The last plates are being cleared, the coffee is on, and the dessert table suddenly needs to hold more than one kind of pie. That’s where a mix of slices, bars, cookies, and individual treats earns its place: guests can choose a little of what sounds good, and there’s room for familiar flavors alongside something different.
Pumpkin and pecan show up often here, but apples, cranberries, chocolate, and maple bring welcome variety. I’ve included classic pies and cozy baked desserts, plus a couple of traditional casseroles for anyone building out the savory side of the Thanksgiving table. Each one has a clear flavor or texture to bring to the spread.
For a balanced menu, pair a richer pie or cheesecake bar with a fruit-forward dessert, then add a cookie or small treat for easy picking. Check each recipe for its own storage and prep guidance before deciding what to make ahead; leave the day-of baking or serving choices that suit your schedule. A casserole or two can round out the meal before dessert begins.
Save these Thanksgiving desserts and savory sides so your holiday menu has pumpkin, pecan, apple, and more covered.
1. Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze
A pecan streusel adds a crunchy contrast to pumpkin coffee cake, while maple glaze brings a sweet finish. It has the cozy spice-and-nut feel that fits naturally on a Thanksgiving dessert table.
Serve it with coffee for an easy afternoon sweet or alongside pie when you want more than one choice. It pairs especially well with #19, Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, for a mix of warm and bright flavors.
2. Mini Pumpkin Pies with Flaky Butter Crust
Individual pumpkin pies bring the familiar spiced filling and flaky butter crust in a smaller format. Their hand-held size offers a tidy alternative to cutting slices at a busy dessert table.
Set them out for a casual gathering or add them beside #3, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie with Homemade Flaky Crust, for two takes on the Thanksgiving classic.
3. Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie with Homemade Flaky Crust
A classic pumpkin filling and homemade flaky crust make this a familiar centerpiece for Thanksgiving dessert. The tender spiced filling against crisp pastry gives each slice the contrast pie lovers expect.
Bring it out after dinner as the traditional option, or serve it with #5, Classic Southern Pecan Pie with Brown Sugar Filling, for a choice between pumpkin and pecan.
4. Pumpkin Pecan Oatmeal Cookies with Maple Icing
Oats and pecans give these pumpkin cookies a hearty bite, and maple icing adds a sweet finish. They bring several Thanksgiving flavors together in a treat that’s easy to pick up between slices of pie.
Add them to a cookie platter or pair them with #13, Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Sea Salt, for a cookie spread with complementary maple and pecan notes.
5. Classic Southern Pecan Pie with Brown Sugar Filling
Pecans and brown sugar make this Southern pie a rich, classic choice for Thanksgiving. The nutty filling gives it a distinct place beside pumpkin and fruit pies.
Cut it for the main dessert course, or offer it alongside #3, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie with Homemade Flaky Crust, so guests can choose between two holiday staples.
6. Pumpkin Pecan Crumb Muffins with Maple Drizzle
A crumb topping gives these pumpkin muffins a little crunch, while pecans and maple drizzle bring extra autumn flavor. Their muffin shape makes them a casual alternative to a plated slice of cake.
They fit a Thanksgiving brunch or a relaxed dessert table. Set them near #1, Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze, for two coffee-friendly pumpkin bakes.
7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
Chocolate brownie and pumpkin cheesecake bring two dessert favorites into one bar. Each bite balances deep chocolate flavor with the creamy, spiced character of pumpkin cheesecake.
Cut them into small pieces for a dessert platter with variety. They contrast nicely with #19, Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, which bring a brighter citrus note.
8. Brown Butter Pecan Blondies with Maple Glaze
Brown butter brings a toasty note to these pecan blondies, with maple glaze adding sweetness on top. Their bar format is a handy counterpoint to all the pies on the Thanksgiving table.
Serve them as a small sweet with coffee or add them to a mixed dessert tray. #12, Classic Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust, makes a fitting companion for another pecan-forward bite.
9. Pecan Pie Brownie Bites
These small bites combine the chocolate richness of brownies with the pecan pie flavor of a holiday favorite. The compact format makes it easy to try one even after a full Thanksgiving meal.
Put them on a dessert tray with #10, Chocolate Pecan Pie Truffles, for a pair of bite-sized chocolate and pecan treats.
10. Chocolate Pecan Pie Truffles
Chocolate and pecan pie flavors meet in a small truffle, offering a rich, no-slice option for the dessert table. Their neat size suits a spread where guests are sampling several sweets.
Arrange them with #9, Pecan Pie Brownie Bites, or tuck them among cookies and bars for variety beyond pie slices.
11. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Coffee Cake with Streusel
A layer of cream cheese and a crumbly streusel add contrast to pumpkin coffee cake. It brings the familiar seasonal flavor with a tangy, creamy element in the middle.
Set it out for a Thanksgiving brunch or add it to the dessert spread with coffee. For another pumpkin bake with a crunchy topping, pair it with #1, Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze.
12. Classic Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust
Pecan pie filling sits over a shortbread crust in these bars, combining a nutty top with a buttery base. They offer the taste of pecan pie in a format that’s easy to add to a dessert platter.
Serve them beside #8, Brown Butter Pecan Blondies with Maple Glaze, for two bar-style options with pecans and brown-butter notes.
13. Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Sea Salt
Toasty brown butter, maple, and pecans give these cookies a warm, nutty flavor, while sea salt provides a savory edge. That sweet-salty balance stands out among richer Thanksgiving desserts.
Arrange them with #4, Pumpkin Pecan Oatmeal Cookies with Maple Icing, for a cookie platter that keeps the pecans but varies the flavor.
14. Apple Pie Cheesecake Dessert Cups
Apple pie flavor and cheesecake come together in individual dessert cups, combining fruit and creamy richness without another full pie. The single-portion presentation adds a different shape to the holiday spread.
They work well when you want a plated dessert option alongside cookies and bars. Pair them with #27, Apple Cranberry Crisp with Oat Streusel Topping, for two apple desserts with different textures.
15. Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars
These bars combine creamy cheesecake with pumpkin spice, giving a familiar pie-season flavor in a sliceable format. They’re a good fit for anyone who wants pumpkin on the table beyond a traditional pie.
Offer them with #7, Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies, for two pumpkin-and-cream-cheese desserts with different bases.
16. Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats
Pumpkin pie flavor meets the crisp, chewy appeal of Rice Krispie treats in this playful dessert. It’s a lighter-feeling change of pace from pie slices and dense bars.
Cut or arrange them as part of a casual dessert table, especially alongside #17, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches, for another informal pumpkin treat.
17. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches
Pumpkin and chocolate chips bring seasonal spice and chocolate together, while the sandwich format makes each cookie feel like its own dessert. They add a fun, handheld choice to a table full of slices.
Set them out with #18, Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling, for two small sandwich-style pumpkin sweets.
18. Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
Soft pumpkin whoopie pies sandwich a cream cheese filling for a creamy, spiced bite. Their mini size is a natural fit for a dessert platter where everyone can sample more than one sweet.
Serve them alongside #17, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches, or mix them with cookies for a small-treat selection.
19. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Buttery shortbread gets a bright lift from cranberry and orange, bringing a tart, citrusy note to a table filled with rich pies and chocolate. The crisp cookie texture adds another welcome contrast.
Arrange these on a cookie plate or pair them with #7, Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies, to balance the deeper chocolate and pumpkin flavors.
20. Caramel Apple Pie Bombs with Cinnamon Sugar
Apple pie filling, caramel, and cinnamon sugar bring the cozy flavors of a fall pie into a small dessert. The sweet coating gives each bite a little crunch against the apple center.
Serve them as a warm, casual dessert option or set them near #24, Classic Apple Pie with Buttery Lattice Crust, for two expressions of apple pie flavor.
21. Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies
These thumbprint cookies bring pecan pie flavor into a small, easy-to-serve cookie. The shape gives the dessert table a neat bite-sized option among slices and bars.
Add them to a mixed cookie platter or serve them with #13, Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies with Sea Salt, for a couple of pecan-focused choices.
22. Apple Pie Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
Apple pie flavors meet cream cheese and crescent-roll pastry in a compact bake with a soft, flaky contrast. It’s an approachable way to bring apple dessert to the table without another whole pie.
Serve them at brunch or with the after-dinner sweets. They pair well with #25, Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, for a southern-inspired dessert spread.
23. Classic Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Onions
Green beans and crispy fried onions make this a familiar savory dish for the Thanksgiving meal. The crunchy topping adds texture to the creamy casserole beneath.
Serve it with the main meal rather than on the dessert table. It joins #28, Cheddar Broccoli Casserole with Crispy Ritz Cracker Topping, as another crisp-topped side option.
24. Classic Apple Pie with Buttery Lattice Crust
Apple filling beneath a buttery lattice crust makes this a timeless choice for Thanksgiving. The open pastry top shows off the fruit and gives the pie a crisp, golden finish.
Bring it to the table as the fruit-pie option, or serve it with #3, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie with Homemade Flaky Crust, for a classic pairing of holiday pies.
25. Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie with Cinnamon and Nutmeg
Sweet potato pie gets its warm spice from cinnamon and nutmeg, making it a natural fit for a Thanksgiving dessert spread. It offers a distinct alternative to pumpkin while keeping the comforting spiced-pie feel.
Serve it with other traditional pies or alongside #3, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie with Homemade Flaky Crust, for two familiar spiced fillings.
26. Pumpkin Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
A tender pumpkin cake wrapped around cream cheese filling gives each slice a clear swirl and a balance of spice and tang. It’s a striking change of shape from the pies and bars on a Thanksgiving table.
Slice it for a dessert plate or bring it out with #15, Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars, for two pumpkin-and-cream-cheese desserts.
27. Apple Cranberry Crisp with Oat Streusel Topping
Apple and cranberry bring sweet-tart fruit flavor under a crunchy oat streusel topping. It’s a welcome contrast to pastry-crust pies and adds a brighter fruit dessert to the spread.
Serve it as a spoonable alternative to pie, or pair it with #14, Apple Pie Cheesecake Dessert Cups, to compare a crisp topping with a creamy dessert.
28. Cheddar Broccoli Casserole with Crispy Ritz Cracker Topping
Broccoli and cheddar make a hearty savory casserole, topped with crispy Ritz crackers for a crunchy finish. It brings a cheesy, comforting side to the Thanksgiving meal.
Put it on the dinner table with #23, Classic Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Onions, for two familiar baked sides with contrasting toppings.
29. Old Fashioned Apple Cobbler with Cinnamon Biscuit Topping
Warm apple filling and a cinnamon biscuit topping give this cobbler a homespun feel, with a soft biscuit contrast to the fruit beneath. It’s a comforting alternative to a pastry-crust apple pie.
Serve it as a relaxed, spoonable dessert after Thanksgiving dinner. For another apple dessert with a different texture, set it alongside #27, Apple Cranberry Crisp with Oat Streusel Topping.
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Menu From These Recipes
For anything you’d like to prepare ahead, check the individual recipe for storage and make-ahead guidance before adding it to your schedule. Pies, cookies, and bars give you several formats to consider, but use each recipe’s instructions rather than assuming they all store the same way.
On Thanksgiving Day, plan around oven space and serving temperature. Choose the recipes that fit your kitchen schedule, and save room for a fresh-baked or warm dessert if that’s part of your menu; the green bean and broccoli casseroles belong with the meal, not the sweets.
There’s no need to make all 29. Pick one or two pies, add a bar or cookie for smaller portions, and include a fruit dessert if you want a brighter contrast. If you’re serving a full meal, choose only the savory sides your table needs and keep the dessert spread varied rather than oversized.
Questions About Planning Thanksgiving Food
Thanksgiving desserts are easier to plan when the table has a mix of classic slices and small bites, with a little tart fruit to balance the richer sweets. Add the savory casseroles to the meal, then finish with pumpkin, pecan, apple, or cranberry on the dessert plate.
