4 Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie

• Pie may be considered a traditional Thanksgiving staple, but there are many alternatives to sweeten the occasion.
• A few non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts include dark chocolate almond cookies, Napoleon cake, pie crust-y scones, and even blueberry muffins.
• Include a selection of Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie on your table to ensure that there’s something for everyone.

Few things say “Thanksgiving” like pie, whether it’s fan-favorite pumpkin, pecan, or sweet potato. However, surprisingly or not, some people just don’t like pie! Even if you do love the classic dessert, you may simply want a more unique option on your dessert table. We’re here to tell you that there are so many Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie but are just as delicious. 

Check out these creative Thanksgiving desserts, and find your new seasonal staple!

1. Cakes

If you don’t want pie, but still want the dessert-cutting experience, a cake is the perfect option for you. Gourmet cakes have always been associated with special occasions, making them one of the most ideal Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie. 

Don’t feel forced to stick to traditional fall flavors, though. You can enjoy any flavor you’d like! Our bakery’s vanilla cake with mascarpone cream frosting and espresso chocolate cake with chocolate mascarpone cream are both fantastic year-round cakes. 

Our Overall Pick: Napoleon cake is one of our favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts. A true labor of love, this classic celebratory Russian and French cake involves alternating numerous thin layers of flaky pastry and buttercream, then letting it chill to let the pastry soak up some of the cream’s moisture and create a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s stunning, elaborate, and grand enough for a special holiday.

2. Cookies

When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie, fresh baked cookies are among the most versatile. You can create a dessert table with a variety of creative Thanksgiving desserts, from chocolate chip cookies to pistachio chocolate cookies. This ensures that everyone finds something they love and adds a few different goodies to their dessert plates! 

Here are a few more reasons to serve cookies for the holiday:

• They Provide Variety - Pick up a few of your favorites from your local artisan bakery, or tell everyone to bring a batch for a cookie potluck!
• They’re Easy to Serve and Eat - With this no-mess, no-fuss dessert, guests can easily graze and mingle after dinner. 
• They’re Perfect for Gifting - Have leftovers? In the spirit of giving, let your guests bring extra cookies home.

Our Overall Pick: We especially love dark chocolate almond cookies, which provide nutty notes and rich dark chocolate flavors that are perfect for the season.

3. Muffins

Fresh baked muffins are also delicious Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie. Not solely a breakfast staple, muffins offer fun, individual dessert portions for guests. This makes them easy to serve and enjoy, minimizing your post-dinner clean-up. They’re also less sweet than pie, which may appeal to more of your friends and family. 

Muffins make a great addition to non-traditional Thanksgiving dessert tables! Pair them with other seasonal or Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie, such as:

• Gourmet cookies
• Dessert squares/bars, like pumpkin cheesecake bars, pecan pie bars, brown butter blondies, etc.
• Crisps or cobblers

Our Overall Pick: Our guests love blueberry muffins, and we think yours will too! The sweetness of our muffin batter complements the sweet-tart flavors of the blueberries perfectly. And if you’re a fan of fruit crisps or Dutch apple pie, you’ll also appreciate the crumbly topping on these jumbo muffins.

4. Scones

Gourmet scones are one of the most creative Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie, but they bring a similar pie crust-eqsue flavor to the dessert, so we think they are one of the most fitting for Thanksgiving. Surprise your guests with bold additions, like chocolate cherry biscones and lemon blueberry almond biscones. They’ll pair beautifully with post-dinner coffee, tea, or milk. 

Try setting up a scone dessert bar for a fun twist. It’s a great way to engage guests of all ages and let them customize these fresh baked goods to their liking. You can include a selection of toppings, including:

• Fruit jams or compotes
• Clotted cream
• Whipped cream
• Honey
• Fresh fruits
• Fruit curds
• Chocolate syrup

Our Overall Pick: Try our chocolate cherry biscones this Thanksgiving. Rich chocolate and slightly sweet and tart cherries evoke feelings of warmth and comfort that are perfect for the holiday.

How to Plan Your Thanksgiving Dessert Spread

While there are many Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie, you want to choose the sweets that work best for you and your guests. Use these tips to plan your holiday dessert spread:

• Consider adding a variety of desserts to accommodate everyone’s unique tastes.
• You may want to still include pie on your sweets table for those who prefer the classics.
• Offer toppings or sides so guests can customize their Thanksgiving desserts, such as fresh fruit and whipped cream.
• If you’re planning a dessert table, stick to 2 to 4 desserts so as not to overwhelm your guests.

The Bold Bakery’s creative menu has plenty of non-traditional desserts for your Thanksgiving, all made fresh from the finest ingredients. They’re also garnished with flowers for a beautiful, special touch to your holiday. Come pick it up or buy online to get it delivered!