This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.

These Thanksgiving desserts are the most luscious, sumptuous treats for your table! Pick from ideas like pies, brownies, cheesecake, and more.

Thanksgiving desserts
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Need a Thanksgiving dessert for your celebration? This holiday is the best time for pulling out all the stops with fall flavors to impress your guests. As a cookbook author who’s hosted dozens of gatherings over the years, I’ve put together my top Thanksgiving desserts that will wow everyone!

Along with my favorite recipes from this website, I’ve featured selections from two of my colleagues who are baking experts: Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby Cakes and Tessa Arias of Handle the Heat.

My top Thanksgiving desserts

To browse by ingredient instead? Try these top Pumpkin Desserts or Apple Desserts.

Dietary Considerations for Thanksgiving Desserts

As someone who’s had special dietary needs over the years, making sure everyone at the table has options they can enjoy is important to me! The vegan pumpkin pie and many of the fruit-based desserts like apple cranberry crisp work well for plant-based guests.

For gluten-free options, look for naturally gluten-free desserts like puddings and ice cream. Many crumbles can be made gluten-free by using almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend in the topping.

If you’re serving guests with nut allergies, stick with pies, cakes, and cookies that don’t require nuts as a main ingredient.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Many desserts taste better when made ahead. Cheesecakes, tiramisu, and puddings need time to set and develop their flavors. I make these the day before Thanksgiving and keep them covered in the refrigerator.

Cookies freeze well for up to a month. Bake them early in November, freeze in airtight containers, and thaw at room temperature the day before Thanksgiving.

Pies can be tricky: fruit pies are best baked the day before and kept at room temperature, but custard pies like pumpkin should be made the day of or the night before and refrigerated. I let refrigerated pies sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print

Thanksgiving Desserts: Pumpkin Tiramisu

Pumpkin Tiramisu

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

This luscious pumpkin tiramisu stars layers of spiced whipped mascarpone and coffee-soaked lady fingers! This fall dessert is easy to make in advance and the perfect showstopper for holidays or any fall dinner.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Chill Time: 4 hours or overnight
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 9 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Thanksgiving
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling
  • 8 ounces (1 cup) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups strongly brewed coffee, cold espresso, or cold brew (watered down; not concentrate*)
  • 2 tablespoons amaretto or rum (optional)
  • 24 lady fingers (7 ounce package)

Instructions

  1. To a mixing bowl or bowl of a mixer, add the pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Add the whisk attachment or use a handheld mixer and whisk together until smooth. Add the the mascarpone cheese and whip on medium speed until smooth. Add the cream and beat until thick and fluffy, about 1 minute.
  2. In a shallow bowl, place the coffee and amaretto or rum. Quickly dip each side of the lady finders in the coffee mixture (just to get each side wet) and place them in a single layer in an 8 x 8-inch or 9 x 9-inch pan. Place 12 in the bottom, breaking them as necessary to form an even layer. 
  3. Take half of the pumpkin mixture and smooth it over the top of the lady fingers. Add another layer of dipped lady fingers, then add the pumpkin mixture and smooth over the top again. Dust the top with cinnamon using a fine mesh strainer. 
  4. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Slice into 9 pieces and serve. Stores up to 1 day refrigerated (or up 2 days total).

Notes

*Notes: If using bottled cold brew concentrate, water it down using the quantities listed on the package (it’s typically 1:1 concentrate to water). 

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

More Thanksgiving Recipes

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi there! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of two cookbooks, busy parents, and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the Fancy Foods Show website in 2010 to share simple, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking. We now offer thousands of original recipes, cooking tips, and meal planning ideas—all written and photographed by the two of us (and tested on our kids!).

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

1 Comment

  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!