin and the refreshing ice cream make a most delicious after-dinner treat. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
17/34
Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
18/34
Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist cake smothered with rich cream cheese frosting makes any dinner festive. Every autumn, I go to a cranberry festival in Wisconsin and load up on fresh cranberries to freeze for year-round cooking. —Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois
19/34
Butter Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fall always makes me yearn for this pecan cheesecake, but it’s delicious in any season. You’ll want to put it on your list of favorite holiday desserts. —Laura Sylvester, Mechanicsville, Virginia
20/34
Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I added pumpkin and subtracted some of the coffee flavor in a tiramisu I developed for a special holiday dinner. A new tradition was born! —Heather Clary, Downingtown, Pennsylvania
21/34
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Kentucky bourbon pecan cheesecake will wow your guests and your taste buds. Serve in spring during the Kentucky Derby or at any other special occasion throughout the year. — Rashanda Cobbins, Aurora, Colorado
22/34
Pumpkin Spice Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake “Thanksgiving Cake” because it’s a tasty alternative to pie, but we don’t relegate it to just that holiday. I think you’ll agree it’s delicious any time of the year.—Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio
23/34
Apple-Walnut Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bread pudding is one of those desserts that you basically can throw anything into. It’s the kitchen sink of desserts. This recipe came about because I had stale bread and apples that needed to be used. No apples? You can use dried fruit such as cranberries or apricots, or even dried apples. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
24/34
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Gingerbread Trifle
Total Time
11 hours 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's more to pumpkin than pie, as this impressive trifle proves. It looks so elegant with alternating layers of gingerbread cake and pumpkin/butterscotch pudding. Try making it ahead of time for a fuss-free dessert when you're planning to entertain guests. —Lyla Lehenbauer, New London, Missouri
25/34
Pecan Pie Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These pecan pie bars are rich and delicious – just like pecan pie! They’re perfect for gatherings…I always come home with an empty pan. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
26/34
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Love chocolate? Then this tender, luxurious layer cake is for you. With a ganache glaze and a fabulous bittersweet filling, the indulgence is so worth it. —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
27/34
Pecan Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pecan pound cake always turns out great. It’s wonderful with a steaming cup of coffee on a chilly winter day. —Fleta West, Hayes, Virginia
28/34
Winning Cranberry Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without cranberries and eggnog. I use them both in this flavorful cheesecake that’s the perfect finale for a special dinner. Set it out at the start of the meal, not just to solicit “oohs” and “aahs,” but to remind folks to save room for dessert! —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
29/34
Upside-Down German Chocolate Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple recipe yields a delectable German chocolate cake that folks will “flip over”! The tempting coconut and pecan “frosting” bakes under the batter and ends up on top when you turn the cake out of the pan.
30/34
Gingered Almond Truffle Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh ginger complements the chocolate truffle filling in this elegant, almost sinful tart. Small servings are best! —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
31/34
Caramel Apple Strudel
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
32/34
Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cranberry cookie bars combine two beloved holiday flavors and top a delicious soft crust with cream cheese icing. We enjoy these during the holiday season. —Jennifer Blakely, Visalia, California
33/34
Pumpkin Mousse
Total Time
10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’ve had your fill of pumpkin pie, this cool and creamy pumpkin mousse is perfect for you. Its light and fluffy texture won’t make you feel “stuffed” after your favorite turkey dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
