6 easy Thanksgiving desserts
Pie is lovely, but it takes hours. These fall desserts deliver pumpkin, pecan and apple flavors in 20 minutes or less, with no crust to roll and no oven fight with the turkey.
Updated October 2026 · ranked by popularity
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1. Stovetop apple crumble
Soft cinnamon apples cooked in a saucepan and showered with a buttery oat and almond crumble toasted golden in a skillet. No oven needed.
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2. Pecan pie bites
Store-bought mini phyllo shells filled with a buttery brown sugar and pecan filling and baked until set. All the flavor of pecan pie in one bite.
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3. Pumpkin spice mug cake
A soft, warmly spiced pumpkin cake made with canned pumpkin puree and cooked in a mug in the microwave. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of spice.
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4. Pumpkin cheesecake mousse cups
Whipped cream cheese, pumpkin and warm spice folded into a light mousse and layered with buttery graham crumbs. No oven, no waiting, served right away.
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5. Caramel apple slices
Crisp apple slices with a quick brown sugar caramel for dipping, plus chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips. Caramel apples without the sticky mess.
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6. Microwave cinnamon baked apples
Apple halves stuffed with buttery cinnamon oat and walnut crumble, steamed tender in the microwave and served with yogurt and their own syrupy juices.
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Most of these can be made while the turkey rests, or assembled just before dessert so they are fresh.