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Easy Thanksgiving desserts to wow the family

Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are quick, simple, and delish

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Pumpkin bundt cake ready for Thanksgiving dessert
Leiada Krozjhen / Unsplash

Pies like apple, pumpkin, and pecan are Thanksgiving dessert staples. Sure, they are seasonal and delicious, but they’re also difficult and time consuming to bake. Of course, you can buy one, but with skyrocketing bakery prices, you may want to opt for homemade to save some money.

If you are hunting for a simple, sweet dish to make this November, we have easy Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are quick to put together. A couple don’t even require baking. Thanksgiving prep can be overwhelming, so you don’t need to go crazy with a complicated dessert. These low-stress Thanksgiving desserts are so simple that you can actually put older kids and teens to work whipping them up.

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Easy Thanksgiving dessert ideas

Oreo ice cream pie
Nano Erdozain / Pexels

So much goes into preparing Thanksgiving dinner. When you’re worrying about the timing of the turkey, it can be hard to think about dessert. Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be the same without dessert, though, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. These Thanksgiving desserts are low on prep and high on taste.

Oreo ice cream pie

If you want to serve a pie for Thanksgiving dessert, but don’t have time for a multistep recipe that ties up the oven, this ice cream pie is the answer. It’s simply fabulous and so easy to make that the kids can do it. All you need for an Oreo ice cream pie is a ready-made crust, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Oreo cookies, and Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup.

  • Take the pre-made Oreo pie crust and fill it with vanilla ice cream. Fill the crust almost to the top.
  • Spread a layer of whipped cream on top like you would icing.
  • Crush Oreos with your hands and sprinkle a layer on top.
  • Drizzle the Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup all over the layer of crushed Oreos.
  • Freeze overnight if possible. If unable to freeze overnight, put it in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving,

Pumpkin ice cream pie

Many ice cream lovers get just as excited about pumpkin ice cream in the fall as they do pumpkin-spiced lattes. Making a pumpkin ice cream pie is similar to the Oreo ice cream pie, but instead of Oreos and chocolate syrup you use graham crackers and caramel.

  • Fill a pre-made graham cracker crust with pumpkin ice cream, leaving a bit of space at the top.
  • Spread a layer of whipped cream like icing.
  • Crush graham crackers with your hands and sprinkle a layer on top.
  • Drizzle caramel over the crushed graham crackers.
  • Freeze overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours before serving.

Pumpkin chia pudding

Desserts can get pretty sweet. So, if you want a healthier option, try this easy-to-make pumpkin chia pudding.

  • Pour 1 cup of your favorite milk into a mixing bowl.
  • Add 1 cup of chia seeds.
  • Stir in a 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree.
  • Add in a 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice.
  • Stir all the ingredients together.
  • Pour into an airtight container.
  • Cover and place in fridge.
  • Allow to sit overnight.
  • Spoon into dessert cups.
  • Top with a spoonful of whipped cream and a cinnamon stick (optional).

This recipe makes 4 servings. If you need more, just double the ingredients.

Pumpkin cake

If you must have the traditional pumpkin on the dessert table, opt for pumpkin cake or cupcakes. When strapped for time, just use a boxed pumpkin cake mix. You can make a traditional layer cake, cupcakes, or a bundt cake. Top with vanilla or cream cheese icing. For an extra kick, sprinkle pumpkin spice on top. If you want to make a pumpkin cake from scratch, Averie Cooks has a delish recipe that includes directions for cream cheese frosting.

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Pumpkin brownies

Another way to bring pumpkin to the dessert table this Thanksgiving that’s not in a pie form is to make pumpkin brownies. On My Kid’s Plate has a super simple pumpkin brownie recipe that uses your favorite brownie mix and a can of pumpkin puree.

Like the sides, some people just can’t wait to dig into dessert on Thanksgiving. Apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies may be traditional desserts for this November holiday, but not everyone likes or can make them. Traditional holiday pies can be complicated to bake and take up time you may not have. If you want easy Thanksgiving dessert recipes, give one or more of these a try. They are honestly so simple to make that older kids and teens can do it while you’re busy prepping the main meal. These Thanksgiving desserts are also scrumptious, and you really won’t believe how little effort is needed.

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