I used to feel so much pressure to bake the perfect Thanksgiving pie. It felt like so much work for just one dessert, and everyone always seemed to want a different flavor!
I always wondered, “How can I create a beautiful dessert table with lots of options, but without baking for three days straight?” I wanted that feeling of abundance and choice for my family, but not the stress that came with it.
So I mastered the art of mini Thanksgiving desserts! 🦃 These perfectly portioned treats let you build a stunning, stress-free feast where everyone can sample a little bit of everything. It’s pure holiday magic! 🥧🍂
Our Top 3 Favorite Recipes
- Easiest to Make: No-Bake Mini Pumpkin Cream Pies
- Most Unique Twist: Cranberry-Orange Curd Tarts
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: Caramel-Stuffed “Acorn” Donut Holes
20 Mini Thanksgiving Desserts for the Ultimate Dessert Table
1. Mini Salted Caramel Apple Pies 🦃
I absolutely adore this recipe because it takes a classic and makes it feel extra special. The salted caramel drizzle adds a modern, decadent touch that makes these little pies completely irresistible. To save time on Thanksgiving Day, I always make the apple filling a day ahead—the flavor gets even better as it sits overnight!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: \~30 mins | Cook: \~25 mins
🎯 Best For: A traditional dessert with a modern, gourmet twist.
Image-1: A mini lattice-top apple pie on a small plate, with a drizzle of caramel glistening on top and a sprinkle of sea salt.
2. No-Bake Mini Pumpkin Cream Pies 🦃
These little pies are my secret weapon when my oven is completely booked with the turkey and side dishes. The filling is so light and velvety, and the gingersnap crust gives it the perfect amount of crunch and spice. They are an absolute lifesaver for a busy Thanksgiving kitchen!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~20 mins | Chill: \~2 hours
🎯 Best For: A delicious no-bake option to free up precious oven space.
Image-2: A mini pie in a clear dish to show the layers, topped with a perfect swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
3. Bite-Sized Pecan Tassies 🦃
These are like the perfect two-bite pecan pies! What I love most is the crust; using cream cheese in the dough makes it incredibly tender and so easy to work with. They are a staple in my family because they’re easy for guests to grab and enjoy while mingling.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: \~25 mins | Cook: \~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A handheld, nutty treat perfect for a dessert platter.
Image-3: A platter full of mini pecan tassies, showing the gooey filling and toasted pecans on top.
4. Cranberry-Orange Curd Tarts 🦃
If you want a pop of bright color and flavor on your dessert table, this is the recipe for you! The zesty, tangy curd is such a wonderful contrast to the richer, heavier flavors of the main meal. It’s a refreshing and elegant little bite that always gets rave reviews.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: \~20 mins | Cook: \~15 mins
🎯 Best For: A vibrant and refreshing dessert to cut through richer flavors.
Image-4: A close-up of a mini tart, garnished with a sugared cranberry and a tiny mint leaf.
5. Mini Sweet Potato Tarts with Toasted Marshmallow 🦃
This recipe takes me right back to my childhood! It’s all the soulful flavor of a classic sweet potato casserole in a cute little tart. My favorite trick is to use a small kitchen torch to toast the marshmallows right before I serve them—it gives them that perfect, gooey, campfire look!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~15 mins | Cook: \~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A nostalgic and comforting dessert that kids and adults love.
Image-5: A shot of the tarts fresh from the oven, with the marshmallow topping perfectly golden-brown and slightly melted.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the recipes we’ve covered so far, which one is making you hungriest? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Layered Pumpkin Mousse Shooters 🦃
Dessert shooters always feel so elegant, but they are secretly one of the easiest things to make. I love making these a day in advance to get ahead on my prep. All I have to do on Thanksgiving is add a little swirl of whipped cream right before serving. So simple, yet so impressive!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~15 mins | Chill: \~1 hour
🎯 Best For: An elegant, make-ahead dessert that looks professionally made.
Image-6: A row of dessert shooters showing the distinct layers, topped with a small swirl of whipped cream.
7. Apple Crumble Parfaits 🦃
This is comfort in a cup! The combination of the warm, spiced apples with the cool, creamy yogurt or pudding is just divine. It has all the cozy flavors of a baked apple crumble without ever needing to turn on the oven. It’s a wonderful, rustic addition to any dessert spread.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~20 mins | Cook: \~10 mins
🎯 Best For: A deconstructed classic with a delightful mix of warm and cool temperatures.
Image-7: A glass showing the layers of cooked apple, creamy yogurt, and crunchy oat topping, with a cinnamon stick for garnish.
8. No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecake Shooters 🦃
I am all about recipes that do double duty! You can use your leftover homemade cranberry sauce from dinner to create these beautiful, tangy cheesecake shooters. The swirl of red against the white cheesecake is just stunning, and it’s a brilliant way to reduce food waste.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~20 mins | Chill: \~2 hours
🎯 Best For: A smart and delicious way to use up leftover cranberry sauce.
Image-8: A close-up of the shooter glass, focusing on the beautiful red swirl of cranberry sauce against the white cheesecake filling.
9. Gingerbread & Eggnog Trifle Cups 🦃
For me, this dessert is the perfect bridge between Thanksgiving and the festive Christmas season ahead. The warm spice of the gingerbread with the rich, creamy eggnog pudding feels like a cozy hug. I find a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg on top makes all the difference!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~15 mins | Chill: \~30 mins
🎯 Best For: A festive treat that gets everyone excited for the upcoming holidays.
Image-9: A small trifle cup showing the dark gingerbread layers alternating with the pale yellow eggnog pudding.
10. Mini Pumpkin Spice Cheesecakes 🦃
You can’t have Thanksgiving without pumpkin cheesecake! Making them in a muffin tin creates the most perfect, personal-sized portions. My biggest tip is to make these the day before. Letting them cool completely in the fridge is the key to preventing any cracks and ensuring a perfect, creamy texture.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: \~20 mins | Cook: \~22 mins
🎯 Best For: The quintessential Thanksgiving dessert in a perfect single serving.
Image-10: An overhead shot of several mini cheesecakes, each topped with a pecan half or a dollop of whipped cream.
11. Spiced Apple Cider Donut Muffins 🦃
These muffins taste exactly like a fresh cake donut from a crisp autumn day at the apple orchard. The secret to getting that intense apple flavor is to reduce the apple cider on the stove first. It concentrates the flavor and gives these little muffins a true apple punch that everyone loves.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~15 mins | Cook: \~18 mins
🎯 Best For: A baked, not fried, treat that tastes like a visit to an apple orchard.
Image-11: A basket lined with a plaid napkin, overflowing with the cinnamon-sugar-coated donut muffins.
12. Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting 🦃
Carrot cake is always a crowd-pleaser, and these mini cupcakes are perfectly moist and spiced. I always add my own little twist by putting a pinch of orange zest into the cream cheese frosting. It adds a lovely brightness that complements the warm spices in the cake beautifully.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~20 mins | Cook: \~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A classic cake flavor made personal and topped with the best frosting.
Image-12: A single cupcake in a festive liner, with a generous swirl of frosting and a perfect walnut half placed on top.
13. Brown Butter & Maple Blondie Bites 🦃
These chewy blondie bites are so addictive! Please don’t skip the step of browning the butter—it’s the secret ingredient that transforms them. It creates a deep, nutty, toffee-like flavor that is just out of this world. Cut them into small squares, because it’s impossible to have just one!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~15 mins | Cook: \~25 mins
🎯 Best For: A rich and chewy bar with a sophisticated, nutty flavor.
Image-13: A stack of perfectly cut blondie squares on a wooden board, with a drizzle of maple syrup.
14. Chocolate Bourbon Fudge Bites 🦃
This fudge is for the chocolate lovers at the table! It’s so rich, dense, and decadent, with just a hint of warming bourbon to make it feel extra special for the holiday. If you have little ones, you can easily make a kid-friendly version by swapping the bourbon for vanilla extract.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~10 mins | Chill: \~3 hours
🎯 Best For: A decadent, make-ahead chocolate treat for the grown-ups.
Image-14: Neatly cut squares of dark chocolate fudge arranged on a slate platter, dusted with cocoa powder.
15. Pumpkin Spice Truffles 🦃
These truffles look so elegant, but they are surprisingly easy to make. They are a wonderful dessert to bring if you’re a guest at someone else’s Thanksgiving dinner. A beautiful, homemade treat is such a thoughtful way to show your gratitude to the host.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: \~30 mins | Chill: \~1 hour
🎯 Best For: An elegant, homemade treat perfect for gifting or serving.
Image-15: A row of white chocolate truffles with a delicate orange chocolate drizzle on top, resting in mini paper liners.
16. Caramel-Stuffed “Acorn” Donut Holes 🦃
This is my favorite dessert to make with my kids! We have so much fun turning simple donut holes into these adorable acorns. They love helping with the chocolate dipping and adding the sprinkles. It’s the ultimate cute treat that brings so much joy and laughter to the kitchen.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~25 mins | Chill: \~15 mins
🎯 Best For: A super cute, kid-friendly dessert that uses a store-bought shortcut.
Image-16: A bowl of the finished “acorns,” looking just like the real thing, scattered among some fall leaves for decoration.
17. Chocolate-Dipped Pear Slices with Pistachios 🦃
Sometimes the simplest things are the most elegant. The crisp, fresh pear with rich dark chocolate and salty pistachios is a truly sophisticated combination. I love to add a tiny pinch of sea salt right on top of the chocolate before it sets—it takes these from good to absolutely irresistible!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~15 mins | Chill: \~10 mins
🎯 Best For: A simple, healthier, and elegant dessert option.
Image-17: A white platter with the pear slices arranged in a fan shape, showcasing the dark chocolate and green pistachios.
18. Mini Rice Krispie Treat “Pumpkins” 🦃
Everyone’s favorite childhood treat gets a festive Thanksgiving makeover! My best tip for making these is to grease your hands with a little butter or cooking spray before you start rolling the mixture into balls. It prevents a sticky mess and makes the whole process so much easier.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~20 mins | Chill: \~N/A
🎯 Best For: A fun and festive twist on a classic no-bake treat.
Image-18: A “pumpkin patch” of the treats on a platter, ready to be picked.
19. Oreo Turkeys 🦃
Here’s another fantastic activity to keep the kids busy while you’re focused on the main meal. This is less of a recipe and more of a fun craft project! They feel so proud seeing their adorable Oreo turkey creations on the dessert table for everyone to enjoy.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~20 mins | Chill: \~N/A
🎯 Best For: A fun, no-bake craft to keep kids included in the holiday prep.
Image-19: A group of the finished Oreo turkeys standing up on a platter, looking like a little flock.
20. Cinnamon Roll Bites with Maple Glaze 🦃
When you need a dessert that’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to be a hit, these are the answer. Using canned cinnamon roll dough is the perfect shortcut. The key is to serve them warm from the oven with that gooey maple glaze drizzled over the top. They will disappear in minutes, I promise!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: \~5 mins | Cook: \~12 mins
🎯 Best For: A super-fast, warm, and gooey treat using a clever shortcut.
Image-20: A pile of the golden-brown bites on a plate, with thick maple glaze generously drizzled over the top.
My Top Tips for a Stress-Free Dessert Table
🍂 My Top Thanksgiving Tips
- Go Vertical for Impact. Use tiered platters and cake stands to add height and visual interest to your dessert table. This makes a small space look abundant and allows guests to see all the options easily.
- Label Everything. Create small, cute labels for each dessert. This not only tells guests what they’re eating but also allows you to flag common allergens like nuts or gluten.
- Mix and Match Textures. A great dessert table has variety. Combine creamy (shooters, cheesecakes), crunchy (tarts, cookie bites), and chewy (blondies, fudge) options so there’s something for every palate.
- Leverage Your Muffin Tin. Your standard 12-cup (and mini 24-cup) muffin tin is your best friend. Use it for baking everything from mini pies and cheesecakes to bite-sized tassies for perfect, uniform portions.
Your Thanksgiving Dessert Prep Timeline
Stress less with this simple make-ahead timeline for your mini desserts!
3-4 Days Out: Make any fudge, truffles, or cookie-based crusts. Store them in airtight containers.
2 Days Out: Bake cheesecakes, blondies, and cupcakes (unfrosted). Let them cool completely, then cover and refrigerate.
1 Day Out: Prepare any no-bake shooters or parfaits (leave off crunchy toppings), make your frostings and glazes, and bake off any mini pies or tarts.
Thanksgiving Day: Frost cupcakes, toast marshmallows, add whipped cream toppings, and assemble any last-minute items like the Oreo Turkeys. Arrange everything on your platters an hour before guests arrive.
I hope these ideas inspire you to create a beautiful and abundant dessert table that brings so much joy to your celebration. Gathering together and sharing sweet treats is one of the best ways to show our gratitude for the wonderful people in our lives.
Which of these mini Thanksgiving desserts are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below
