The easiest Thanksgiving dessert ideas are the ones that don’t need your oven on the big day. Below are the ones we found in the sources we read, sorted into four groups: no-oven, bake a day or two ahead, built to travel, and best the day you bake them. Pick by your calendar, not just by flavor.
We haven’t baked any of these ourselves, and the timing notes come from the recipe sources named in each section. Your oven, your kitchen and your guests may differ, so use these as a planning guide!
Which Thanksgiving dessert ideas need no oven?
Several, and they’re the best answer when the turkey and sides already own the oven. Southern Living puts it plainly: don’t give precious oven space to dessert when the turkey and sweet potato casserole need baking.
- Nanaimo bars. Serious Eats says they take about 30 minutes with no cooking, then two hours in the fridge, and they slice into clean squares if kept chilled.
- Scotcheroos. Southern Living says these no-bake treats keep in an airtight container on the counter for up to five days, so you can make them a few days early.
- No-bake peanut butter bars. Also from Southern Living, and a fun one for kids to help with.
- Fudgy pecan bourbon balls. Southern Living says they freeze well and keep in the fridge up to a week.
- No-bake pumpkin cheesecake pie and pumpkin trifle. My Baking Addiction lists both as easy options, but its page gives no chill times, so check the full recipe.
What can you bake a day or two ahead?
Custard-style desserts and bars are the usual picks. King Arthur Baking says its pumpkin pecan pie is best made a day ahead, which gives the flavors time to settle and frees up your oven on the big day.
Here’s what its pumpkin pecan pie asks of you: bake at 375°F, let it cool for at least four hours (overnight is better), and refrigerate leftovers loosely covered for up to four days. It also says not to freeze it.
- Mini pumpkin cheesecakes. Southern Living says you can make them up to two days ahead and top them with whipped cream just before serving.
- Brown butter blondies. Southern Living says they can be made ahead and even frozen.
- Pecan kisses. Four ingredients, and they keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
- Pumpkin snickerdoodle dough. Southern Living says the dough keeps in the fridge up to three days before baking.
Which desserts travel well to someone else’s house?
Bars, tarts and anything baked in its own pan. Serious Eats’ list of make-ahead desserts that travel well has a few smart tricks, and its travel roundup is worth a skim before you pack the car.
- Slab apple pie. Baked on a 13 by 18 inch rimmed sheet. Once fully cooled, cover it with foil for the drive.
- Pecan tassies. Once cooled, pop them back into the cleaned pan for the trip.
- Classic pecan pie. The whole pecans on top form a protective layer that helps the filling stay put.
- Pumpkin spice latte tiramisu. It travels in its baking dish. Dust on the cinnamon and espresso powder after you arrive.
Illustration: desserts baked in their own pan travel best.
The same list also includes apple hand pies, cranberry crumble galette, lemon bars and an apple cider doughnut cake with no frosting to smudge. If you need a classic filling to start from, our Joy of Cooking apple pie recipe is a good base.
Which ones are best the day you bake them?
Pastry-heavy treats. Southern Living says its apple turnovers are best the day they’re made, though you can freeze them before baking if you want to get ahead.
That’s a useful rule of thumb. If a dessert depends on crisp pastry, plan to bake it close to serving, or freeze it unbaked and bake it fresh. Make-ahead is great, but it isn’t free for every recipe!
How do you plan the dessert table?
Mix one dessert from each group. A bar from the no-oven list, a pie you bake the day before, and one pastry that you bake fresh gives you something for every guest, and your oven stays out of the way of the turkey.
Southern Living also suggests mini desserts so nobody has to pick between pecan, pumpkin, cranberry or apple. Want something offbeat? Our Baja Blast pie copycat is a cult favorite.
For the rest of the menu, see Thanksgiving side dishes ranked, Thanksgiving appetizer ideas and crockpot Thanksgiving sides that free up the stove.
Thanksgiving dessert questions people ask
Can you make Thanksgiving desserts ahead of time?
Many, yes. King Arthur’s pumpkin pecan pie is best a day ahead, and Southern Living’s mini pumpkin cheesecakes keep up to two days. Pastry-based treats like turnovers are better fresh.
Can you freeze them?
It depends on the dessert. Southern Living says blondies and bourbon balls freeze well, but King Arthur says not to freeze its pumpkin pecan pie.
What dessert doesn’t need an oven?
Nanaimo bars, scotcheroos, peanut butter bars and bourbon balls from the lists above are all no-bake.