Gobble Gobble: 10 Thanksgiving Desserts Worth Saving Room For

As family and friends gather ‘round, there’s no better reason to pull out the best recipes in your repertoire. Forget the focus on mains and sides–these Thanksgiving desserts are here to steal the show.

We’ve got a little something for everyone. Traditionalists can find new inspiration for this year’s pumpkin or pecan pie, while out-of-the-box cooks can try timeless ingredients in new forms. (We even feature an iced coffee for those who need caffeine to make it through the holidays).

Ultimately, this recipe collection is all about enjoying the flavors of fall one more time before winter begins. Creamy pumpkin, warm spices, pops of citrus, and fresh berries…with a lineup like this, you’ll certainly be saving room for dessert!

What better way to kick things off than with a tried-and-true Thanksgiving classic? A terrific trio of fall spices come together in this Creamy Pumpkin Pie–cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. With whipped cream to add a finishing pop of sweetness, you’re sure to lick your plate clean.

Get out your camera! This zesty Lemon Pie is an absolute showstopper. From the golden-brown, gluten-free base to the tangy filling to the sweet meringue swirls on top, every layer is as delicious as the last. Since Thanksgiving dinners can be quite heavy, this pop of lighter flavor at the end provides the perfect palate cleanser.

These bars are so simple to make, coming together in just 40 minutes and easily stored for later snacking or sharing. They call for a bunch of classic fall flavors–cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin, and brown sugar–but also a Latin twist of finger-licking dulce de leche.

Waffles might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving, but this holiday isn’t all about dinner! With a busy day of cooking and hosting ahead, you’ll need breakfast fuel. Luckily, this batter includes a little extra treat–sweetened condensed milk–to make them decadent, fluffy, and perfectly balanced out by a topping of fresh fruits.

Of all the Thanksgiving dessert varieties, pies are an undeniable go-to. This one is sure to get snapped up shortly after being sliced, utilizing the unexpected flavor combo of rich chocolate, sugary dulce de leche, and buttery pecan. Are you drooling yet?

Feel like pumpkin pie is all played out? Give an old favorite ingredient new life by adding Pumpkin Flan to the Thanksgiving table this year. With a history tracing back to ancient Rome, flan has stood the test of time, and only gotten more delicious with each reimagination. In this iteration, sweetened condensed milk ensures a beautiful creaminess, while caramelized sugar brings rich depth to this decadent dessert.

Flan: the dessert so nice, we included it twice. If pumpkin’s not your thing, turn to this rich, smooth slice spiced with ground cinnamon. Between a pool of golden caramelized sugar, cinnamon sticks, and a sprig of mint to garnish, the plated pieces are almost too pretty to eat.

Speaking of gorgeous desserts, few can rival the absolute artistry of these Apple Pie Roses. The essence of fall is infused in every layered bite, with flaky puff pastry and thinly-sliced apple twisting together. As if that weren’t picturesque enough, a dusting of powdered sugar makes it look like the first snow of the season has come early. This is a dish that will have all your Thanksgiving guests ooh-ing and ahh-ing over your baking prowess.

Thumbprint cookies are usually filled with jam, but you’ll have plenty of that in your Thanksgiving spread already. So, for a Latin-inspired twist, this version uses a center swirl of delectable dulce de leche, a caramelized milk delicacy that’s impossible to resist. And as another tasty tweak, the dough is rolled in finely chopped nuts or cinnamon sugar, making every bite extra magical.

The cold is closing in fast, so enjoy your iced drinks while you still can! Loaded with sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and ground cinnamon, this coffee is sugary enough to take the place of dessert. Enjoy it for a morning jolt, afternoon pick-me-up, or both (it’s the holidays–treat yourself!).