Hi Reader,

Last week, we shared our go-to Thanksgiving mains and sides. Now it's time to talk about the part of the meal everyone’s secretly most excited about: dessert!

Pumpkin pie is classic, but it’s not the only option. Here are eight alternatives that are sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving table.

When You Want Something Lighter

Our Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake Bars are tangy, airy, and feel way less heavy than traditional pumpkin pie. The ricotta is an Italian trick that keeps things light while still delivering all those warm spices you crave.
​Make Ahead: Make it up to 4 days in advance!

These Spiced Cranberry Pear Hand Pies are perfect if you’re doing a buffet-style dessert spread. Portable, not too sweet, and the cranberry-pear combo is seriously underrated.
​Make Ahead: Make them up to 3 days ahead!

For Chocolate Lovers

If it’s not a party until chocolate shows up, you need this Almond Butter Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart. Make-ahead-friendly and a total showstopper, with layers of almond butter, caramel, and rich chocolate.

Or go for the Hawaiian Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie inspired by Ted’s Bakery on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s dairy-free but tastes incredibly indulgent — coconut cream does magical things.
​Make Ahead: Make it up to 2 days in advance!

The Twists On The Classics

Want an apple dessert that's sure to impress? This Flaky Phyllo Apple Prune Tart (also called Pastis Gascon) looks complicated but is actually easier than traditional apple pie. Layers of delicate phyllo wrap around sweet apples, and it's a stunner to look at.
​Make Ahead: Make it up to 2 days in advance!

If it's not Thanksgiving until you've had a pecan dessert, try these Pecan Pie Maple Shortbread Bars. They have all the flavor of pecan pie without the fuss of rolling out crust and are bite-sized so guests can eat more than one dessert without overindulging.
​Make Ahead: Make it up to 4 days in advance!

For The Adventurous

Got persimmons? The Spiced Persimmon Pudding isn’t actually pudding — it’s more like a boozy, spiced cake bar. If you’re tired of the usual suspects, this might be your new tradition.
​Make Ahead: Make it up to 3 days in advance!

Or make these Ginger Sugared Pear Fritters fresh and hot for a dramatic finish. They take effort, but for Thanksgiving? Totally worth it.
​Make Ahead: Make it up to 3 days in advance!

You can explore all these, plus cocktails, appetizers, and more, in our complete Thanksgiving recipe collection.

Whatever you make, remember: dessert is supposed to be fun! Pick what sounds good to you, not what you think you “should” make.

P.S. Dreaming of French pastry shops or Hawaiian haupia pie? We’re booking 2026 travel now. Tell us where you want to go.