Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, this year, and most of the planning goes into the turkey. These Thanksgiving dessert ideas cover the other half of the night. That is the stretch after the plates are cleared, when the candles burn low and someone asks for one more cup of coffee. It’s also the best part of the evening, so it deserves a plan of its own.
Here is ours. It covers one dessert you start the day before, candlelight that stays safe, coffee and tea for a slow table, and a nightcap with a zero-proof pour beside it. The pie method comes from King Arthur Baking, and we credit each tip. Meanwhile, the safety and drink notes come from the National Fire Protection Association and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Why Thanksgiving dessert ideas should start the day before
On the day itself, the kitchen is at its busiest. The oven is full, the counters are full, and the host is tired. So the best Thanksgiving dessert ideas are the ones already half done by the time guests ring the bell.
Pumpkin pie fits that rule. In its guide to storing pie, King Arthur Baking says pumpkin pie filling keeps overnight in the fridge, and it recommends making it ahead because the custard “develops incredible flavor and aroma as it sits.” You can also roll out a pastry crust and lay it in the pan the day before. Wrap the plate, crust and all, and refrigerate it.
There is one rule. King Arthur advises keeping the crust and the filling separate until you bake.
A make-ahead pumpkin pie, the King Arthur way
This isn’t our recipe. It’s a method built from tips by PJ Hamel, published by King Arthur Baking in its guide to a better pumpkin pie. Use your favorite recipe, or theirs, and add these steps.
Spice the crust
Hamel suggests stirring a teaspoon or two of ground cinnamon, ginger, or a blend such as chai spice into the dry ingredients for the crust. As a result, the crust tastes like the filling instead of plain pastry.
Prebake the crust
For a browned bottom, Hamel prebakes the crust before the filling goes in. According to King Arthur, the second bake won’t burn it, though a pie shield or strips of foil can protect the edges.
Rest the filling overnight
Spices “bloom” once they meet liquid, so King Arthur refrigerates the mixed filling overnight. The flavors meld while you sleep.
Try eggnog
For a richer custard, Hamel suggests eggnog in place of the milk in your recipe. Its spices and mild sweetness do some of the work for you.
Guard against spills
If your pie pan is a little shallow, the filling can reach the rim. Hamel’s fix is a tall crimp on the crust and a baking sheet under the pan, which is easier to carry to the oven.
Two more Thanksgiving dessert ideas from the same pie
One pie can become a few different desserts. The same King Arthur guide offers two variations.
The first is a praline layer. Hamel blends 1/3 cup (37 grams) of toasted pecan pieces, 1/3 cup (71 grams) of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of butter and 1/8 teaspoon of salt into a paste. Then she spreads it in the crust before the filling goes in. The result is about 1/4 inch of nutty sweetness under every slice.
The second is a crown of whipped cream. Even careful bakers get a crack now and then, and Hamel’s answer is whipped cream, which hides the flaw.
For a third idea, scatter a few spiced pumpkin seeds over the cream. Our guide on how to roast pumpkin seeds has the method and three seasonings. In addition, the seeds bring salt and crunch to a soft custard pie.
How to tell when the pie is done
Overbaking is the main enemy here. According to King Arthur, the chief reason a pumpkin pie cracks is that it baked too long.
So check early. Hamel takes her 9-inch pie out when the jiggly ring in the center is about 4 inches across. If you prefer a number, she found 170°F, measured 2 inches in from the edge, to be right. She adds that this held for her thermometer and her oven, and that yours may vary.
Then let the pie cool completely. After that, King Arthur has a handy trick for covering it. Stretch a clean shower cap over the pan, and prop it up in the middle with an extra-long toothpick so the plastic stays off the surface.
Make the pie the day before, and the night takes care of itself.
Set up the dessert table before dinner
Here is a small habit that makes every one of these Thanksgiving dessert ideas easier. Before the turkey comes out, set a side table or the kitchen counter for dessert. Put out small plates, forks, a pie server and a sharp knife. Add the bowl for whipped cream, covered, and a stack of napkins.
Then, when dinner ends, nobody has to hunt through drawers. The host clears the plates, carries the pie over and sits back down. Guests can serve themselves at their own pace, which keeps the table relaxed.
Candlelight for the long table
Low candles make the second half of the night feel different, and Thanksgiving dessert ideas look better in their light. Still, a candle is an open flame, and a holiday table is full of things that burn, such as napkins, place cards, dried leaves and paper runners.
The National Fire Protection Association keeps the numbers. On its candle safety page, it reports that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 5,894 home candle fires a year from 2020 to 2024. Over half started when something that could burn, such as decorations, paper or curtains, was too close to the flame. The NFPA also notes that Christmas is the peak day for candle fires, so these habits matter all season.
Its tips are simple. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, including centerpieces and garlands. Blow out every candle before you leave the room or go to bed. And think about flameless candles, which the NFPA suggests as an option.
Our approach mixes the two. Put real tapers in heavy holders down the center, with clear space around them. Then use flameless candles inside a centerpiece crowded with leaves and gourds, and on the sideboard.
Coffee and tea for a slow finish
Dessert is when the table slows down, and a hot drink keeps people sitting. In fact, some of the simplest Thanksgiving dessert ideas are just pie and a good cup of something warm. So set it up before dinner. Fill the kettle, grind the coffee and put out the cups, sugar and milk. Then, when the pie comes out, you only need to press a button.
Offer at least one coffee and one tea. For guests who want to sleep well, have a decaf coffee or an herbal tea on the tray too. A pot of tea also suits a long table, because guests can refill their own cups.
A spiced pumpkin pie pairs well with a plain black tea or a strong coffee, since both cut the sweetness. That’s our taste, not a rule, so pour whatever your family likes.
A nightcap, and a zero-proof pour
A small after-dinner drink is a classic way to end the night. If you serve one, it helps to know what a drink is. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a U.S. standard drink as about 14 grams of pure alcohol.
How much that is depends on the bottle. By the NIAAA’s measure, one drink is a 5-ounce glass of table wine, a 3- to 4-ounce pour of fortified wine such as port or sherry, a 2- to 3-ounce pour of liqueur, or 1.5 ounces of brandy or cognac.
So a small glass of port with pie is already a full drink. Keep the pours small, and make sure no one drinks and drives home. For batch ideas, see our Halloween cocktails, which include a zero-proof option.
A zero-proof pour should feel just as festive. Warm apple cider with a cinnamon stick and a few strips of orange peel, then serve it in the same small glasses as the port. In other words, everyone at the table gets a nightcap.
Leftovers and the morning after
If you can, serve pies the day they were made, King Arthur says. But leftovers are part of the holiday too.
Pumpkin pie and other pies made with eggs or dairy belong in the fridge, according to David of King Arthur’s Baker’s Hotline. They keep there for three to four days. That makes a cold slice with morning coffee one of the most underrated Thanksgiving dessert ideas of all.
Thanksgiving dessert ideas FAQ
Can I make pumpkin pie the day before?
You can get most of the way. King Arthur recommends making the filling ahead and refrigerating it overnight. You can also roll out the crust and lay it in the pan the day before, but keep the two separate until you bake.
How long does pumpkin pie last in the fridge?
King Arthur says three to four days, refrigerated.
How far should candles be from decorations?
The NFPA advises at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
What counts as one drink of port?
The NIAAA counts 3 to 4 ounces of fortified wine, such as port or sherry, as one standard drink.
The last cup
These Thanksgiving dessert ideas share one goal, which is to let the host sit down. Make the pie the day before, set the candles with room to breathe and put the kettle out early. Then, when the table goes quiet, the work is already done. For more food and drink ideas, browse our Food & Drink section.