Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to Thanksgiving I am a big lover of the classics. Apple pie, cornbread, pumpkin pie – delicious every time. That being said, a unique new treat can freshen up your tried and true menu. If you want to impress your guests with something new, try one of my favorite recipes. I have made each of these recipes countless times. I can safely say all of them will be big hits for Thanksgiving or your next fall gathering.
- Coffee cake cookies
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As seen on Gilmore Girls, these cookies perfectly combine the comforting taste of coffee cake with the crispness of a cookie. The outside has a cinnamon graham cracker taste, and the crumble in the center is soft and heavenly. The drizzle of royal icing adds a nice finishing touch. These are always a big hit when I make them. To add a little extra richness, I brown my butter and let it refrigerate before incorporation. You can do so by cooking the butter on a stovetop until it browns. This process emulsifies the fats and gives the cookie a nutty flavor.
- Maple Glaze Pumpkin Poptarts
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This recipe is a bit more time-consuming but well worth it. These are no ordinary Pop-Tarts. The cookie base is made with a tasty pie crust. The pumpkin flavor is divine, but you could also try this recipe with a brown sugar filling.
- Thumbprint Cookies
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This quick and easy recipe is a staple for me. They can be whipped up in 20 minutes, and you can fill them with virtually anything – your favorite jam, chocolate, or even a pie filling. Always cute and yummy.
- Brown Sugar Walnut Fudge
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Fudge is an acquired taste, often too sweet and rich for most. However, this fudge is great for anyone and everyone. It’s not too sweet like typical fudge and has a subtle nutty taste. Once you master using the stove top (boiling sugar can be tricky) you can whip these up in no time.
- Eggnog Snickerdoodles
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These cookies are ideal for Thanksgiving and all winter long. The eggnog and spices elevate a classic snickerdoodle cookie. They are so soft and comforting. For an extra pop, I like to add a maraschino cherry to the center. It adds a pop of color and gives a refreshing fruity aftertaste.
- Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake
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If you like cream cheese in dessert as much as I do, you’ll love this. The tanginess is indescribable. The crumble on top is super crisp, and the apples are so refreshing. These are impossible to dislike, and browning your butter will make these even more delectable.
- Maple Pumpkin Cookies
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Maple. Pumpkin. Do I need to say more? These cookies have a subtle pumpkin/ginger flavor and are seriously soft. For extra spice, I swap half a cup of brown sugar for ¾ cup and 2 tbsp molasses.
- Homemade Goldfish
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This isn’t a dessert, but I had to include this because it’s a Thanksgiving staple for me. Homemade goldfish are easy to whip up but are strikingly more flavorful than regular goldfish. They seem very gourmet, and it’s so fun to cut them into cute shapes. They’re perfect to snack on throughout the day while waiting for the big meal.
- Frosted snickerdoodle bars
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This is a super simple crowd-pleaser and great for a large gathering. Every bite is like the center of a soft-baked snickerdoodle. The cream cheese frosting makes it.
- Chewy Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Confession time – I don’t like chocolate. I do make these quite often for my family and have gotten some great testimonials. Chocolate aside, the base cookie is incredible. The added espresso and brown butter give it an amazing richness. These are no ordinary chocolate chip cookies. The elevated espresso and brown butter notes are guaranteed to impress any guest.