38 Amazing No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
Updated: Jan. 31, 2024
Your oven has enough to do on Thanksgiving (it's called Turkey Day, after all). This year, fill your treat table with easy no-bake desserts, from pie and trifle to ice cream and crisp.
If you’re hosting Turkey Day, easy recipes are your best friends. And there’s nothing easier than no-bake Thanksgiving desserts.
No-bake treats like these give you more room in your oven for all those holiday sides and, of course, the turkey. Plus, so many of these sweets can be made in advance which makes the big day a little less stressful.
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Cookie Butter Pie
I tasted Biscoff cookie spread at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make this pie your own by substituting peanut butter or another kind of spread for the Biscoff spread and then matching toppings. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, AlabamaIf you’re looking for a fruitier option, you can try this no-bake sweet mango delicacy- mango delight!
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Pumpkin Charlotte
My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit. —Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois
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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys
We’ve all seen chocolate-covered strawberries, but what about chocolate-covered strawberry turkeys? Elevate your Thanksgiving table with this festive spin on a classic treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Sauce
Truthfully, I want those cozy flavors of Thanksgiving throughout the year. This ice cream has just the right balance of spices, and no matter when you make it, you'll find yourself surrounded in the warmth and love that pumpkin pie has to offer. —Angie Stewart, Memphis, Tennessee
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No-Bake Apple Pie
We always have an abundance of apples in the fall, so I like to make this easy pie. My husband has diabetes, and this recipe fits into his diet … but everyone enjoys it. —Shirley Vredenburg, Ossineke, Michigan
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Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
Here’s my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen—with a surprise inside. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Caramelized Pears
After picking an abundant crop of pears, I was looking for new ways to enjoy them. A friend suggested warming them with butter and brown sugar. This tasty recipe was the result! We like them with vanilla bean ice cream, but plain vanilla or cinnamon are also quite delicious! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
For a tasty treat during the fall, try this pumpkin chiffon pie. The vanilla pudding makes is extra creamy.—Karen Grimes, Stephens City, Virginia
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Chocolate Truffle Pie
I discovered a fast recipe for a delectable chocolate mousse some years ago and thought it might make a good filling for a pie. The chocolate lovers in our family endorse this scrumptious dessert, saying that it “melts in your mouth”! —Keri Scofield Lawson, Fullerton, California
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Cranberry-Orange Tiramisu
The holiday version of tiramisu trades the amaretto and coffee notes of the traditional dessert for the bright, seasonal flavors of cranberries and orange. The combination of orange liqueur and Marsala wine make this a delicious and potent meal-ender. —Jerry Gulley, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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No-Bake Cappuccino Dessert
Summer gatherings call for cool desserts like this one. Lots of the party invites I receive come with a request for this delicious treat. You can make it even more chocolaty by adding cocoa powder to the dry pudding mixes. —Mary Beth Desens, Fredonia, Wisconsin
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Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
The combination of pumpkin and dark chocolate is unexpected and delectable. These delicious truffles make a pretty addition to a party plate, a sweet way to finish up a meal, or a gift your friends and family will love. —Monica Mooney, Roseville, California
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Pressure-Cooker Flan in a Jar
Spoil yourself or the people you love with these delightful portable custards—a cute and fun take on the Mexican dessert classic. Tuck a jar into your lunchbox for a sweet treat. —Megumi Garcia, Madison, Wisconsin
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When you don’t want to turn on your oven, give these no-bake fall desserts a try.
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Lazy Cake
This lazy cake will fix that sweet tooth craving. The no-bake treat is made with cookie pieces stirred with hazelnut spread. Then chill it for a super simple dessert. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Hot Chocolate Tiramisu
Instead of using coffee and rum, I let cinnamon shine in this tiramisu. It's best if eaten within two days—if it even lasts that long! —Cathy Geniti, Saratoga Springs, New York
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No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprints
Years ago, a friend gave me a recipe for chocolate peanut treats that didn’t require baking. I thought it was a quick and clever way to whip up a batch of sweet snacks without heating up the kitchen, and I started making different variations. This one includes luscious Nutella and crunchy hazelnuts. Yum! —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream Pie
My family and I always try new desserts during the holidays. This one was a clear winner, so we now make it for all occasions! —Patricia Ness, La Mesa, California
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Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears
While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama
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Salted Dark Chocolate Tart
When I was little, my grandpa always had a bag of caramels in his truck and a few in his pocket. Whether we were camping or going to a movie, I enjoyed sharing caramels with him. Now I try to put caramel in as many of my desserts as possible, including this sweet and salty tart. —Leah Tackitt, Austin, Texas
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Pumpkin Spice Custard
Here’s a traditional slow-cooker pumpkin spice custard with some espresso powder for a latte effect. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
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Cranberry-Kissed Chocolate Silk
I combined fresh cranberry salad with the rich custard known as pots de crème, and the result is ever so elegant compared to the usual desserts. —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah
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Pumpkin Crunch Parfaits
Here’s a fun dessert that your youngsters can help make. It’s a great treat for Halloween or Thanksgiving.—Lorraine J. Darocha, Berkshire, Massachusetts
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Cappuccino Mousse Trifle
“This is the easiest trifle I’ve ever made, yet it looks like I spent time on it,” says Tracy Bergland, Prior Lake, Minnesota. “I like to pipe whipped topping around the edge of the bowl, grate chocolate in the center and sprinkle with cinnamon. It gets rave reviews.”
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Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta
Everything about this dessert, from the pretty presentation to its silky smooth texture, says special. Rich chocolate is accented by the flavor of sweet, ripe berries perfectly. —Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut
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Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
Although it looks like you fussed, this pretty layered pie is easy to assemble with convenient canned pumpkin, store-bought candy bars and a prepared crust. “This make-ahead dessert is delicious any time of year,” reports Suzanne McKinley of Lyons, Georgia.
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Cranberry Stuffed Apples
Cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, while the slow cooker does most of the work. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New York
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Pumpkin Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a classic dessert that everyone enjoys. For a more fall flavor, try this version, which features a creamy pumpkin filling and sweet spices.—Holly Billings, Battlefield, Missouri
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Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding Cake
A satisfying dessert like this is a superb treat on a chilly night. It has three layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. It's comfort food for the soul. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Pie
I love chocolate, caramel and hazelnuts, so I came up with a recipe that has all three. If you don’t have a food processor, place crust ingredients in a zip-top freezer bag and smash with a rolling pin. —Debbie Anderson, Mount Angel, Oregon
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Crunchy Peanut Butter Tarts
For a fun, fuss-free dessert, try these darling tarts. They’re a satisfying, rich family favorite. —Mary Kelley, Wilmington, North Carolina
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Banana Crumb Pudding
Friends and family ask me to make my banana pudding for all occasions. —Yvonnia Butner, Pinnacle, North Carolina
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Pumpkin Icebox Cake
This tube cake is a fun, simple way to make a quick dessert. Pumpkin, chocolate and spice are very nice. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
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Chocolate Caramel Turkey Legs
Mention turkey legs made of pretzels and chocolate, and the kids come running. Let them help by unwrapping caramels for this easy, no-bake treat. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Caramel Fluff & Toffee Trifle
The best part of this stunning dessert is that you need only five ingredients to put it together. —Daniel Anderson, Pleasant Prairie, WisconsinOriginally Published: November 21, 2022
