Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. Recipes
  4. Holidays & Events
  5. Thanksgiving Recipes
  6. Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
  7. From Pie to Pandowdy, These Are Our 20 Most Fabulous Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo

From Pie to Pandowdy, These Are Our 20 Most Fabulous Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Madeline Buiano, Staff Writer at Martha Stewart
By Madeline Buiano Updated October 20, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
two perfect pumpkin pie

We've rounded up a delicious selection of cakes, pies, puddings, tarts, and other favorites, both old and new, to prepare for your holiday spread.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
two perfect pumpkin pie

Despite the fact that turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes receive most of the attention on Thanksgiving, we all know that the holiday feast isn't complete without dessert. From golden pumpkin pies and glistening apple tarts to some more unexpected options, like a Fruit-and-Herb Sorbet or an Apple-Raspberry Pandowdy, we have an unbeatable collection of Thanksgiving desserts for you to choose from this year. 

If you prefer the classics, our Perfect Pumpkin Pie, pictured here, is as traditional as it gets. It has all the timeless flavors Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without, including pumpkin, maple syrup, cinnamon, and clove. Another pumpkin-centric dessert option is our Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Cake. Instant espresso powder is mixed with pumpkin-pie spice and added to the cake's base for an easy sweet treat with a moist texture that's reminiscent of gingerbread. 

Of course, no Thanksgiving dessert spread would be complete without an apple-based confection. For a visually impressive option, try our Apple Rose Tart. Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples are thinly sliced and layered in a crust to create the illusion of a rose.

If you like to get a head start on holiday meal prep, you'll be pleased to know that you can make components, such as the pastry, for many of these desserts ahead. Some, like our Apple-Pie Bread Pudding, can even be fully assembled a few days early and stored in the refrigerator until it's time to reheat it for serving.

Whether you're looking for a new, unexpected dessert to add to the Thanksgiving feast or a tried-and-true recipe for a classic holiday treat, you'll find exactly what you're looking for here. These fabulous Thanksgiving dessert recipes simple can't be beat.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Apple-Raspberry Pandowdy

apple-raspberry pandowdy served in pan
Credit: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you're looking for a beginner-friendly dessert to make this Thanksgiving, this pandowdy recipe is one you need. The entire treat is assembled in one dish so it's as easy to clean up as it is to make.

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Coconut-Pecan Tart

coconut-pecan tart topped with flaky sea salt
Credit: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This gluten-free confection is almost like a giant candy bar. A no-bake crust made with almond flour and shredded coconut is filled with a blend of butter, sugar, cream, condensed milk, and semi-sweet chocolate, and pecan pieces.

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fruit-and-Herb Sorbets

concord grape–rosemary guava-basil and cranberry apple-mint sorbets
Credit: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It may seem surprising to recommend a chilled dessert this late in the year, but these sorbets (we have three options) are packed with fall flavors, including cranberry and rosemary. Our streamlined recipe means you'll save time; using fruit juice instead of cooking fruit to get juice helps speed up the process. 

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spice-Cookie Parfaits

spice-cookie parfaits topped with berries
Credit: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Parfaits can be made a variety of different ways. This version features a simmered sauce made from cranberries and pear juice, which is layered into glasses with a sweet-cream mixture, blackberries, raspberries, and crumbled spice cookies.

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake

chocolate drizzled on pumpkin-chocolate cheesecake
Credit: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A rich delight of pumpkin and chocolate, this dense cheesecake may seem daunting, but the pumpkin filling and chocolate crust can be assembled in a few simple steps. 

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spiced Sweet-Potato Cake with Meringue Frosting

spiced sweet-potato cake with meringue frosting
Credit: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The fan-favorite way of serving sweet potatoes—especially in the South—is as a marshmallow topped confection. This elevated version of the dish whips sweet potatoes into a sheet cake with pumpkin-pie spice and tops the dessert with an Italian meringue, giving the illusion of a stream of marshmallows. 

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Five-Spice Pumpkin Pie with Phyllo Crust

five spice pumpkin pie with phyllo crust
Credit: Christopher Testani
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This pumpkin pie recipe combines both classic and modern flavors into one treat. The filling is made with timeless fall ingredients, but we tuck it all into a phyllo crust to make this treat different from all the other pies on the dessert table. And we'll let you in on a little secret: Although visually impressive, the crust is actually easy to make. Simply layer a pan with sheets of store-bought phyllo in varying angles. 

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Apple-Honey Upside-Down Cake

Apple-Honey Upside-Down Cake
Credit: Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A crowd pleaser indeed, this upside-down cake is defined by two key ingredients: apples and honey. The fruit is spread over a caramel filling and topped with a batter that features honey, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and milk.

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Naked-Fruit Chiffon Cake

Naked-Fruit Chiffon Cake
Credit: Lennart Weibull
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's always nice to surprise your guests with a dessert they likely haven't tried before, like this chiffon cake. Layers of cake, whipped cream, and seasonal fruits like pears, figs, and plums are assembled into an aesthetically pleasing treat. 

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cranberry-Meringue Tart

Cranberry-Meringue Tart
Credit: Pieter Estersohn
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Apple pie has some competition this year thanks to this cranberry-meringue tart. The crust is made with a buttery mixture of crushed saltines, which serves as a nice contrast to the tart cranberry filling. The perfect finishing touch? A whipped-to-perfection meringue topping. 

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pumpkin-Spice-Latte Cake

Pumpkin-Spice-Latte Cake
Credit: Lennart Weibull
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's an easy-to-make, easy-to-love one-layer pumpkin cake; its flavor is enhanced thanks to the addition of instant espresso powder and pumpkin-pie spice. Once baked, the cake is dressed in a whipped cream topping and dusted with more espresso powder. 

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Double-Crusted Ricotta Pie

easter-cake-md110802.jpg
Credit: Con Poulos
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In addition to the usual favorites, like pumpkin and apple pie, this double-crusted ricotta pie will look stunning on your Thanksgiving table. Ricotta—a creamy cheese with a mild flavor profile—gives the filling its slightly sweet, milky texture while the cranberries and pistachios punch up the texture. 

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ruffled Pumpkin Milk Pie

Ruffled Pumpkin Milk Pie
Credit: Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This homage to milk pie—a custard tart pastry—is perfect for pumpkin loving guests. If you're new to baking with phyllo, this recipe makes it a breeze. 

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Apple Rose Tart

apple rose tart dessert
Credit: Christopher Testani
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Food imitates art in this gorgeous apple rose tart. Thinly sliced Granny Smith apples are layered in a deep-dish pâte brisée pie shell while unpeeled pink ladies give the outer edges a rosy color. Apricot jam and grated ginger are spread over the dough's base for a kick of spicy-sweet flavor. 

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brown-Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie

Brown-Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie
Credit: Pieter Estersohn
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An instant classic, this dreamy brown-butter bourbon pecan pie is both delicious and impressive. The addition of brown butter sets this dessert apart from traditional pecan pie, but there's a flavor here for everyone. 

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Persimmon Tart

tomatoes beside persimmon tart
Credit: Paola + Murray
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Persimmon, a beautiful bright orange fruit, stars in this dessert. The fruit is puréed and made into an aromatic filling featuring cream, cinnamon, star anise, clove, and cardamom. Once baked, the tart is sprinkled with sugar and torched until its top turns beautifully golden.

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

apple pie bread pudding
Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A hybrid dessert for the ages, day-old brioche bread serves as a vessel for sliced Granny Smith apples and classic Thanksgiving spices, including cinnamon, all-spice, and nutmeg. 

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

round cranberry cheesecake with slice cut
Credit: Justin Walker
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Plan to make extra cranberry sauce this year so you can use it in this decadent cheesecake. The vanilla-based dessert features a traditional graham cracker crust, but feel free substitute wafer cookies for the graham cracker. 

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brown Sugar-Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies

brown sugar–cornmeal shortbread cookies served on a white platter
Credit: Con Poulos
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cookies at Thanksgiving? Why not! These brown sugar and cornmeal shortbread cookies have all the flavors of fall and harvest. 

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Madeline Buiano

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo
    View Series
    • What to Cook on the Grill This Father's Day
    • Make Mom Lunch Not Brunch with Our Marvelous Mostly Make-Ahead Menu
    • Mother's Day Baking Projects You and Your Mom Can Tackle Together
    • What Does Kosher for Passover Mean?
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20
    2 of 20 Apple-Raspberry Pandowdy
    3 of 20 Coconut-Pecan Tart
    4 of 20 Fruit-and-Herb Sorbets
    5 of 20 Spice-Cookie Parfaits
    6 of 20 Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake
    7 of 20 Spiced Sweet-Potato Cake with Meringue Frosting
    8 of 20 Five-Spice Pumpkin Pie with Phyllo Crust
    9 of 20 Apple-Honey Upside-Down Cake
    10 of 20 Naked-Fruit Chiffon Cake
    11 of 20 Cranberry-Meringue Tart
    12 of 20 Pumpkin-Spice-Latte Cake
    13 of 20 Double-Crusted Ricotta Pie
    14 of 20 Ruffled Pumpkin Milk Pie
    15 of 20 Apple Rose Tart
    16 of 20 Brown-Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie
    17 of 20 Persimmon Tart
    18 of 20 Apple Pie Bread Pudding
    19 of 20 Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake
    20 of 20 Brown Sugar-Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    From Pie to Pandowdy, These Are Our 20 Most Fabulous Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.