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Eight Desserts You NEED to Make This Thanksgiving

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Montclair chapter.

Thanksgiving is a holiday where basically all you do is eat, at least in my family. After the big meal, you need a way to wrap up the holiday. Desserts are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving and are pretty important, too. Deciding on a dish to bake is hard because of the wide variety of options to choose from.

However, this list below will give you eight different options of what you can make this year with recipes attached. There are also some alternative options included for those of you who want something gluten free or vegan. If you’re not a fan of pies, I have some recipes for you here, too. No matter what your preferences are, I’ve got you covered.

  1. Apple Pie

Apple pie is a classic Thanksgiving dessert, but it’s also a favorite! There are a lot of ways to make an apple pie and a lot of different recipes you can use, too. Along with an original apple pie recipe, included is an apple hand pie recipe. These cute apple hand pies are very easy and give the individual an option to prevent germs from spreading. Also included is a gluten free and vegan apple pie option.

Apple pie recipe: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/braided-lattice-apple-pie/ 

Gluten free & vegan option: https://vanillaandbean.com/apple-pie-gluten-free-vegan/ 

Apple hand pies: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/easy-homemade-apple-hand-pies/ 

  1. Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie is another classic Thanksgiving dessert. Like apple pie, there are plenty of recipes you can follow. Attached below is also a recipe for mini pumpkin pies, which is a nice alternative if you want to make individual pies. This also helps if only a few people in your family like pumpkin pie, and you don’t want to make a whole one. If you can’t decide between apple or pumpkin, you could even bake individual hand-helds of each for a variety. There’s also a gluten free and vegan option attached below.

Pumpkin pie recipe: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/classic-thanksgiving-pumpkin-pie/ 

Gluten free & vegan option: Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin PieMinimalist Baker4.6(236)2 hr Gluten free flour, ice cream, pumpkin pie spice, coconut oil, almond milk

Mini pumpkin pies: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/mini-pumpkin-pies-small-batch/

  1. Pecan Pie

Another pie option that you can make this Thanksgiving is pecan pie. This is a great option if your family loves pies for dessert. Included below is a recipe for pecan pie and a vegan and gluten free option. Also attached are pecan pie bars, which are an easier way to get the taste of pecan pie without going through the effort of making a pie.

Pecan pie recipe: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/classic-pecan-pie/ 

Vegan/Gluten Free option: The BEST Vegan Pecan Pie (Gluten free, too!) – Audrey …https://audreydunham.com › Food & Recipes

Pecan pie bars: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/pecan-pie-bars/

  1. Apple Crisp

An apple crisp is a flavorful Thanksgiving dessert no one will be able to resist. This is a great option if you love the taste of cinnamon and apples. You can also top this dessert off with ice cream, too! I attached both a recipe for the apple crisp and a vegan/gluten free option for you to enjoy.

Old Fashioned Easy Apple CrispThe Chunky Chef4.9(622)1 hr Brown sugar, old fashioned oats, cinnamon, golden delicious apples, lemon juice

Gluten-Free Vegan Apple CrispMinimalist Baker4.9(76)1 hr Gluten free, gluten free flour, almond meal, brown sugar, sweet

  1. Apple Cobbler

Apple Cobbler is another great dessert to serve on Thanksgiving. This dessert will definitely be a fan favorite, given that it’s a classic, as well. Included is a recipe for apple cobbler and a vegan/gluten free option, too.

Apple Cobbler recipe: Apple CobblerTastes Better From Scratch4.9(215)1 hr 10 minApple juice, brown sugar, granny smith, butter, cinnamon

Vegan/Gluten Free option: Crazy Good Vegan Apple Cobbler (gluten-free …https://rachlmansfield.com › crazy-good-vegan-apple-c…

  1. Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread is a delicious dessert that will please the wants and needs of everyone. This dessert has the taste of fall that is great on Thanksgiving. If you want to add a little more flavor, there is a chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe along with a vegan and gluten free option attached below.

Pumpkin bread recipe: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/pumpkin-bread/ 

Vegan/Gluten free option: Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread (1-bowl, Oat Flour)Beaming Baker4.9(51)1 hr 25 minGluten free oat, almond meal, coconut oil, maple syrup, pure pumpkin puree

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

  1. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you’re someone who wants to bring a homemade dessert, but you don’t want to go through the hassle of baking anything, this no-bake cheesecake is perfect for you! Not only is it easy to make, but it’s delicious, as well. I even included a regular no-bake cheesecake recipe if you don’t want to have the pumpkin flavor. 

No-bake pumpkin cheesecake:https://www.aheadofthyme.com/no-bake-pumpkin-cheesecake/ 

Vegan/Gluten Free/Paleo option: No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake (Gluten Free + Paleo)https://www.bakerita.com › … › Cakes › Cheesecake

No-bake cheesecake: No-Bake CheesecakeMartha Stewart3.6(1.8K)3 hr 30 minCream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, graham crackers, lemon juice, sugar

  1. Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll

Not only can this be a Thanksgiving dessert, but it can also be breakfast the next morning if you have leftovers! If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls, you definitely need to check out these pumpkin cinnamon rolls for a dessert option. This is a perfect option if you want to make something simple. 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/pumpkin-cinnamon-rolls/ 

Vegan option: Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls | Minimalist Baker Recipeshttps://minimalistbaker.com › vegan-pumpkin-cinnamo…

  1. *Bonus* Turkey Cupcakes

If you’re not a fan of fall flavors, then these cupcakes will definitely suit your needs. The recipe calls for chocolate cake mix. However, you can choose from any flavor cake you want if you’re not a fan of chocolate. This dessert makes a cute option for children and adults and is a great option for Thanksgiving.

Turkey CupcakesDelish.com3.0(1)1 hr 30 minChocolate cake mix, candy corn, unsweetened cocoa powder, pretzels, heavy cream

Gluten free option: Turkey Cupcakes – Gluten Free Follow Mehttps://www.glutenfreefollowme.com › Recipes

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Emily Spillar

Montclair '25

Emily is a Junior, Communication & Media Studies major at Montclair State University. She loves all things fashion and beauty, while also finding new experiences.