10 Thanksgiving Desserts That Put Pumpkin Pie In The Corner
From possum pie to Texas sheet cake, these easy recipes bring all the comfort with way more personality.
If you are ready to shake up dessert without starting a family feud, this lineup is your new playbook. These 10 Thanksgiving desserts are big on nostalgia, easy on stress, and just enough of a twist that people might actually talk about dessert instead of politics this year.
Simple Apple Pie
Simple apple pie is the peacekeeper dessert. It feels familiar, smells like childhood, and does not need any explanation. This one leans into that comfort. Tender apples, warm spices, a flaky crust, and you are done. Serve it slightly warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or just a fork and a quiet corner. It is the dessert that makes the house smell like you have your life together, even if you were still peeling apples while the turkey was resting.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/simple-apple-pie/
Pumpkin Dump Cake
If you want pumpkin on the table but do not feel like babysitting a pie crust, pumpkin dump cake is your shortcut that still feels special. You layer everything in a pan, top it with cake mix and butter, and the oven does the rest. What comes out is part cobbler, part cake, and fully dangerous around people who like “just a little more.” The top turns golden and crisp, the inside stays soft and rich, and you get all the cozy pumpkin vibes without the stress.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/pumpkin-dump-cake-recipe/
Oreo Blondies
Oreo blondies are for the guests who pretend they are “more into snacks than dessert” and then park themselves next to this pan. You get a rich, chewy blondie base packed with cookies, so every bite has that mix of soft and crunchy going on. They cut easily into neat squares, which is cute in theory, until people start coming back for seconds and thirds. Put these out and watch the dessert bar turn into a traffic jam.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/oreo-blondies/
Kentucky Derby Pie
Kentucky Derby pie is what happens when a chocolate chip cookie and a pie agree to team up. You get a sweet, nutty filling studded with chocolate, baked into a buttery crust that holds everything together. This one is rich, dense, and absolutely meant to be served in small slices that people absolutely will not respect. It fits right into a holiday spread, but it also feels just different enough to turn into the “Wait, what was that pie?” moment of the night.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/kentucky-derby-pie-recipe/
Easy Buckeyes
Buckeyes are proof that dessert does not always have to involve an oven. Peanut butter meets chocolate in little bite sized pieces that somehow disappear faster than anything that required an hour of baking and cooling. They are perfect if you want something guests can grab while they wander around the kitchen pretending to help. Put a tray of these out and watch people suddenly remember they have room for “just one more little thing.”
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/easy-buckeyes-recipe/
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cookies
Pumpkin gooey butter cookies are like the softest part of a cake turned into a handheld situation. They are tender, plush, and dusted in powdered sugar, which instantly makes them feel holiday ready. These are great for guests who want dessert but do not want to commit to a whole slice of anything. Pile them on a plate near the coffee, and they will quietly become the thing people keep coming back to while they chat after dinner.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/pumpkin-gooey-butter-cookies/
Texas Sheet Cake
If your Thanksgiving crowd is big and loud, Texas sheet cake is your move. It bakes in one large pan, so there is no fighting for the “good” slice, and the frosting goes on warm, which means it sinks in just enough to make every bite feel extra rich. This cake brings serious chocolate energy without being fussy. Cut it into small squares for a big group, or go with giant rectangles and let people silently judge each other’s portion sizes. Either way, there will not be much left.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/texas-sheet-cake/
Gooey Butter Cake
Ooey gooey butter cake does not pretend to be anything other than what it is. Sweet, rich, and unapologetically over the top. The base is soft and slightly chewy, and the top layer bakes up with that signature gooey texture that keeps the knife going back for more cuts. This is the dessert for when you want something that feels almost unreal in how good it is for the effort involved. You mix, bake, cool a bit, and watch it vanish slice by slice once people catch on.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/ooey-gooey-butter-cake/
Possum Pie
Possum pie is the one dessert on the table that looks like it showed up with a story. It is rich, layered, and a little chaotic in the best way. You get a crunchy crust, a creamy layer, chocolate, and a whipped topping that makes each slice feel stacked with contrast in every bite. This is the dessert for the cousin who swears they are “not really a dessert person” and then suddenly has a second piece. It feels playful and unexpected, but it still fits right in with all the classic Thanksgiving sides and mains.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/possum-pie/
Sugar Cream Pie
Sugar cream pie is comfort in a crust. The filling is smooth, custardy, and sweet in that old school, simple way that hits all the right notes without needing a lot of decoration or toppings. It is the kind of dessert that feels like it has been on the table for decades, even if this is your first year making it. Slice it up, add a little freshly grated nutmeg if you want, and you have a quiet powerhouse of a pie that fits right in with Thanksgiving classics.
Get the recipe here: https://thembites.com/sugar-cream-pie-recipe/
