The key to a stress-free Thanksgiving is getting as much done ahead of time as possible, and dessert is the perfect place to start. These recipes can be made days or even weeks in advance, freeing up your oven and your sanity when the big day arrives. They all taste just as good (sometimes even better) after spending time in the fridge or freezer. Here are the make-ahead desserts that'll let you actually enjoy Thanksgiving instead of spending it in the kitchen.
Cinnamon Apple Bread
Cinnamon apple bread is a cozy, moist, and delicious loaf filled with Fall flavor. Juicy, buttery apples, tender sponge, and a hint of spice make this one of the best apple desserts around. This cinnamon apple bread has the most amazing texture, with rich warmth and buttery-soft apples in every bite. Then, I added an apple glaze on the top to double down on the flavor, and it really takes it to the next level.
Go to the recipe: Cinnamon Apple Bread
Chocolate Sheet Cake
If you love all things chocolate, you may have just found heaven on earth with this moist chocolate sheet cake recipe! With a fluffy chocolate sponge base and creamy double-chocolate fudge buttercream frosting, this irresistibly decadent dessert is the perfect go-to choice.
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Sheet Cake
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
This smooth, creamy, and tangy pumpkin cheesecake with a crunchy Graham cracker crust and whipped cream cheese decoration is super delicious, but so much easier than it looks! It's perfect for fall and impressive enough even for Thanksgiving, but unbelievably simple!
Go to the recipe: No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pecan Snowball Cookies
These sweet, crunchy, buttery pecan snowball cookies are a delicious way to decorate your dessert table this holiday season! Also known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cookies, these snowy treats use just a handful of basic pantry staples to create a fun-shaped and eye-catching dessert that all ages will love.
Go to the recipe: Pecan Snowball Cookies
Apple Pie
A classic apple pie is a cozy Fall staple, designed to be enjoyed with family and friends throughout Fall and Thanksgiving. My apple pie recipe features a crisp and buttery pie crust, filled to the brim with a juicy homemade apple filling. Every bite is filled with nostalgia!
Go to the recipe: Apple Pie
Pecan Brownies
This fudgy pecan brownie recipe might be your favorite brownie recipe all year round! It has the perfect combination of thick, fudgy, and gooey inside, with a crinkly, crispy top and an intense chocolate flavor, crunchy pecans, and a hint of cinnamon. It is rich yet very well-balanced in sweetness!
Go to the recipe: Pecan Brownies
Apple Tarte Tatin
Apple tarte tatin is one of the most elegant French desserts out there. Soft and delicious caramelized apples sit on a bed of flaky, buttery puff pastry, ensuring every bite is packed with the best flavor and texture. It's a classic for a reason!
Go to the recipe: Apple Tarte Tatin
Butterscotch Pumpkin Bundt Cake
This butterscotch pumpkin bundt cake recipe features an airy and super moist pumpkin bundt cake loaded with pumpkin and your favorite fall spices. It is topped with the most delicious butterscotch sauce, which has a lovely buttery, brown sugar flavor profile. Easy and quick candied pecans are added for some extra crunchiness.
Go to the recipe: Butterscotch Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Bailey's Apple Pie
This Bailey's apple pie recipe is the ultimate homemade apple pie with an Irish cream twist. A flaky, buttery pie crust is filled with a super delicious homemade apple pie filling infused with Baileys. This is the pie everyone has to make over the fall!
Go to the recipe: Bailey's Apple Pie
Spiced Apple Cake
This spiced apple cake, full of deep apple flavors, is probably the easiest and most delicious apple cake recipe to try this fall. A super-moist brown sugar cake loaded with spices and apples, topped with a simple ginger apple compote, is the ultimate recipe to try this time of year.
Go to the recipe: Spiced Apple Cake
Pumpkin Custard Pie
This is, hands down, the best pumpkin custard pie recipe for fall. It features a flaky, buttery pie crust filled with silky, creamy, incredible, delicious pumpkin custard flavored with aromatic orange zest and nutmeg. This Pumpkin pie is made without evaporated milk, yet super rich, smooth, and full of fall flavors everyone loves!
Go to the recipe: Pumpkin Custard Pie
Nutella Babka
This Nutella babka is totally addictive! Made from the fluffiest, most buttery brioche dough twisted around a decadent Nutella filling. It is a lovely, sweet bread that will equally fill your heart and body.
Go to the recipe: Nutella Babka
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
With a mousse-like consistency and crunchy graham cracker crust, this no-bake double-layer pumpkin pie will be your go-to dessert this fall. This divine dessert features a homemade biscuit crumb crust filled with layers of rich, light, and airy cream cheese and pumpkin pie fillings, topped with a lightly sweetened cream cheese decoration.
Go to the recipe: Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
Apple Crumble Cheesecake
This apple crumble cheesecake is the perfect mixture of warm cinnamon apples, comforting crumble, and a rich, tangy cheesecake. Cheesecake fans who love the apple season will adore this dessert! It has the most amazing flavor and texture, and it's the perfect treat for Fall that works for any occasion.
Go to the recipe: Apple Crumble Cheesecake
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie with Oreo Crust
This no-bake peanut butter pie with Oreo crust is smooth, creamy, crunchy, and sweet all at once! It is a straightforward recipe with an amazing creamy texture, deep peanut butter, and Oreo flavors. It is quick to make, and if you love peanut butter, you will love this recipe.
Go to the recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie with Oreo Crust
Apple Pie Cookies
These irresistible apple pie cookies will be the talk of the table this holiday season! Made with fresh apples and a sweet, delicious apple pie filling, they will make you feel like you are eating mini apple pies (without all the hassle)! Their warm, comforting flavor makes them the perfect dessert to sweeten holiday gatherings.
Go to the recipe: Apple Pie Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
This silky chocolate hazelnut tart is an easy, quick, and super delicious dessert for chocolate and hazelnut lovers! As fancy as it looks, this is a straightforward recipe that uses just a few everyday ingredients. It contains a no-bake hazelnut crust and a super quick filling.
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
If you have been looking for an elegant treat to add to your fall dessert table, these easy apple roses with puff pastry are just what you have been looking for! Made with fresh apples, cinnamon, sugar, and a light, flaky puff pastry crust, this dessert is not only eye-catching but also mouthwateringly delicious.
Go to the recipe: Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Pecan pie cheesecake brings together everything you love about cheesecake and pecan pie. The crisp graham cracker crust holds a creamy vanilla cheesecake filling topped with glossy caramel-coated pecans that add crunch and warmth. It’s a showstopping dessert that is the perfect treat for Fall and definitely deserves a spot at your holiday table, Thanksgiving, and beyond.
Go to the recipe: Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Cinnamon Apple Cake
This easy, cinnamon apple cake is just what you need to bring your dessert table to life this fall! It has a moist cinnamon cake layer topped with fresh apples and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for the perfect finishing touch. You can serve it with a hot cup of coffee or tea as a sweet breakfast!
Go to the recipe: Cinnamon Apple Cake
No-Bake Apple Pie
You will love this easy, no-bake apple pie with Graham cracker crust. This three-step recipe uses a simple 2-ingredient pie crust filled with delicious apples cooked to perfection in a mixture of butter and brown sugar. The entire Graham cracker crust apple pie only takes 30 minutes to make and is the perfect no-bake pie for fall!
Go to the recipe: No-Bake Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Chocolate Poke Cake
This 100% from-scratch decadent chocolate poke cake is rich, moist, and packed with real chocolate flavor in every bite! Made with a soft chocolate sponge, silky chocolate ganache filling, and chocolate whipped cream frosting on top, it's an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that's great for any occasion.
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Poke Cake
Pear Tarte Tatin
This pear tarte tatin is a stunning take on the classic French upside-down tart, apple tarte tatin. Caramelized pears melt into a rich, buttery caramel sauce beneath layers of flaky puff pastry that bake to a perfect golden crust. It’s a timeless dessert that feels both rustic and refined.
Go to the recipe: Pear Tarte Tatin
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