Finding creative, unique dishes to serve at your Thanksgiving feast isn’t always easy. Substituting stuffing cups for turkey and healthy veggie skewers for mashed potatoes are two options, but what can you make for dessert that’s not the oh-so-beloved pumpkin or apple pie? Sure, there are some crazy pumpkin pie alternatives out there that look totally delish. If you’d rather skip the pies altogether, though, we have a few ideas up our sleeve. These 29 Thanksgiving desserts are decidedly NOT pie, and they’re totally calling our name this year.
1. Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake: Nothing says Thanksgiving like a good old-fashioned Snickers bar, right? Maybe that’s just us… Still, this Snickers-inspired cake is TO DIE FOR. It has three layers of topping: frosting, melted chocolate and gooey caramel. (via Half-Baked Harvest)
2. Pumpkin Pie Nicecream: If you’re not a fan of pumpkin pie in its traditional form, give this ice cream concoction a try. It’s 100% vegan, too, so it’ll surely please every member of the family this Thanksgiving. (via Feasting On Fruit)
3. Pumpkin Churros: Churros are fried Mexican sticks of dough topped with sweet confectioner’s sugar. However, these aren’t your traditional churros. They’re made fluffier and doughier, thanks to the eggs and butter inside, and they’re flavored with sweet, seasonal pumpkin. Bonus points for the chocolate dipping sauce. (via Broma Bakery)
4. No-Bake Bourbon Pecan Pie Cheesecakes: These bad boys are AMAZING. You’ll cook the pecan filling on the stovetop for just one minute (don’t go longer, or your filling will turn out tough!), then transfer to the fridge before making the rest of this no-bake dessert. Simple as not-pie. (via How Sweet It Is)
5. Chocolate Dipped Pears With Almond Crunch: The health nuts in your crew will *love* these healthy, indulgent pears. And bonus, they’re also super pretty for your tablescape. (via Bakers Royale)
6. Pecan Pie Cake Roll: This is actually a pretty traditional dessert when you think about it, and it pretty much screams Southern Thanksgiving. The key to this recipe’s rollable dough will be your eggs: Make sure to beat them for about three minutes, and then take care not to over-mix when you combine your ingredients. (via Home Made Interest)
7. Chocolate Turtle Apple Slices: Kids and adults alike will want to nom on these dolled-up apple treats. There are only five ingredients in this recipe, too, which can save you a little time and money during Thanksgiving day prep. (via Mom Loves Baking)
8. Pumpkin Cannoli: Whether you and your fam are Italian or not, this cannoli recipe is sure to impress with its fluffy pumpkin-ricotta filling. The pumpkin flavor comes from pureed pumpkin… You can make your own or buy it canned to save on time. (via Roxana’s Home Baking)
9. Apple Cider Cupcakes With Brown Sugar Buttercream: Cupcakes aren’t just for birthdays and weddings, they can be PERFECT for Turkey Day too! These cakes showcase all the flavors of fall, including apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. (via Wishes And Dishes)
10. Pumpkin Spice Truffles: These delicious and fall-flavored truffles are filled with pumpkin, graham cracker crumbs and cream cheese, creating a smooth and sweet indulgence for your taste buds. Pro tip: DO NOT skimp on the chilling time. The filling really needs to set in the fridge before it’ll be ready to use in the truffles. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)
11. Pecan Pie Bars: Cream, brown sugar, pecans and honey line the top of these indulgent pecan bars. These are a perfect option for making ahead of time, which means you can concentrate on other things come Thanksgiving Day. (via Just A Taste)
12. Maple Glazed Apple Fritter Donut Holes: These donut holes would be a perfect light, sweet breakfast to tide your guests over until Thanksgiving dinner. Wait, did we just say “light” breakfast? Yep, these are made with sugar-free syrup, olive oil and stevia, making them a lightened-up version of traditional donut holes. (via Cafe Delites)
13. Apple Tarts With Rosemary-Lime Sugar: These elegant tarts would also make for a some good brekky, but they wouldn’t be out of place as a dessert either. The combination of rosemary and lime sugar is exactly what makes this recipe so incredibly yummy and unique. (via Nerds With Knives)
14. Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake: If you have any vegan guests coming for the holidays, serve up this completely plant-based cheesecake, which is made with pureed pumpkin, soaked cashews, maple syrup, coconut oil, medjool dates and walnuts. Pick up some coconut whipped cream to top the cake vegan-style. (via Minimalist Baker)
15. Pumpkin Creme Brûlée: This creme brûlée is different from others in that, rather than whipping the sugar into the egg whites, you dissolve it into the cream. This makes the result less frothy, more creamy, and SUPER delicious. (via Baking A Moment)
16. Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler: This AMAZING cobbler is *kinda* like a pumpkin lava cake, only it’s made in cobbler form (in a casserole dish) and baked in the oven. Serve it warm with vanilla bean ice cream for the perfect after-dinner treat. (via Lauren’s Latest)
17. Rosemary Corn Cake With Honey and Brown Butter Butterceam: Yes, this rich and indulgent cake is actually made with cornmeal, as well as apple cider and rosemary. The frosting is made with butter, sugar and honey, making this cake just unique enough to be interesting but still a complete crowd-pleaser. (via Adventures In Cooking)
18. Incredibly Gooey Collapsing Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Custard Cake: This super-scrumptious custard cake is so gooey that it completely collapses in on itself. The bottom is lined with a rich layer of oozing chocolate, and that’s just the start — the rest of the cake is made with bourbon, pecans, custard and molasses, for crying out loud. (via Half Baked Harvest)
19. Bloomin’ Baked Apples: Apple season is here! And you know what that means: delicious, homemade apple desserts like this caramel-covered cinnamon concoction. (via The Gunny Sack)
20. Chocolate Covered Roasted Pumpkin Seed Turtle Clusters: Simply sprinkle on some salt and add a little olive oil for easy roasted pumpkin seeds. To top it all off, add as much chocolate as your heart desires. (via Half Baked Harvest)
21. Apple Cinnamon Crepes: Apple pie meets crepes. A love story that needs to happen this Thanksgiving. Yes, we said it. The best part? These would make a delicious breakfast, too. (via Julia’s Album)
22. Apple Tarts With Rosemary-Lime Sugar: An apple tart is the obvious solution for anyone who may fear guests complaining about no apple pie. Finish off this tart treat with a sweet spread of apricot jelly or jam. (via Nerds With Knives)
23. Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Blondies: Sneak some dried cranberries into this chewy blondie mix for the perfect holiday bar cookie. Just don’t forget to make extras, because guests will surely want to take some home. (via The Recipe Rebel)
24. French Pumpkin Cheesecake: Just when you thought cheesecake couldn’t get any better! This melt-on-your-tongue recipe is sure to make everyone’s Thanksgiving a whole lot better. (via Mon Petit Four)
25. Easy Peanut Butter Cup Fudge With Salted Bourbon Sugar: For those of you still wishing Halloween wasn’t over, bring back those treats for a mouth-watering peanut butter cup fudge. Don’t forget to save this recipe for some holiday gift giving, too. (via Half Baked Harvest)
26. Pumpkin Churro Donuts: Bet you didn’t think it could get any better. Pumpkin churros totally need to be an everyday thing this fall. (via Broma Bakery)
27. Profiteroles With Cranberry Caramel Sauce and Maple Spiced Pecans: If you’re up for a challenge, fancy up your Thanksgiving meal with this delectable dessert. Your guests will be duly impressed. (via Lisa Is Cooking)
28. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Lava Cake: You’ve probably heard of a chocolate lava cake. But, what about pumpkin spice lava cake? YUM. (via Love Bakes Good Cakes)
29. Pumpkin Pocky: These fun sticks are just as easy to make as they are to grab and go. Make Thanksgiving goodie bags for everyone to take home… along with all of the other leftovers, of course. (via Thirsty for Tea)
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With additional reporting by Maggie McCracken.