I love classic Thanksgiving desserts like Pumpkin Pie, but it’s always nice to have an additional treat or two on hand—something sweet for guests to enjoy as a snack during the days following Thanksgiving or as a second dessert option. These recipes are some of my favourites for both of the Thanksgivings I get to celebrate.
Yes, that’s right! I’m very lucky because most years we have two Thanksgivings. I come from Canada so my family and I celebrate Thanksgiving in October, and then we celebrate again in November with our American friend and her family. Not bad for someone who lives in the UK, where Thanksgiving isn’t actually celebrated! Thank goodness I have lots of Thanksgiving dessert recipes up my sleeve so there’s always something different to share.
I can’t get a fresh turkey easily this time of year in the UK so if I’m cooking, we have the biggest chicken I can find, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and of course, cranberry sauce. We traditionally enjoy pumpkin pie for dessert, but I also like to offer other options alongside. And of course, there are some folks out there who really don’t like pumpkin pie, so it’s nice to have an alternative for them as well. These are some of the delicious Thanksgiving dessert recipes I will be choosing from this year.
Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
A real showstopper, this flavourful Spicy Pumpkin Bundt Cake is one of my favourite Thanksgiving dessert recipes. It’s relatively easy to make, serves lots of people and keeps really well. I love it with a cup of tea for breakfast Thanksgiving morning as well as for dessert with ice cream or whipped cream. This makes a really big cake so be sure your bundt pan is big enough!
Topped with a spicy ginger glaze, this aromatic Banana Gingerbread Loaf is a family favourite I make again and again. Moist and delicious, this loaf cake improves with age and is perfect as a cut and come again treat. Or serve it as dessert with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
I love this sticky sweet walnut studded Banana Date Cake with Walnut and Honey Glaze. One of my go to Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes, it’s reminiscent of a traditional fruit cake but with a lot more flavour and style. Serve it with a cup of coffee or tea after Thanksgiving dinner.
For pumpkin flavour without the pie, this Easy Pumpkin Cake is a real winner. You can make it to suit your family, using raisins or nuts or just leave it plain. A fun Thanksgiving bake to make with your kids, the cream cheese frosting makes this really special.
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving in October or November, or even if you live somewhere where Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated at all like I do, I hope this will be a season of great abundance and gratitude for you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Comments & Reviews
Happy Thanksgiving to you! I’m an American living in the UK so while they don’t celebrate it here, I will be next month. What a lovely cake – that icing looks swoon worthy!
Thank you so much, Sarah! And thank you for the compliment about my cake too! I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration. You may already know this, but Ocado have a great range of Thanksgiving treats – they just don’t offer them early enough for me! Also my local butcher will get turkeys in November for the Americans celebrating, even though they normally don’t stock them till Christmas. (They have offered to get one for me, but I forgot to order one early enough!) Perhaps your local butcher might do the same 🙂
Happy holiday to you April 🙂
Here we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving either….
You have here some great cakes. I think my favorite is the Apple Pecan Cake 🙂
Thank you so much, Winnie! And thank you for the compliment – the Apple Pecan Cake is one of my favourites as well 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving, April! The cakes look really tasty! I liked them all and will definitely try your banana date cake with walnut and honey glaze! Pinning!
Thank you so much, Hadia! I hope you enjoy the Banana Date and Walnut Cake as much as we do – please let me know what you think 🙂
These are some tasty looking desserts actually perfect for any occasion 🙂
Thank you, Stephanie!
I totally agree with you on 2nd non-classic dessert option! I always have pumpkin pie and pecan pie, but I also add something different, like chocolate bundt cake last year. Haha
That sounds lovely, Shinee 🙂
I’ll have some of each please! 😀
Thank you, Sarah!
These desserts look perfect for the Thanksgiving meal! I love the drizzle on that Spicy Pumpkin Bundt Cake and the maple glaze on the Apple Pecan Cake. Yum!
My husband hates pumpkin pie — so we always do a pecan and at least one or two other desserts to make him happy! LOL! That bundt, though…
This roundup of recipes is literally making me salivate! the drizzle on that pumpkin bundt spice cake. I feel like these recipes can be made all year round too not just Thanksgiving! but maybe that’s just because i’m mildly pumpkin obsessed..! Thanks for sharing 🙂
April, I must try that banana gingerbread loaf! I haven’t been making enough loaf cakes lately.
It really is delicious, Jean 🙂 I’ve been baking loaf cakes today actually!
These sound delicious! I had to pin a few of them to make later.
Thank you so much, Michelle, and I really appreciate you pinning as well!
Wonderful choices, April. I think many people who don’t like pumpkin pie don’t like it because of the texture, so they can enjoy pumpkin cakes.
Thank you, Jean! 🙂 I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
There’s something for everyone here April. What a scrumptious variety.
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas! We have a lot of family gatherings coming up in the weeks ahead and now I have some great options!
I’m so glad you are feeling inspired, Laura! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing.