30 Desserts That Steal the Turkey’s Spotlight

Desserts that steal the turkey’s spotlight are exactly what this is about. Let the main course do its thing, but let’s be real,everyone’s waiting to see what’s coming after. These recipes don’t just sit quietly at the end of the meal. They show up, get attention, and might even be the part people talk about most. If you’re ready to go big on the sweet stuff, you’re in the right place.

Maple Syrup Walnut Muffins

Muffins in a pan with icing and walnuts. — Maple Syrup Walnut Muffins. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Walnut muffins are sweetened with maple syrup and topped with streusel. A drizzle of icing adds a bakery touch. A hearty and spiced muffin for fall mornings.
Get the Recipe: Maple Syrup Walnut Muffins

Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies

A stack of iced oatmeal cookies. — Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These big oatmeal cookies bake up soft and chewy. A drizzle of icing seeps into every nook and cranny. A cookie worth making for a Thanksgiving dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies

Pecan Tassies

A cup of tea next to a plate of cookies with pecans. — Pecan Tassies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Mini pecan pies baked in tart shells are sweet and nutty. They’re bite-sized and easy to share. A holiday classic in small form.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Tassies

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Buttery cookies are rolled in pecans and filled with jam. They bake soft with a nutty crunch. A festive cookie that looks great on your holiday dessert platters.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Apple Cake with Cinnamon

An apple cake baked in a cast iron skillet, cut into slices. — Apple Cake with Cinnamon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Apple Cake is baked with fresh apple slices and plenty of cinnamon. It’s a simple skillet dessert with cozy flavors. Bake this cake after you take the turkey out of the oven. It’s a warm Thanksgiving favorite worth sharing, just cut into slices and serve warm from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake with Cinnamon

Apple Cider Baked Apples

A baked apples on a white plate with a glaze dripping onto a plate. — Apple Cider Baked Apples. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These baked apples are filled with pecans and cranberries, then glazed with spiced cider. They bake up warm and fragrant. A comforting fall dessert that feels right at home on the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Baked Apples

Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread

A loaf of bread with frosting on a plate. — Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This quick bread is full of apple cider, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s hearty, slightly spiced, and easy to slice. Great for breakfast or a warm bite with Thanksgiving coffee.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread

Apple Cranberry Galette

This rustic galette wraps apples and cranberries in a flaky crust. It bakes into a simple pie without needing a dish. A festive dessert full of fall flavors.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Galette

Apple Cream Scones

A slice of an Apple Scones on a white plate and a cup of tea. — Apple Cream Scones. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Apple Cream Scones are tender, buttery, and filled with apple pieces. They bake quickly for a warm afternoon dessert or make them for breakfast. A simple recipe that’s always worth making.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cream Scones

Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

Frosted and unfrosted apple cupcakes in a muffin tin. — Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Soft apple cupcakes are topped with maple buttercream. Warm spices like cinnamon and cloves make every bite feel like fall. A festive dessert to bring to Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies

Fall colored sugar cookies on a white table. — Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These sugar cookies are shaped and colored like fall leaves. They look fancy but are easy to roll, cut, and bake. A colorful addition to a Thanksgiving cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pecan pie on a plate with a slice taken out. — Bourbon Pecan Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This pecan pie has a touch of bourbon for extra warmth and flavor. The filling is sweet, nutty, and spiced just right. This holiday pie is always a classic, yet it’s extra special.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Pie

Browned Butter Blondies

Pecan blondies on a brown cutting board. — Browned Butter Blondies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Blondies baked with browned butter and pecans are rich and soft. A drizzle of cinnamon glaze makes them shine. A cozy dessert bar that’s easy to share and perfect for a holiday dessert bar.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Blondies

Butterscotch Pie

A slice of cream pie on a white plate, with a fork beside it. Another slice and the whole pie are visible in the background. — Butterscotch Pie with Meringue. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This creamy butterscotch pie is topped with meringue. It’s smooth, sweet, and feels like a vintage holiday recipe. A decadent pie to slice and serve at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Pie

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Caramel Apple Popcorn is crisp, buttery, and packed with apple-caramel flavor. It’s a simple snack for the whole family to munch on after Thanksgiving dinner. Just pop some corn, make a quick caramel syrup and mix it up, you can even make this in advance so it’s ready for the big day.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Popcorn

Chai Shortbread Cookies

Chai cookies on a white plate. — Chai Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Shortbread cookies are flavored with chai spices and tea. They bake tender with hints of cardamom and ginger. A spiced cookie perfect for sharing with coffee.
Get the Recipe: Chai Shortbread Cookies

Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts

An overhead view of a cinnamon bread. — Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This yeasted bread pulls apart into soft cinnamon-coated pieces. A drizzle of icing makes it extra sweet. A fun bread we like to eat as a dessert to share warm from the oven.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts

Cinnamon Madeleines

Madeleines dusted with powdered sugar sit on a black cooling rack next to a green checkered cloth. — Cinnamon Madeleine Cakes. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Light sponge cakes are baked with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They bring a warm French touch to fall baking. A simple yet elegant treat for Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Madeleines

Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls

Cinnamon crescent rolls on a white plate. — Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Crescent roll dough makes quick cinnamon rolls. They bake golden and buttery with a sweet filling. A shortcut recipe that’s ready fast for holiday mornings, or serve as a dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls

Gingerbread Muffins

These muffins are moist and full of gingerbread spices. They bake up soft and fragrant. A cozy recipe to enjoy warm from the oven at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Muffins

Blackberry Crumble Pie

A slice of berry crumble pie served on a white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. A blue and white napkin is placed under the plate. — Blackberry Crumble Pie. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This pie has a buttery crust, blackberry filling, and spiced crumble topping. It’s juicy, rich, and full of flavor. A pie worth baking for a holiday dessert.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Crumble Pie

Candy Corn Jello Cups

Orange and yellow Jello dessert cups on a tray. — Candy Corn Jello Cups. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Layered jello cups bring bright candy corn colors to the table. They’re fun, festive, and kid-friendly. A cheerful dessert for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Candy Corn Jello Cups

Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

Layers of cheesecake, pumpkin, and cake fill this trifle. It’s creamy, spiced, and eye-catching. A no-fuss dessert that’s always a holiday hit.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

Crispy Pumpkin Biscotti Cookies

Three slices of chocolate biscotti on a white plate, placed on a wooden surface with a piece of burlap nearby. — Crispy Pumpkin Biscotti Cookies. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

These pumpkin biscotti are spiced and baked crisp. They’re perfect for dunking in coffee or tea. A crunchy cookie for after Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Pumpkin Biscotti Cookies

Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake

A piece of pumpkin cake with creamy topping on a plate, surrounded by canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, and a small decorative gourd. — Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake. Photo credit: In Mamma Maggies Kitchen.

This tres leches cake uses pumpkin and spices for a fall twist. It can be made ahead and stays moist. A rich and creamy cake that’s easy to serve.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake

Pumpkin Dump Cake

This dump cake layers pumpkin filling, cake mix, and nuts. It bakes into a warm and crunchy dessert. Serve with ice cream for a holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin Madeleines with Maple Glaze

A madeleine baking tray holding several golden brown madeleine cookies, some drizzled with white icing, next to a cup of coffee and a checkered cloth. — Pumpkin Madeleines with Maple Glaze. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Soft madeleines are baked with pumpkin spice. A drizzle of maple glaze adds sweetness. A light but festive dessert for the season.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Madeleines with Maple Glaze

Sweet Potato Pie On Graham Cracker Crust

A slice of sweet potato pie is cut from the whole in a glass pie dish, placed on a multicolored cloth. — Sweet Potato Pie On Graham Cracker Crust. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This pie has a graham cracker crust and creamy sweet potato filling. It’s spiced and smooth. A comforting pie that’s perfect for Thanksgiving dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie On Graham Cracker Crust

Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cranberries and Glaze

Pumpkin-and-cinnamon bars are topped with glaze. Cranberries add a tart bite. A party-friendly dessert that slices easily and taste great with coffee, tea or hot cider.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cranberries and Glaze

Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bundt Cake

A Bundt cake with white icing sits on a plate. Several slices have been cut out, revealing a golden-brown interior. A red and white checkered cloth is underneath the plate. — Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This bundt cake is made with pumpkin and warm spices. A swirl of cheesecake runs through the middle. Finished with glaze, it’s a holiday showstopper.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bundt Cake