Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table with those that you love. It is about sharing laughs, catching up on hugs, and indulging in our favorite foods that make your heart (and stomach) happy. And let’s be honest, while the turkey is fantastical, the real stars of any Thanksgiving table are the Thanksgiving Desserts.
Can you have Thanksgiving without the comforting flavor of pumpkin? That is why we have compiled a list of our favorite Thanksgiving desserts with pumpkin. So grab your apron, and let’s make something special.
1. Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cake
What I love about this recipe is its simplicity— it uses a box cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree, making it a breeze to prepare. You’ll find that making this recipe is a piece of cake, pardon the pun.
2. Pumpkin Spice Cookies
A plate of these make a warm welcome for just-arriving guests and are easy to whip up in batches: a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree make it so. A little more pumpkin spice punches up that fall-theme aroma, too.
3. Pumpkin Spice Syrup
This makes an amazing latte, but it’s also great over oatmeal and chia pudding too. It’s not really thick enough for waffles or pancakes, though.
4. Pumpkin Cheesecake
This no-bake recipe is simple and perfect for Thanksgiving. You only need a few ingredients to create a dessert that will impress everyone. The best part? You can make it ahead, relieving the stress of last-minute preparations.
5. Pumpkin Roll Cake
This classic pumpkin roll is a pumpkin cake with a creamy cream cheese frosting. It is light, fluffy, and full of pumpkin spice flavor. If you’re worried about cracking, the key is to roll the cake while it’s warm and flexible.
6. Pumpkin Mousse
Pumpkin mousse is a quick and easy dessert that’s rich and airy. With just five ingredients, it’s super simple to prepare. I love this recipe for Thanksgiving dessert because it is rich but not too filling after a big meal.
7. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Pumpkin snickerdoodles are chewy and gooey, with a mix of cooled brown butter, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon sugar, with crispy edges and soft centers.
8. Pumpkin Tiramisu
You can assemble this simply and serve it from the baking dish, or you can step it up and serve it as a cake with lady fingers surrounding it in a trifle bowl.
9. Classic Pumpkin Cake
The cake is perfectly spiced, especially moist, and layered with sweet cream cheese frosting flavored with cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
10. Pumpkin Lava Cake
Topped with vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon, with chopped pecans and caramel sauce at the bottom, this one is full of surprises.
11. Pumpkin Brownies
These pumpkin brownies are a unique Thanksgiving dessert idea. Decadent and rich, the chocolate combination with the spiced pumpkin is an unexpected flavor delight.
12. Pumpkin Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream can feel overwhelming, but this no-churn ice cream recipe is as easy as it gets. You got this! This recipe will only require about 15 minutes of prep time, and then you can leave it in the freezer until it is time to serve it.
13. Pumpkin Dump Cake
This dump cake tastes a lot like a cobbler because it has a crisp, puffy top. It’s a good dessert to make in advance, too.
14. Mini Pumpkin Cream Pies
I love that they are mini cream pies, so everyone gets their own. And it’s always nice to save oven time—this one is a no-bake recipe!
15. Pumpkin Fluff Dip
For the guests who like just a little sweet something, an apple slice or two dipped into this rich yet light pumpkin fluff dip will be oh-so-pleased.
More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes, great all year-round!
The bottom line
I’d like to think some of these Thanksgiving dessert recipes are unique compared to the typical desserts that we often serve. If you’re ready to sidestep from the usual pumpkin pie, this list may help inspire you also!
If you’ve made it down this far, maybe you’d like a handy guide to know if and when canned pumpkin starts to go bad. Sometimes it’s hard to tell.