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

    • 10 Best Healthy Breakfast Foods to Eat

      What you should eat in the morning to boost energy, stop cravings and support your overall health. Read More Next
    • The Top 20 Recipes of 2020

      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. 29 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts

29 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts

September 29, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin

Make this holiday season more manageable with these make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert recipes. You can easily make these pies, cookies and more in advance to save yourself the time and hassle of baking on Thursday. Plus, you can also use premade dough to make things even faster. Recipes like Chai-Spiced Apple Pie and Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies are seasonal, delicious and the perfect end to a food-filled day.

Start Slideshow

1 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Classic chocolate chip cookies get a fall update by mixing in pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Not only are these pumpkin cookies even more flavorful than regular chocolate chip cookies, they're also oh-so-soft and cakelike. Use chocolate chunks for big gooey bites of chocolate or opt for mini chocolate chips to ensure a bit of chocolate in each bite.

1 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Orange Chocolate Tart

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy chocolate tart recipe is topped with homemade candied orange peel infused with cinnamon. You then add the cinnamon simple syrup to the chocolate filling. You can use store-bought candied orange peel and plain simple syrup in the filling to streamline the recipe.

2 of 29

3 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A great dessert option for your next holiday party, these sweet cheesecake bars have an oat crust and a cranberry-orange sauce that's swirled on top and baked right in.

3 of 29

Advertisement

4 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This dairy-free pumpkin pie gets its structure from aquafaba (the leftover water from a can of chickpeas) whipped up into a meringue-like foam. When it's combined with pumpkin and poured into a gluten-free pecan crust, you would never know beans had anything to do with this easy dessert recipe.

4 of 29

5 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chai-Spiced Apple Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves give this apple pie recipe a bold punch of flavor, and the apple filling is sweetened with honey instead of sugar.

5 of 29

6 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caramel Apple Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Kids and adults alike will love these fall caramel apple cookies. They are crisp on the bottom and chewy in the center with bits of apple and just a hint of spice. The caramel glaze takes them over the top!

6 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Indulge your PSL obsession with these pumpkin spice cookies. Instant espresso powder gives these soft, cakey cookies a subtle yet recognizable coffee flavor. Spread with cream cheese frosting (with more pumpkin pie spice flavors) and sprinkle with cinnamon to finish. And, go ahead, drink a pumpkin spice latte while you eat them for the full PSL experience. After all, it's only fall for so long (though we'd eat these cookies year-round). To make these cookies kid-friendly, simply omit the espresso powder.

7 of 29

8 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet potatoes make a mouthwatering, creamy custard for the filling in this lightened-up pie with an easy gluten-free cookie crust. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for dessert.

8 of 29

9 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No-Bake Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This luscious swirled cheesecake dessert is a no bake, mix-and-chill recipe. Plus, each slice is under 200 calories!

Ā 

9 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pecan Pie Bars

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These delectable bar cookies are great for holiday cookie trays, to bring out at casual gatherings, or just to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

10 of 29

11 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This purple version of classic sweet potato pie has a shot of brandy, which adds another layer of seasonal flavor. Serve with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

11 of 29

12 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These spiced cookies are a wonderful treat in the fall or winter. Each bite offers delicious pumpkin flavor with chewy raisins and crunchy walnuts. Make and freeze an extra batch to keep on hand for up to a month.

12 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 29

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.

13 of 29

14 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vegan Cheesecake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This luscious vegan cheesecake nixes the dairy in favor of a filling made with coconut cream, tofu and cashews or macadamia nuts instead of the traditional eggs and cream. Coconut oil and nuts make for a rich-tasting and crunchy crust, so nobody will miss the butter.

14 of 29

15 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry Crumble Bars

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you'll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.

15 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 29

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.

16 of 29

17 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spiced Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Renowned author and spice aficionado Lior Lev Sercarz loves these French sablé-style cookies so much, he sells a collection of five different flavors twice a year. In this variation, he uses tart amchoor (ground dried green mango) to give them a citrusy brightness. These healthy cookies will get you in the holiday spirit.

17 of 29

18 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nutty Carrot Cake Bars

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Loaded with carrot, nuts, and pumpkin pie spice and slathered with a velvety cream cheese frosting, these diabetic-friendly bars are sure to become a favorite dessert.

18 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cream Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy cake recipe is like a pumpkin-flavored version of Boston cream pie. Rather than the traditional round shape, we use a 9-by-13 pan to make a four-layer rectangular cake that looks fun and provides more layers of creamy goodness.

19 of 29

20 of 29

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).

20 of 29

21 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon-Marshmallow Frosting

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Shredded apple replaces some of the oil and keeps the cake moist in these cinnamon-spiked cupcakes. There is a generous amount of fluffy marshmallow frosting to mound or pipe on top for a festive look. Be sure to frost them right after you make the frosting--it stiffens as it stands and becomes more difficult to spread.

21 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These tender pumpkin-oatmeal cookies have the perfect amount of sweetness from brown sugar and raisins and a slightly nutty flavor from almond butter. Enjoy them as an after-school snack or a healthy dessert. Several testers also said they'd love to eat them with a cup of coffee in the morning.

22 of 29

23 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apple-Pie Bread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy everyday apple-pie bread makes a great breakfast-on-the-go with a cup of coffee. The fragrant spices typical of apple pie and the tender bits of baked apple inside also make it worthy as a healthy after-dinner dessert. Enjoy it warm from the oven with a pat of butter or cream cheese or keep it on your counter for a tasty treat during the week.

23 of 29

24 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin Spice Pudding

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The key to making this healthy, smooth pudding is constant slow whisking. A staff favorite, this recipe is one you'll want to pin for an easy make-ahead dessert.

24 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 29

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.

25 of 29

26 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lemon Cardamom Meringue Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Bite into one of these cookies and you'll discover the subtle flavor of spice kissed with a hint of citrus. And the best part? Just 9 calories each!

26 of 29

27 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These pumpkin sugar cookies are soft and moist with just the right amount of spice and a delicate pumpkin flavor topped off with a nice lightly spiced glaze. They're perfect for a fall after-school snack or light dessert.

27 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

While pumpkin pie deserves respect as a Thanksgiving icon, it's fun to shake up tradition. Surprise your family and friends with a frozen pie this year--it just might become one of their holiday favorites. No need to let them know how easy it is.

28 of 29

29 of 29

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.

29 of 29

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 29 Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies
2 of 29 Orange Chocolate Tart
3 of 29 Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
4 of 29 Vegan Pumpkin Pie
5 of 29 Chai-Spiced Apple Pie
6 of 29 Caramel Apple Cookies
7 of 29 Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
8 of 29 Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Pie
9 of 29 No-Bake Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
10 of 29 Pecan Pie Bars
11 of 29 Purple Sweet Potato Pie
12 of 29 Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Cookies
13 of 29 Chocolate-Sweet Potato Parfait
14 of 29 Vegan Cheesecake
15 of 29 Cranberry Crumble Bars
16 of 29 Pear Almond Crostata
17 of 29 Spiced Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
18 of 29 Nutty Carrot Cake Bars
19 of 29 Pumpkin-Chocolate Cream Cake
20 of 29 Sticky Toffee Pudding with Maple Sauce
21 of 29 Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon-Marshmallow Frosting
22 of 29 Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies
23 of 29 Apple-Pie Bread
24 of 29 Pumpkin Spice Pudding
25 of 29 Cranberry-Lime Cheesecake
26 of 29 Lemon Cardamom Meringue Cookies
27 of 29 Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
28 of 29 Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie
29 of 29 Maple-Ginger Apple Pie

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 EspaƱol 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 https://www.eatingwell.com

View image

29 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.