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  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Recipe Index
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizer
    • Beverage
    • Breakfast
    • CopyCat
    • Dessert
    • Seasonal
    • Main Dish
    • Homemade Pantry and Staple
    • Pizza
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snack
    • Soup
    • Linky Parties
Cincy Shopper / Recipes / Seasonal / Thanksgiving / Thanksgiving Recipes and Tips

Thanksgiving Recipes and Tips

November 17, 2020

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Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes are all over the place and are hard to sort through. We made this roundup to help you plan your meal!

Planning a great Thanksgiving dinner can be a bit of a chore. There are all sorts of recipes on the internet, so we made a roundup of some of our best, most-delicious recipes to help you plan for Turkey Day. Our Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes will have you covered through the main course, the sides, and all the way to dessert! We even have a few tips to help you plan for portions.

Collage Best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes and Tips

My favorite Thanksgiving dinner tip is making dishes that I can ahead of time. Thankfully, plenty of our Thanksgiving recipes here have options to make things ahead of time!

thanksgiving turkey

Main Dish

Your main dish is the star of the show on Thanksgiving Dinner. The classic pick is some turkey, but there are all sorts of delicious main courses that’ll taste great at dinnertime!

If you’ve got a big crowd to feed, you might even consider making up 2 main dishes- turkey and ham, anyone? Aim for about 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of your main courses per guest- make plenty if you’re wanting leftovers!

Here are a few tips for making your turkey:

  • Let your turkey thaw completely before making it: let your turkey thaw out in the fridge, about a day for each five pounds of bird, before letting sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking.
  • Save your turkey drippings so you can make some delicious turkey gravy. It’s the perfect sauce to go with your Thanksgiving dinner!
  • For the perfect turkey- not undercooked, but not too dried out- aim for an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Once your bird hits 160 degrees, remove it from the oven and cover with foil. The turkey’s own heat will finish cooking it up to the perfect temp of 165 degrees.
Roasted Turkey
Course :
Main Course
The Best Thanksgiving Turkey is made easy and delicious with a few extra tricks. You'll love this no-fail, moist, and flavorful recipe!
4 from 2 votes
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Slow Cooker Ham Recipe
Course :
Main Course
Holiday Ham tastes delicious with a brown sugar and pineapple glaze! Slow Cooker Ham is perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving & Sunday dinners.
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Pan Seared Filet Mignon
Course :
Main Course
Pan-Seared Filet Mignon is a great dish to make for special occasions. This cut of beef is cooked to perfection with garlic & butter sauce.
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spinach dip

Appetizers

It’s going to take a while for your main dish to cook up- folks are gonna get hungry with all those delicious smells! A great way to hold everyone over until dinnertime is to fix up some tasty Thanksgiving appetizers. These recipes will also work great for any parties you have planned around Turkey Day!

Cranberry Brie Bites
Course :
Appetizer
Cranberry Brie Bites are an easy, bite-sized snack that's perfect for parties. These fruity, cheesy bites make for a great holiday appetizer!
No ratings yet
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Hot Spinach Dip
Course :
Appetizer
Warm Spinach Dip has got to be the perfect party dip. Your guests will love this warm, tasty, and delicious recipe, no matter the occasion!
4.50 from 2 votes
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Cranberry Meatballs
Course :
Appetizer
Cranberry Meatballs are sweet, spicy, and easy to make in your slow cooker. These are the perfect party appetizer for the holiday season!
No ratings yet
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Fluffy Pumpkin Dip
Course :
Appetizer
If you need an easy fall or Thanksgiving appetizer, this Fluffy Pumpkin Dip is the answer. We combine a few ingredients to make a delicious dip.
4 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Dip
Course :
Dessert
Grab your Crock-Pot and make this Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Dip and Cinnamon Chips. You will find it just like apple pie in the form of a dip.
5 from 1 vote
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Turkey Cheese Ball
Course :
Appetizer
,
Snack
This Turkey Cheese Ball is a perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving dinner. It's as easy as combining cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, a few spices, and then rolling in pecans.
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Caprese Pastry Bites
Course :
Appetizer
Caprese Bites are delicious little pastry bites with all the flavors of a caprese salad. These are an easy appetizer packed with flavor!
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green bean casserole

Thanksgiving Traditional Side Dish Recipes

You can’t go serving turkey all by itself! You need some sides to go with your bird- and we’ve got plenty of Traditional Thanksgiving Sides to pick from! Expect plenty of rich, creamy flavors from these dishes- very filling too.

Traditional Green Bean Casserole
Course :
Side Dish
Classic Green Bean Casserole is delicious with crisp onions and tender green beans. A holiday favorite to enjoy on Thanksgiving or Christmas!
4 from 1 vote
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Best Sweet Potato Casserole
Course :
Side Dish
This is absolutely the BEST Sweet Potato Casserole ever. Since this casserole includes a delicious streusel type topping, it makes it like no other.
4.50 from 14 votes
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The Best Mashed Potatoes
These are The Best Mashed Potatoes. You will find them rich and creamy and oh so easy! Perfect for a every day dinner or great for holidays.
No ratings yet
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Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Course :
Side Dish
My creamy mac and cheese is the BEST according to my friends and family.  It’s baked and so cheesy and creamy from the combination of cheeses in the easy sauce.
5 from 3 votes
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Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Course :
Side Dish
There is no reason to use the canned stuff when you can enjoy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apples for a Thanksgiving side dish. Fresh cranberries and apples make it delicious.
5 from 1 vote
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Turkey Gravy
Course :
Side Dish
Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy is a must-have sauce for the holidays. Using pan drippings, we made this simple turkey gravy recipe a very delicious addition!
5 from 1 vote
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Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing
Course :
Side Dish
Go ahead and make this Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing for the holidays. It's an easy recipe that can be stuffed in your turkey or baked in a casserole dish as dressing.
4.50 from 2 votes
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Fried Apples Recipe
Fried Apples are a delicious copycat of Cracker Barrel cooked apples. This sweet, Southern side dish is easy to make and comforting to eat.
4.80 from 5 votes
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Sweet potato casserole

Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes

Potatoes almost feel like a requirement for Turkey Day. Thankfully, you can take your potatoes in whatever direction you’d like. Stick with a classic mashed, a gorgeous-looking au gratin, or even a hash brown casserole. If you’re oven’s looking pretty cramped, a slow cooker will really come in handy- we have plenty of recipes for slow cooker potatoes! Whatever recipe you pick, make plenty- folks will eat these up.

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
No need to use precious oven space with this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole. Just grab your Crock-Pot and get this Thanksgiving side dish cooking.
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Au Gratin Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
Au Gratin Potatoes are a cheesy, creamy, delicious homemade side dish you need to try. Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any day!
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Course :
Side Dish
This homemade CopyCat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole is so cheesy and so easy to make right at home. Great for breakfast or even a dinner side.
4.70 from 72 votes
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Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a seasonal spin on the classic potato recipe. This dish is delicious and savory with bacon and chives added in.
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Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a delicious, creamy holiday side. The garlic & parmesan turn this classic dish into something special!
5 from 1 vote
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Funeral Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
Funeral Potatoes are an old fashioned recipe filled with easy, cheesy flavor! This potato casserole is perfect for a holiday side or potluck.
4.50 from 2 votes
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Sliced Sweet Potato Casserole
Course :
Dessert
,
Side Dish
Candied Sweet Potato Casserole is a sweet, delicious dish with creamy caramel flavors. This will make for an amazing holiday side!
5 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes are so easy to make. We use store bought hash browns along with pantry ingredients to create an incredibly cheesy potato casserole.
5 from 1 vote
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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
Make these Simple Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes for dinner tonight or consider them for a Thanksgiving side. The sweet streusel topping and marshmallow make these amazing.
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Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Course :
Side Dish
You can make Instant Pot Baked Potatoes so quickly and easy. No need to turn on your oven. They come out so soft and fluffy. Add on some butter or your other favorite toppings!
5 from 3 votes
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carrots on a plateThanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes

Vegetables are another must for your Thanksgiving spread! Whatever veggies you pick- carrots, green beans, or corn- make sure you make enough. 4oz per person is a good estimate, and try to pick two vegetables- if you can swing it!

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Course :
Side Dish
Crockpot Creamed Corn is a classic southern side dish you can make easy with your favorite kitchen gadget. Creamy, delicious, and a bit sweet!
5 from 2 votes
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Asparagus Casserole
Course :
Side Dish
Asparagus Casserole will be the tastiest thing at your Christmas dinner. This cheesy and creamy recipe makes for a delicious holiday side dish!
No ratings yet
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Jiffy Cornbread Casserole
Course :
Side Dish
This Jiffy Cornbread Casserole is an easy side dish for your Thanksgiving or every day meals. I like to describe it as a gooey cheese cornbread.
4.95 from 35 votes
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Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Course :
Side Dish
You can make these delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots with just three ingredients, carrots, brown sugar, and butter. We make them quickly on the stovetop.
5 from 3 votes
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Garlic Green Beans
Course :
Side Dish
Garlic Green Beans are a buttery, flavorful side dish. This savory recipe will pair well with a wide range of beef, pork, chicken, or fish entrées.
5 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Creamed Peas
Course :
Side Dish
Creamed Peas are a tasty and easy side of seasoned peas in sauce. Our simple & delicious dish is easy to make in a Crockpot or slow cooker!
No ratings yet
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Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
Course :
Main Course
,
Side Dish
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole is a comforting side dish. You will find it perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any other holiday.
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Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
You need to add this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole to your holiday side dish list. Since it uses cheese soup instead of cream of mushroom, it's perfect for those who are not fans of the usual.
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Scalloped Corn Casserole
Course :
Side Dish
This Scalloped Corn Casserole is an old school recipe that never disappoints. You can serve for weeknight dinners or a holiday dinner. And it's easy to make!
5 from 1 vote
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Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Course :
Side Dish
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are a delicious vegetable side dish cooked with butter and brown sugar. Try them today- they're so easy to make!
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Waldorf SaladThanksgiving Salad Side Dishes

One might not think of salads when they think of Thanksgiving dinner recipes. You’re missing out if you don’t make up some sweet salads for the holiday! Consider serving up something like a Jello Salad with your spread this Turkey Day. A bit of sweetness is a great way to take a break from all the savory flavors on your plate!

Waldorf Salad
Course :
Salad
You will find this Waldorf Salad loaded with apples, grapes, celery, dried cranberries, walnuts, and vanilla yogurt. It will make for a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
4.89 from 27 votes
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Old-Fashioned Cranberry Salad
Course :
Dessert
,
Side Dish
Make this Old-Fashioned Cranberry Salad, also known as a Cranberry JELLO mold for a Thanksgiving side dish this year.
4.67 from 3 votes
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Creamy Apple Salad
Course :
Dessert
,
Salad
,
Side Dish
Creamy Apple Salad is a sweet, fluffy fruit salad. Serve this colorful, flavor-packed side for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any day!
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Watergate Salad
This Watergate Salad recipe or Pistachio Delight is super tasty and super simple to make. All that is needed is pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows and some whipped topping.
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7 Up Jello Salad
Course :
Dessert
,
Salad
,
Side Dish
This Retro 7Up Jello Salad makes its appearance often during family potlucks and holiday dinners. Lime Jello, 7UP soda and a few other ingredients create a unique classic creamy salad.
4.80 from 5 votes
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Cranberry Mousse
Course :
Side Dish
Homemade Cranberry Mousse is a delicious and fruity dessert salad made easy with Jello. This old fashioned recipe is great for the holidays!
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Apple Slaw
Course :
Salad
,
Side Dish
Apple Slaw is a creamy delicious side that pairs well with many barbecue favorites. Our easy recipe here is full of sweet and tangy flavors.
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Grape Salad
Course :
Salad
This Creamy Grape Salad will be perfect for a holiday side dish, also great for a summer bbq or pot luck dish. With just a few minutes prep and a couple of simple ingredients, you can have a crunchy, creamy, and sweet salad that everyone will love!
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Dinner rollThanksgiving Bread Recipes

You will need some good bread to go with your dinner. This can range from some delicious dinner rolls to some nice breadsticks. It always seems like folks work through bread and rolls quickly, so make sure to make plenty extra!

Easy Dinner Rolls
Course :
Side Dish
Serve these Easy Dinner Rolls for dinner tonight. There is no reason to buy store-bought when you can make homemade buttery, light, and fluffy rolls in no time at all.
No ratings yet
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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
It is super simple to make your own CopyCat Olive Garden Breadsticks right at home. You will quickly be addicted to these butter garlic sticks that are a great addition to just about any meal.
5 from 7 votes
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Dutch Oven Bread
Course :
Side Dish
Dutch oven bread is a simple and easy way to enjoy the taste of homemade bread, with no kneading required!
5 from 1 vote
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Crostini
Course :
Appetizer
,
Side Dish
A crostini recipe is a must for entertaining. This parmesan version is simple and elegant with olive oil, butter and cheese. 
4.50 from 2 votes
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Apple CiderOther Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

All these other Thanksgiving dinner recipes fill in the gaps that you might’ve missed. Here are a few beverage and butter options for you to consider for Turkey Day! 

Cranberry Butter
You will want to add this Cranberry Butter recipe to your Thanksgiving and Christmas menu.  Enjoy it as a compound butter or as a whipped butter.
5 from 6 votes
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Cinnamon Butter
Course :
Side Dish
,
Snack
Cinnamon Butter tastes just like your favorite spread from Texas Roadhouse. This sweet mix of honey and butter is perfect for rolls!
5 from 1 vote
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Homemade Apple Cider
Course :
Drinks
Homemade Apple Cider is a fall or winter drink you can serve warm or chilled. Make this spiced cider on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
No ratings yet
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Holiday Punch
This Cranberry and Raspberry Holiday Punch makes for a super Christmas punch idea. Loaded with cranberry, raspberry, lemon-lime flavors, and then topped with raspberry sherbet.
5 from 1 vote
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Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate
Course :
Drinks
This warm comforting Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate makes for a delicious fall beverage. The pumpkin spice flavors make for an amazingly smooth and rich drink for the cooler fall months.
No ratings yet
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Pumpkin pie on a plate

Thanksgiving Pie Recipes

Thanksgiving is not complete without dessert. After you have filled yourself with the big meal, you will need some great pies to serve your family and guests. Obviously, pumpkin pie is traditional but consider making some of these other pie recipes that I have shared. Be sure to use my Easy Homemade Pie Crust, Graham Cracker Crust or Oreo Pie Crust when making pies from scratch.

New Pumpkin Pie
Course :
Dessert
New Libbys Pumpkin Pie makes a few changes that result in a creamy, delicious dessert. The New Fashioned recipe is better than the classic!
5 from 1 vote
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No Bake Triple Layer Pumpkin Pie
Course :
Dessert
Need an easy pie recipe for Thanksgiving, this No Bake Triple Layer Pumpkin Pie is perfect. Start with a no-bake graham cracker crust then a cream cheese layer, a creamy pumpkin filling and whipped topped.
5 from 2 votes
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Streusel Pumpkin Pie
Course :
Dessert
You are going to want to make this Streusel Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving dessert this year. It’s super easy to make and so much better than a traditional pumpkin pie.
5 from 3 votes
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Pecan Pie
This Homemade Pecan Pie will make for a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner this year. You will find the recipe super simple and the pie turns out AMAZING! Have this pie in your oven in no time.
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Southern Buttermilk Pie
Course :
Dessert
Southern Buttermilk Pie is an easy baked dessert with rustic charm. This old fashioned pie recipe is plenty sweet with a little citrus twang.
5 from 1 vote
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No Bake Cranberry Cream Pie
Course :
Dessert
Check out this delicious No-Bake Cranberry Cream Pie! It's attractive, so easy to make, and delicious. Start with a graham cracker crust, then a creamy cranberry filling and a layer of whipped topping.
No ratings yet
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Triple Layer Chocolate Cream Pie
Course :
Dessert
Triple Layer Chocolate Cream Pie is an easy, no bake dessert. This delicious recipe has layers of cheesecake, pudding, and whipped topping.
5 from 2 votes
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Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
Course :
Dessert
This Dutch Apple Pie with streusel topping will quickly become your favorite pie. An easy flaky deep-dish pie crust filled with homemade apple pie filling and topped with a buttery crumb topping.
5 from 2 votes
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Coconut Cream Pie
This easy Coconut Cream Pie is super simple to make and makes for a great dessert. This is a great addition to your holiday table or for a regular dessert.
No ratings yet
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Caramel Apple Pie
Course :
Dessert
This from scratch Caramel Apple Pie is made with fresh apples, salted caramel, streusel, and an easy cinnamon crust. It will be the perfect homemade pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
5 from 1 vote
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Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

Other Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving desserts are often overlooked- most folks are already full before there’s even a chance for dessert. Folks are going to pace themselves a bit better when they see a delicious dessert waiting at the end of the big meal. Cupcakes, cake, cookies and of course a traditional Pumpkin Log are always great options.

Pumpkin Roll
Course :
Dessert
Impress your guests during the holidays with this Homemade Pumpkin Roll. Everyone will enjoy the moist and perfectly spiced cake with a cream cheese frosting that's rolled to resemble a log.
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No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
This No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake will make for a super easy fall and Thanksgiving dessert. With a few ingredients and a little time, you can have a pumpkin dessert that looks and tastes amazing!
4.50 from 8 votes
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White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Course :
Dessert
White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies are a classic cookie with an extra fruity sweetness to them. These are certain to be a holiday favorite!
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Traditional Apple Pie
Course :
Dessert
Lattice Apple Pie is sweet, comforting, and delicious- just like grandma used to make! Our homemade pie recipe makes the perfect fall dessert.
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Easy Hershey’s Chocolate Pie
Course :
Dessert
This Super Easy Hershey’s Chocolate Pie is the easiest pie to make. With just three ingredients and a couple of minutes of time, you can have yourself one amazing no bake pie made.
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Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
If you are a fan of pumpkin pie, you will find these Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes to be a perfect spin on the traditional dessert. Pumpkin pie in the form of a cupcake.
3 from 1 vote
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Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
Fall will be here before we know it and these Caramel Apple Pie Cookies will make for a comforting dessert. They resemble a mini apple pie and are super delish
5 from 10 votes
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Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This homemade Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe will make for a perfect fall dessert. This super moist cake is so easy to whip up for Thanksgiving or a holiday party.
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Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Recipe
Course :
Dessert
Pumpkin Ice Cream is an easy-to-make, no-churn fall dessert. No machine needed for this creamy homemade cold treat. Better than store-bought!
5 from 1 vote
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Pumpkin Cheesecake
Course :
Dessert
Pumpkin Cheesecake is an easy pumpkin dessert recipe. Enjoy this easy pumpkin pie cheesecake as a delicious Thanksgiving or holiday treat!