Thanksgiving Desserts That Are Better Than Pie

Thanksgiving is typically pie’s moment to shine, but there’s no reason to limit a spread of Thanksgiving desserts to pie exclusively! These make-ahead-friendly Mediterranean Thanksgiving dessert ideas prove that there’s room for more.

A close up of a slice of baklava cheesecake on a platter with the rest of the cake. I the background are small bowls of nuts. — Baklava Cheesecake Photo Credits: Mark Beahm

Thanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint, and when it comes to dessert, I want to offer something that feels as special as the rest of the meal. For me personally, pie will just never be it.

I absolutely enjoy a beautifully made apple pie if someone else makes it, but when I’m hosting, I’d rather skip the task of rolling out pastry in an already-warm kitchen and offer something else instead.

If you’re looking for Thanksgiving dessert ideas that shake up the typical pie parade, read on. These dishes, some of which are great for gluten-free guests, are perfect additions to your menu, whether you’re hosting a meal or bringing a dish to someone else’s.

Tiramisu

In Italian, Tiramisu means “pick me up” and this classic combination of coffee-soaked ladyfinger cookies and fluffy mascarpone cheese is rich and creamy, but not overly sweet. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving dessert because you can make it ahead of time, and check one thing off your list. For a riff on the classic, try our Pistachio Tiramisu!

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Baklava Cheesecake

Part cheesecake, part baklava, this stunning dessert unites cozy flavors of orange, honey, and cinnamon together in a feathery and crisp phyllo crust. If you can’t imagine Thanksgiving without pie, try our hybrid version: Baklava Pumpkin Pie!

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A close up of the flourless chocolate cake with 2 slices cut on a serving platter.

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Cardamom

Need a dairy-free and gluten-free Thanksgiving dessert? We’ve got you covered with this elegant and aromatic chocolate cake. Cardamom adds a whisper of warmth to the fudgy batter, and the crackly top is perfect for holding a dollop of whipped cream and a few citrus supremes.

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Limoncello Cake

Bright, citrusy, and topped with a burnished crown of toasted meringue, this elegant lemon cake is meant for a party. The sunny lemon flavor is a welcome finish to a rich holiday feast, and it’s got layers of lemony flavor from both fresh citrus and limoncello. Because it’s a single-layer cake, a small slice doesn’t feel like too much of a commitment after a big meal.

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Overhead shot of a serving of baked pears. There is a large spoonful of ricotta cheese, a baked pear resting with its cut side facing up, and candied almonds sprinkled over top. It's all finished with a drizzle of honey.

Baked Pears with Almonds, Honey, and Ricotta

These tender roasted pears capture the essence of fall with minimal effort—just fresh fruit baked with warming spices, a little brown sugar, a drizzle of honey, and a dollop of creamy ricotta. The resulting dessert is both elegant and easy to scale up for a crowd. Plus, they bring a lighter option to the dessert lineup, which plenty of guests will appreciate after a generous Thanksgiving feast.

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