Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts! These delicious sweet treats will save you time and sanity during the busy holiday season.
Perfect for anyone looking to reduce stress while impressing guests, these make-ahead desserts will be your go-to for Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these easy recipes are designed for everyone—no complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients here!
Thanksgiving can be a whirlwind of cooking and chaos, with so much to prepare and so little time.
From the turkey to the sides, dessert is often left to the last minute. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
I’ve gathered a collection of fabulous make-ahead desserts that you can prepare in advance, allowing you to focus on spending time with your family and enjoying the festivities.
These scrumptious desserts will make your holiday sweeter because they:
- Can be made days or weeks ahead
- Use simple, budget-friendly ingredients
- Cater to every taste, including picky eaters
So, let’s make this Thanksgiving a breeze!
Explore our list of make-ahead desserts and take the stress out of your holiday planning. Your future self will thank you!
1. Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful fall treat!
These moist bars made with real pumpkin puree and warm spices are topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, creating the perfect balance of flavors.
Ideal for gatherings or cozy nights in, they’re easy to make and sure to impress everyone!
2. Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding
Pumpkin Bread Pudding is a delightful fall dessert that combines the rich flavors of pumpkin pie with a creamy, bread pudding texture.
Topped with salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
Easy to make and make-ahead-friendly, this impressive-looking recipe will quickly become a seasonal favorite!
3. Crustless Cranberry Pie
Crustless Cranberry Pie is a delightful dessert that’s incredibly easy to make!
In just 15 minutes of prep time and 40 minutes of baking, you can enjoy a moist, sweet pie bursting with tart cranberry flavor.
Serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a perfect finish to your holiday meal!
4. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic most-loved cookies.
These easy, one-bowl cookies blend warm pumpkin spice with gooey chocolate chips for a delicious treat.
Perfect for cozy gatherings, they are soft, chewy, and irresistibly tasty.
Enjoy them fresh out of the oven and watch them disappear in no time!
5. Best Toffee Ever
Better Than Anything Toffee is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
With just 5 simple ingredients and 20 minutes of prep time, this homemade toffee combines rich, buttery caramel with smooth chocolate and crunchy pecans.
Perfect for holiday gifting or anytime snacking, this easy recipe is a foolproof way to impress with minimal effort—everyone will be reaching for seconds!
6. Easy Pumpkin Cream Trifle
Easy Pumpkin Cream Trifle is a festive dessert that’s perfect for fall gatherings!
Featuring layers of moist spiced cake, creamy pumpkin pudding, and fluffy whipped topping, this trifle serves up to 20 people.
It’s an easy make-ahead option that will impress your guests with its stunning presentation and delicious flavors!
7. Sweet Potato Pie
Soul Food Sweet Potato Pie is a nostalgic dessert that embodies the essence of Southern cooking!
With a creamy, rich filling made from sweet potatoes and warm spices, all nestled in a buttery, flaky crust, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
Enjoy a slice of comfort that tastes just like Grandma used to make!
8. Caramel Pecan Pie
Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Pie is a must-try dessert!
This creamy cheesecake features a delightful blend of crunchy pecans and sweet caramel sauce, making it an indulgent treat.
Easy to prepare with no water bath required, it’s perfect for any occasion. Your family and friends will be impressed with your baking skills!
9. Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut Butter Pie is an irresistible dessert that everyone will love!
This easy-to-make pie features a buttery chocolate graham cracker crust and a light, fluffy filling that melts in your mouth.
Perfect for holiday gatherings, it can be made ahead of time and topped with melted chocolate and mini Reese’s cups for a show-stopping treat!
10. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate fall treat!
These moist and fluffy cupcakes are bursting with warm spices and rich pumpkin flavor, topped with a delightful cream cheese frosting.
Perfect for gatherings, these easy-to-make cupcakes are sure to impress family and friends this autumn season!
11. Pumpkin Spice Snowball Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Snowballs are the perfect fall holiday treat!
These easy-to-make cookies, that are rolled in powdered sugar for a delightful finish,
bring warm pumpkin spice flavors to life. With no chill time and just one bowl needed, they are a breeze to whip up.
Your family will adore these cozy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies!
12. Pecan Cream Pie
Pecan Cream Pie is a delightful no-bake dessert!
Combining rich, nutty pecans with a silky smooth cream filling, it’s perfect for any occasion.
Your family will love its luscious texture and customized slices with whipped cream or chocolate drizzle.
Enjoy this easy, crowd-pleasing treat that feels special without the fuss!
13. Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler is a cozy fall dessert that’s as easy as it is delicious!
Warm, spiced apples meet gooey caramel and a crunchy pecan topping for a treat that feels like a warm hug.
You’ll love how quick it is to make this one-dish wonder, and how great it tastes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
14. Pumpkin Delight
Pumpkin Delight is a cozy, one-bowl dessert that brings all the warm flavors of fall straight to your table.
It combines creamy pumpkin puree, spiced cinnamon, and a buttery crust for a melt-in-your-mouth treat.
Customize with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or pecans for a festive twist—you’ll love how simple and delicious this autumn favorite is to make!
15. Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a cozy, fall-inspired dessert packed with warm spices and caramel-like sweetness.
This moist, cinnamon-scented cake includes real grated apples, adding extra flavor and texture.
Topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for autumn gatherings and easy to customize with toasted walnuts for added crunch!
16. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate autumn dessert!
With layers of creamy cheesecake, sweet-tart apples, and a buttery streusel topping, all drizzled with warm caramel sauce, these bars are a guaranteed hit.
Easy to prepare and make ahead, they’re perfect for family gatherings and holiday celebrations—enjoy every delicious bite!
17. Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Bars are the perfect fall dessert!
This layered treat combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with warm, spiced pumpkin pie flavors.
Easy to make and prepare ahead of time, these bars are as impressive-looking as they are delicious.
Enjoy a crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone will love!
18. Peanut Butter Cup Pie
No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie is the ultimate dessert for peanut butter lovers!
This quick and easy recipe requires no baking, taking only 10 minutes to prepare.
With a creamy filling packed with chopped peanut butter cups in a crunchy Oreo crust, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion!
19. Apple Crumble Pie
Apple Crumb Pie is a delightful dessert that brings together the tartness of Granny Smith apples and a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumb topping.
This easy-to-make pie is perfect for any occasion, ensuring warm, comforting flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
A family favorite that’s sure to impress!
20. Praline Pumpkin Pie
Praline Pumpkin Pie is a delightful twist on a classic favorite!
This creamy pumpkin pie topped with crunchy pecan praline is perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Its balanced sweetness and easy-to-follow instructions make it a joy to prepare.
Impress your guests and enjoy a dessert that everyone will love!
