43 Easy and Unique Thanksgiving Desserts That Go Beyond the Basic

Year to year, your Thanksgiving meal probably doesn't change much. You'll likely eat a turkey, some mashed potatoes, and maybe some vegetables on the side — but your dessert can be anything you want it to be. If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year or on dessert duty for Friendsgiving or the holiday itself, this is the part of the meal where you can really shine.

Sure, you could buy a premade pie, but with such delicious-looking and unique Thanksgiving dessert ideas out there — like the 42 recipes below — it's hard to skip on making something homemade. That doesn't mean you need to sweat over the oven or stove for hours, either. Some of the recipes listed here are no-bake, make-ahead, and easy for even the biggest of groups.

You can stick with fall flavor staples, like pumpkin and apple, or venture into the untraditional, like peanut butter, chocolate, or even chai. We rounded up Thanksgiving dessert options across all these flavors and more, whether you're looking for a pie, cookies, truffles, cakes, or even ice cream. Read through to see the best unique Thanksgiving desserts, and don't forget to save room — you'll want it when these dishes hit the table.

01
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

These adorable no-bake pumpkin cheesecake dessert cups can be put together in no time and require zero baking.

02
Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Crunch Cake
Shugary Sweets

Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Evoke the flavors of fall with this sweet and salty pumpkin crunch cake cake.

03
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding
The Gunny Sack

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding

The best part about this slow cooker pumpkin pecan bread pudding?You can throw these ingredients into your slow cooker, and forget about it while you work on the rest of your Thanksgiving meal.

04
Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

The traditional pumpkin pie gets an update with the graham cracker crust in this recipe for pumpkin pie.

05
Apple Crumble Bars
A Saucy Kitchen

Apple Crumble Bars

These apple crumble bars are just like an apple crisp, but they don't require any apple peeling and are bite-sized for a handy Thanksgiving dessert.

06
Apple Crisp
Cooking Classy

Apple Crisp

You can also stick with the classic apple crisp with this recipe — which pairs so well with vanilla ice cream.

07
Pecan Pie Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pecan Pie Cookies

These pecan pie cookies are a great bite-sized dessert after a big Thanksgiving meal, and they're especially handy if you want to take a few on the road with you.

08
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bar Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bar Cookies

These pumpkin cream cheese bar cookies are like all your favorite desserts in one — pumpkin pie, cheesecake, and cookies — and make for a really unique Thanksgiving dessert.

09
Pecan Pie Bars
Cookies and Cups

Pecan Pie Bars

Deconstruct your pecan pie to make these yummy pecan pie bars instead.

10
Coconut Oil Apple Crisp
Pinch of Yum

Coconut Oil Apple Crisp

Switch up the apple crisp recipe by making it with coconut oil, like this recipe does. It may not be completely untraditional, but this coconut oil apple crisp is sure to please everyone at your table.

11
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Spiced

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Surprise all your Thanksgiving dinner guests with a completely different dessert, like this no-bake peanut butter pie. Who says you have to serve something autumnal?

12
Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie
Spicy Southern Kitchen

Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie

The marshmallow in this
pumpkin pie
recipe makes for an extra fluffy filling.

13
No Bake Caramel Swirl Apple Butter Cheesecake
Homemade In the Kitchen

No Bake Caramel Swirl Apple Butter Cheesecake

When it comes time for Thanksgiving dessert, serve cheesecake with a fall twist with this no bake caramel swirl apple butter cheesecake.

15
Pumpkin Pie Truffles
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Pumpkin Pie Truffles

Truffles are great for Thanksgiving dessert since everyone can find room in their stomach for at least one. These pumpkin pie truffles use seasonal flavors to stay festive.

16
Mason Jar Salted Caramel Cheesecake
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Mason Jar Salted Caramel Cheesecake

The best part about these mason jar salted caramel cheesecakes is that they're single-serve, so you can pop any leftovers in the fridge for later or send extras home with guests.

17
Pumpkin Cheesecake Gingersnap Ice Cream
Girl Versus Dough

Pumpkin Cheesecake Gingersnap Ice Cream

Ice cream is perfect after any meal, and this pumpkin cheesecake gingersnap ice cream is even better; making your own with these fall flavors turns the classic frozen treat into a special Thanksgiving dessert.

18
No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake Phyllo Cups
Homemade In the Kitchen

No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake Phyllo Cups

Who doesn't love a tiny dessert that you can eat with your hands? In leiu of making a whole pie, try these little no bake apple pie cheesecake phyllo cups.

19
Butternut Squash Pie
Alexandra's Kitchen

Butternut Squash Pie

This may look like pumpkin pie, but it's a different fall flavor. Say hellow to butternut squash pie, your new favorite unique Thanksgiving dessert.

20
Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe for pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting is a refreshing departure from pumpkin pie, but still packs all the same classic flavors.

22
Orange Chiffon Cake With Sparkling Cranberries
Sprinkle Bakes

Orange Chiffon Cake With Sparkling Cranberries

This beautiful orange chiffon cake with sparkling cranberries will make a beautiful centerpiece — and a delicious Thanksgiving dessert.

23
Cranberry Gingerbread Cake
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cranberry Gingerbread Cake

Gingerbread isn't just for cookies! Try it as a cake with a hint of cranberry in this recipe for cranberry gingerbread cake.

24
Cranberry Curd Shortbread Tart
The Farmer's Daughter

Cranberry Curd Shortbread Tart

This cranberry curd shortbread tart will be a refreshing follow-up to your hearty Thanksgiving meal.

25
Walnut and Angostura Pie

Walnut and Angostura Pie

This walnut and angostura pie is a truly unique Thanksgiving dessert. Your guests won't expect the flavor combination — but they'll love it.

26
Ginger Apple Crumble Pie
Dolly and Oatmeal

Ginger Apple Crumble Pie

Try adding ginger to your apple desserts and see just how much better they taste. That's certainly the case with this ginger apple crumble pie.

27
Bourbon Pecan Pie
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is a classic for Thanksgiving dessert, but this bourbon pecan pie has a little something extra.

28
Caramel Apple Pecan Tart
Homemade In the Kitchen

Caramel Apple Pecan Tart

The apple and caramel flavors really meld together in this caramel apple pecan tart, offering a rich finish to your holiday meal.

29
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Show Me the Yummy

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Make your pumpkin pie into mini servings so they're easier to eat on the fly — and too cute to resist. Try this Thanksgiving dessert recipe mini pumpkin pies.

30
Apple Galettes With Caramel Sauce
Cooking For Keeps

Apple Galettes With Caramel Sauce

Top these beautiful apple apple galettes with caramel sauce with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

31
Pumpkin Cookies With Walnuts
Snixy Kitchen

Pumpkin Cookies With Walnuts

Make these simple pumpkin cookies with walnuts as a treat all fall long, including on Thanksgiving.

32
Sticky Bun Pumpkin Spice Cake
Get Inspired Every Day

Sticky Bun Pumpkin Spice Cake

Your guests won't be able to resist this ooey gooey sticky bun pumpkin spice cake,

33
Roasted Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Sprinkle Bakes

Roasted Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Cheesecake gets a rich lift with the addition of sweet potatoes in this recipe for roasted sweet potato cheesecake.

34
Flourless Pumpkin Brownies
A Saucy Kitchen

Flourless Pumpkin Brownies

If you believe no dessert spread is complete without chocolate — but you still want to make something festive — give these flourless pumpkin brownies a try.

36
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Inspired by Charm

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Sandwich decadent frosting between two pumpkin cookies for fun handheld pumpkin whoopie pies.

37
Apple Streusel Cake
Inspired by Charm

Apple Streusel Cake

Apples are so versatile! Try baking them into an apple streusel cake for your Thanksgiving feast.

38
Chocolate Chunk Cranberry Bars
Delightful Mom Food

Chocolate Chunk Cranberry Bars

Pair the tang of the cranberries with luscious chocolate for a lovely end to your holiday meal when you make these chocolate chunk cranberry bars.

39
Masala-Chai Carrot Cupcakes With Spiced Maple Frosting
A Cozy Kitchen

Masala-Chai Carrot Cupcakes With Spiced Maple Frosting

These masala-chai carrot cupcakes with spiced maple frosting are packed with flavorful spice, and make a rich and truly unique Thanksgiving dessert.

40
Pumpkin Butterscotch Bars
The Gunny Sack

Pumpkin Butterscotch Bars

These pumpkin butterscotch bars are somewhere between a cake, a pie, and a brownie, and they taste absolutely divine.

41
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bundt Cake With Spiced Candied Walnuts
Sprinkle Bakes

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bundt Cake With Spiced Candied Walnuts

You can make this pumpkin cream cheese bundt cake with spiced candied walnuts in whatever shape bundt pan you have, but how cool is this square one?

42
Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread
Self Proclaimed Foodie

Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread

Turn monkey bread on its head by adding pumpkin and spices, as is done with this pumpkin spice monkey bread, and suddenly you have a stellar Thanksgiving dessert.

43
Pumpkin Spice Cannoli
Spiced

Pumpkin Spice Cannoli

Talk about a fun way to cap off your Thanksgiving meal. Serve these pumpkin spice cannolis and everyone will find room for dessert.