The Most Popular Thanksgiving Desserts in the US

Thanksgiving would not be complete without some sweet treats to balance out all that savory food. Here are a few favorites you should add to your table this November.

Milk Bar classic! This pie features an irresistibly creamy salty-sweet filling in an irresistibly satisfying oat-cookie crust – the ideal holiday dessert!

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie is the definitive Thanksgiving dessert, beloved among both hosts and attendees alike. Packed with cozy autumn spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves; its golden flaky crust adds satisfying texture for this warming dessert that can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature or gently heated to give an instant fall fix! Whether hosting or contributing a dish at another’s gathering – nothing adds the spirit of celebration quite like ending a big meal with such an iconic treat!

Purists might claim that homemade pumpkin pie is the ultimate treat, but most Americans lack the time or culinary know-how to make one from scratch. Luckily, supermarket bakeries and grocery store bakery departments across America have plenty of premade options that look and taste just like homemade creations; from airy meringue to apple crisp and creamy pumpkin cheesecake.

Wegmans stands out as one of our premier choices with its delicious cheese selection and delectable deli sandwiches. Their version was tied for the largest of our sample with signs of mass production slickness along the edges and cracking and some small craters in its filling; yet still managed to taste delectably delicious!

Le Gourmet Central presents this tasty pumpkin pie variation for those who prefer something less spongy. Plus, this dessert is quicker to prepare – great if you don’t have time for traditional baking!

Lopez-Alt recommends beating the eggs slowly to combine in order to prevent curdling of the filling, and not overbaking it; pull it from the oven when its edges have set while its middle still jiggles a little for maximum luscious and even slices!

Pecan Pie

Few desserts evoke the warm welcome of Southern cooking like pecan pie. This irresistibly rich classic combines crunchy toasted pecans and velvety rich melted chocolate into one irresistibly tasty pie crust treat, making this timeless treat the perfect dessert to serve for Thanksgiving or any special occasion.

Original pecan pie recipes often include eggs, sugar (typically brown and corn syrups), melted butter and an abundance of pecans for their custard-like filling. Over time, bakers have added regional variations and innovative flavors, such as replacing dark Karo syrup with lighter versions such as light Karo syrup to intensify its sweet caramelized sweetness and complexity; many chefs even incorporate toasty or complex notes from whiskey into this seasonal classic!

Cooks can enhance this recipe’s flavor and texture by making subtle modifications such as switching up the sweeteners used. Combining both types of sugar will result in a richer pie than using only one variety. Salt may be added to balance sweetness while further amplifying nutty notes.

Baking Tip: For an attractive golden crust and well-set filling, bake a pie until its center no longer wiggles when gently shaken – use an instant-read thermometer to ensure this happens at 200degF in the center. If browning occurs before it has finished cooking, creating an aluminum foil shield during the last stage will help prevent its crust from burning and make sure a beautiful golden color emerges!

Once baked and chilled, pecan pie keeps beautifully. For optimal results, wait several hours before cutting so that its chocolate and filling have had time to fully set before cutting – this allows the pie to slice smoothly while improving both its texture and flavor. For long-term storage purposes, cover tightly in plastic and foil prior to placing in the refrigerator, which preserves quality while quickly thawing for serving quickly at holiday gatherings and parties.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin cheesecake is an indulgent dessert that can be enjoyed year-round, yet its popularity peaks during autumn when its seasonal flavors shine brightest. Easy to make and perfect for casual family gatherings or holiday parties alike – pumpkin cheesecake can even be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until needed for formal gatherings!

This recipe uses affordable and readily available ingredients that make it a budget-friendly dessert option. Canned pumpkin puree adds sweet flavor, while cream cheese and graham crackers are pantry essentials. Additional toppings such as whipped cream rosettes or chocolate drizzle patterns make these bars look elegant as centerpieces for celebrations or everyday treats alike!

Preparing the crust properly is key to crafting delicious desserts. A food processor provides uniform crumbs that easily come together without becoming paste-like when pressed into your baking pan firmly and evenly ensuring an even surface with crisp edges.

Folding gently helps ensure a light texture when creating cheesecake filling. Combine cream cheese and sugars until creamy; scrape down bowl as necessary. Gradually incorporate pumpkin puree, sour cream, vanilla bean extract and pumpkin pie spice until silky-smooth; gradually incorporate pumpkin puree, sour cream and pumpkin pie spice; finally fold in egg whites gradually, beating just until combined.

Spices in this recipe add warm and inviting aromas that complement fall flavors perfectly. Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are popularly known for their health benefits and they have long histories of travel and exploration. While store-bought blends of pumpkin pie spice are readily available, creating your own mix is easy and cost effective, and will significantly enhance homemade quality of this dessert!

To keep this dessert light on calories, serve individual bars rather than one large cake. This helps manage portion sizes and enable guests to take as much filling as they please without overeating. For added festive appeal, sprinkle toasted pecans overtop the topping and finish off with drizzles of caramel for a festive flair!

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is an autumn classic and easy dessert that can be enjoyed anytime of year. Boasting sweet and savory flavors that appeal to anyone – from those looking for lighter dessert options like pie to those preferring something lighter like parfait. Apple crisp is typically created by mixing tart or sweet baking apples, cane sugar, oats and warming spices such as cinnamon into one delicious recipe.

Add your own flair to this classic recipe by altering its ingredients or toppings, such as adding crunch and texture. A splash of bourbon or rum added to caramel sauce gives this dish an adult-minded twist, as well as making for an attractive centerpiece on any Thanksgiving or holiday dinner table.

Though this dessert should be served warm, you can prepare its topping in advance and reheat it before serving. However, make sure it stays refrigerated and gently heat it back up to avoid sogginess.

Start this simple recipe by placing the apple slices in a large bowl, followed by adding cane sugar and warming spices for optimal flavor enhancement. Next, incorporate crunchy texture from oats for an unexpected crunch! Lastly, brown sugar provides additional depth with its caramel-like sweetness that compliments all other ingredients used.

Now add the flour to the mixture, using either a pastry blender or your hands, and mix thoroughly before cutting in cubed cold butter cubes until your dough resembles coarse crumbs. Finally, once all the ingredients have been combined, spread out apple slices evenly on a lightly greased baking dish before topping with topping and baking until golden-brown and bubbly!

This recipe offers a fun and creative take on traditional apple crisp that makes an impressive presentation at any gathering. Especially beautiful during autumn when apples are at their prime and warm spices add comforting warmth, it requires only basic pantry items such as flour, oats and sugar for preparation!