30 Desserts to Make for the Holidays

If Thanksgiving sides are the stars of dinner, dessert is the grand finale. Whether your family goes all-in on pumpkin everything or prefers creamy, fruity, no-bake treats, this list has something for every sweet tooth at the table. These desserts are easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for ending the holiday on a high note.

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake (No Bake)

Rich, creamy cheesecake layered with sweet caramel and crunchy pecans—so good and no baking required.
Recipe: Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Oreo Dirt Pudding Cups

Creamy chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and fluffy whipped topping layered into the most nostalgic little cups. Easy, fun, and always a hit with kids and grownups.
Recipe: Oreo Dirt Pudding Cups

Banana Cream Parfaits

Light, creamy, and filled with fresh banana slices, these parfaits are a refreshing way to end a big Thanksgiving meal without feeling stuffed.
Recipe: Banana Cream Parfaits

Strawberry Eton Mess

A simple mix of crisp meringue, whipped cream, and juicy strawberries makes this a bright and airy dessert option.
Recipe: Strawberry Eton Mess

No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake sets in the fridge and gets topped with a sweet blueberry layer. Perfect when oven space is tight.
Recipe: No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

Pink Lemonade Pie

Sweet, tangy, and so refreshing, this pretty pie brings a bright pop of color and flavor to your dessert table.
Recipe: Pink Lemonade Pie

Arkansas Possum Pie

A delicious layered dessert with chocolate, whipped cream, and creamy filling. It tastes way better than the name suggests.
Recipe: Arkansas Possum Pie

Cherries in the Snow

Fluffy cream cheese filling layered with angel food cake and cherry topping for a light and sweet finish.
Recipe: Cherries in the Snow

Pumpkin Mousse

Light, fluffy, and full of fall spices, this no-bake dessert has all the pumpkin flavor without needing the oven.
Recipe: Pumpkin Mousse

Easy Boston Cream Poke Cake

Soft cake filled with creamy vanilla pudding and topped with chocolate glaze. Big flavor with very little effort.
Recipe: Easy Boston Cream Poke Cake

Creamy Lemon Pie with Candied Lemons

Sweet and tart with a gorgeous lemon topping, this pie adds a bright spot to your holiday dessert spread.
Recipe: Creamy Lemon Pie

No-Bake Pumpkin Cream Pie

Creamy pumpkin filling in a crisp crust, finished with whipped topping. Easy, festive, and delicious.
Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Pie

Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl

Moist red velvet cake baked with a tangy cream cheese swirl makes this a total crowd-pleaser.
Recipe: Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Easy Brownie Bottom Cheesecake

A fudgy brownie base topped with creamy cheesecake gives you two desserts in one irresistible slice.
Recipe: Brownie Bottom Cheesecake

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes (with Gingersnap Crust)

Tiny cheesecakes packed with pumpkin spice and a crisp gingersnap crust. Perfect bite-sized fall treats.
Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Lemon Mini Cheesecakes with Berry Swirl

Bright lemon cheesecake with a pretty berry swirl baked in—simple, fresh, and great for gatherings.
Recipe: Lemon Mini Cheesecakes

Cookie Dough Dip

A sweet, creamy dip that tastes just like chocolate chip cookie dough. Pair with fruit or cookies for an easy dessert board.
Recipe: Cookie Dough Dip

Apple Dump Cake

Warm apples baked under a buttery cake topping make this a cozy fall favorite—especially with a scoop of ice cream.
Recipe: Apple Dump Cake

Mini Pecan Pies

Bite-sized pecan pies with a gooey center and crunchy top. Perfect for guests who want “just a little something sweet.”
Recipe: Mini Pecan Pies

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Classic pumpkin pie flavor in a cute, easy-to-serve mini version. Great for dessert tables.
Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Pies

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist pumpkin cake topped with creamy frosting. It looks impressive but is super simple to make.
Recipe: Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Black Forest Cheesecake

This Black Forest Cheesecake recipe takes all the best parts of the classic Black Forest cake! Rich chocolate, a chocolate graham cracker crust, and tart cherries – and brings it together in a creamy, no-bake dessert. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, it’s perfect for any occasion!

Recipe: Black Forest Cheesecake

Apple Crisp Cheesecake

Creamy cheesecake meets cinnamon-spiced apple crisp in this dreamy fall mashup.
Recipe: Apple Crisp Cheesecake

Chocolate Pie

Rich, silky, and wonderfully old-school, this chocolate pie has a smooth custard-style filling and a flaky crust. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for anyone who always picks the chocolate dessert first.
Recipe: Chocolate Pie

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake

A cinnamon-sugar coated bundt cake that tastes just like a giant snickerdoodle cookie.
Recipe: Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake

Cosmic Brownies

Fudgy brownies topped with colorful candy pieces for a fun, nostalgic dessert everyone loves.
Recipe: Cosmic Brownies

Cherry Pie Bars

Soft buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping make these perfect for a holiday dessert tray.
Recipe: Cherry Pie Bars

Tiramisu Cheesecake

A creamy cheesecake inspired by classic tiramisu, layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a smooth mascarpone filling. It’s elegant, impressive, and perfect for the holidays.
Recipe: Tiramisu Cheesecake

Baileys Chocolate Mousse

Light, fluffy, and spiked with Baileys, this mousse is a grown-up chocolate dessert that feels fancy but takes barely any effort.
Recipe: Baileys Chocolate Mousse

Toffee Caramel Cheesecake

This dreamy cheesecake has a buttery crust, creamy caramel filling, and crunchy toffee bits on top. It’s rich, indulgent, and perfect for sharing.
Recipe: Toffee Caramel Cheesecake