Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 30-Day Mediterranean Diet Challenge

      Try one of the world's healthiest ways of eating: the Mediterranean Diet. Read More Next
    • These Are the Best and Worst Diets of 2021

      We took a look at the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report to see which diets ranked at the top and bottom of their lists. Read More Next
    • Simple 30-Day Weight-Loss Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories

      A full month of easy-to-make recipes and helpful meal-prep tips, this healthy meal plan sets you up for weight-loss success. Read More Next
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See all Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See all Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See all Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See all Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See all Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See all Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See all Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Family Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See all Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Healthy Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Healthy Holiday & Occasion Recipes Chevron Right
  4. Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes Chevron Right
  5. Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes Chevron Right
  6. Best Ever Thanksgiving Desserts

Best Ever Thanksgiving Desserts

August 27, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Wow your family and friends with these show-stopping Thanksgiving desserts. We've rounded up our best Thanksgiving dessert recipes to end your holiday meal on a sweet note. Many of these desserts can be made ahead, so you can bring them along wherever you’re having Thanksgiving dinner.Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!
Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pear Almond Crostata

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This flaky crostata recipe relies on fruit for its sweetness instead of a lot of added sugar, so be sure to use only ripe pears. If they're rock-hard, put them in a paper bag with an apple or banana on the kitchen counter for a few days.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

1 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Lime Cheesecake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

One bite of this light and airy cranberry-lime cheesecake recipe and it will become your go-to recipe for dessert. Part-skim ricotta cheese adds a delicate texture and stands in for some of the higher-fat cream cheese. Be sure to use a large, wide piece of heavy-duty foil to wrap the pan--the foil helps prevent water from seeping into the cake as it bakes.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

2 of 22

3 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mini Apple Pies with Cheddar

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a healthy--and adorable--twist on deep-dish apple pie. This mini apple pie recipe will give you just a bit of something sweet and the melted wedge of Cheddar on top is a nod to the New England tradition of serving cheese with apple pie.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

3 of 22

Advertisement

4 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate-Sweet Potato Parfait

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy chocolate mousse recipe gets its body from sweet potato rather than eggs. Both the mousse and the meringue cookies can be made ahead of time, so all you have to do is assemble the parfaits when you're ready for dessert.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

4 of 22

5 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap-Walnut Crust

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We pulled out a few of our favorite EatingWell tricks to achieve plenty of creaminess in our pumpkin cheesecake without all the saturated fat of a typical recipe: nutrient-packed canned pumpkin and pureed nonfat cottage cheese replace some of the cream cheese. A touch of pumpkin pie spice warms up the flavor. For the crust, shop the natural-foods section for gingersnaps without any hydrogenated oil. Simple toasted walnuts are an elegant garnish. Or try making candied walnuts. Just be careful not to eat all of them before they make it to the cake!

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

5 of 22

6 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Maple Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This is a healthier version of the gooey-rich sticky toffee pudding recipe served in the winter at Joanne Chang's Asian restaurant Myers+Chang in Boston. Lightly sweetened with maple syrup, the cake is chock-full of rich, naturally sweet dates. Adapted from Baking with Less Sugar by Joanne Chang (Chronicle Books, 2015).

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

6 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Double Nut & Date Tassies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The two-bite pecan tarts satisfy the sweet tooth with far less guilt than pecan pie.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

7 of 22

8 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Maple-Pumpkin Custards with Crystallized Ginger

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A Thanksgiving meal wouldn't be complete without pumpkin, and here in Vermont we wouldn't dream of excluding our beloved maple syrup. We've combined the two in these elegant custards, featuring the best part of a pumpkin pie and saving calories for a luscious finish of real whipped cream. If you can find it, use Grade B dark amber syrup to get the best maple flavor.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

8 of 22

9 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggnog Pie with Cranberry Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy custard pie recipe combines the flavors of gingerbread and eggnog into a festive holiday dessert. An easy cranberry sauce balances the sweetness of the pie with a touch of tartness. To lighten the load of holiday baking, each element can be prepared up to 5 days ahead.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

9 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fried Apple Pie Rolls

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy take on apple pie, wonton wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!
  • Watch Video

10 of 22

11 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spiced Pumpkin Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This boldly spiced classic pumpkin pie recipe can be made with canned pumpkin puree, a roasted pie pumpkin or roasted squash. Make your own healthy pastry dough or look for a store-bought frozen pie crust without any partially hydrogenated oils.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

11 of 22

12 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate-Almond Galette with Caramel Hazelnuts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This thin, beautiful chocolate-almond galette recipe with caramelized hazelnuts makes a spectacular dessert for any meal. Serve this rustic chocolate tart topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream or yogurt.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

12 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This rustic cake is a delicious alternative to pie and uses one of the tastiest fruits of the fall harvest--cranberries. The basic recipe is very versatile and can be made with apples, pears, peaches, plums or any full-flavored, slightly acidic fruit. Just arrange the fruit in the skillet before you pour the batter over it. The cake is best served warm; if you can, put it in the oven just before you sit down to dinner. Recipe adapted from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

13 of 22

14 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Cream Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chocolate cream pie isn't just a diner special--it's the perfect dessert for any celebration. We love the added flair of chocolate curls on top, but a pretty dollop of whipped cream on each piece would look just as elegant.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

14 of 22

15 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Maple-Ginger Apple Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy apple pie recipe, a touch of maple syrup spiked with lemon zest, cinnamon and ground ginger coats the apples while they bake. Serve this amazing homemade pie with lightly sweetened whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

15 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caramelized Pear Custard Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This custard pie recipe elevates the simple pear to something heavenly. The pears are lightly caramelized, baked into vanilla custard, then topped with a cinnamon caramel sauce just before serving.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

16 of 22

17 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pear, Apple & Cranberry Tarte Tatin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This ultimate fall and winter tart showcases the best fruits of the season: pears, apples and cranberries. Unlike other tarts, the tarte tatin is made upside down in a skillet. You start by cooking the fruit, then top it with the dough, carefully tuck in the edges and let it cook. When it's ready you invert the whole tart onto a plate. It comes out looking beautiful and is actually much easier than you might imagine.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

17 of 22

18 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A sublime silky chocolate custard fills this simple hazelnut shortbread crust. Serve garnished with whipped cream and toasted hazelnuts for a special touch.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

18 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Meringue Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you're a fan of lemon meringue pie, you'll love this festive cranberry meringue pie recipe. For the fluffiest meringue, set your eggs out at room temperature for about 15 minutes or submerge (in the shell) in a bowl of lukewarm water for 5 minutes before beating--egg whites at room temperature will gain more volume than cold whites.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

19 of 22

20 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caramel Cream Cheese Custard (Flan de Queso)

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Every panaderia (bakery) in Puerto Rico has many flavors of flan, from vanilla to guava. Reduced-fat cream cheese gives this version a rich, comforting texture.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

20 of 22

21 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nut & Honey Biscotti

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This crunchy Italian cookie recipe isn't traditionally very sweet, so just a touch of honey adds flavor along with mild sweetness. Dipping them in chocolate makes them extra special.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

21 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Maple Pecan Tart with Dried Cherries

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This pecan tart gets added tang from dried cherries. Instead of corn syrup, which is found in most pecan pie recipes, we've opted for maple syrup. If you can find it, choose dark amber or grade B, because it has the richest maple flavor. The crust, made with heart-healthy pecans and canola oil, couldn't be easier to whip together. Just blend it in the food processor and pat it into your tart pan.

  • Download a FREE Thanksgiving Desserts Cookbook!

22 of 22

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 22 Pear Almond Crostata
2 of 22 Cranberry-Lime Cheesecake
3 of 22 Mini Apple Pies with Cheddar
4 of 22 Chocolate-Sweet Potato Parfait
5 of 22 Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap-Walnut Crust
6 of 22 Sticky Toffee Pudding with Maple Sauce
7 of 22 Double Nut & Date Tassies
8 of 22 Maple-Pumpkin Custards with Crystallized Ginger
9 of 22 Eggnog Pie with Cranberry Sauce
10 of 22 Fried Apple Pie Rolls
11 of 22 Spiced Pumpkin Pie
12 of 22 Chocolate-Almond Galette with Caramel Hazelnuts
13 of 22 Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
14 of 22 Chocolate Cream Pie
15 of 22 Maple-Ginger Apple Pie
16 of 22 Caramelized Pear Custard Pie
17 of 22 Pear, Apple & Cranberry Tarte Tatin
18 of 22 Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust
19 of 22 Cranberry Meringue Pie
20 of 22 Caramel Cream Cheese Custard (Flan de Queso)
21 of 22 Nut & Honey Biscotti
22 of 22 Maple Pecan Tart with Dried Cherries

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
EatingWell

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Recipe Index
  • Jobs

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
© 2021 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from http://www.eatingwell.com

View image

Best Ever Thanksgiving Desserts
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.