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26+ Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes (That Aren’t Pie)

November 7, 2025 · In: Cake, Fall, Recipes, Seasonal

Don’t get me wrong – I love a pumpkin pie on my Thanksgiving dessert table! But if you’re looking to add variety to your dessert spread, I’ve got you. These are my favorite Thanksgiving cakes, cupcakes, no-bake desserts, and more! Basically all of the classic Thanksgiving and holiday flavors translated into different kinds of desserts that are sure to impress.

26 thanksgiving dessert recipes that arent pie

As a reminder, all of my recipes include make-ahead and storage instructions that you can find at the bottom of each printable recipe.

I hope you find a new favorite dessert to add to your Thanksgiving table this year. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Easy No-Bake Desserts

easy no bake pumpkin cheesecake recipe

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

The dreamiest mousse-like pumpkin spice cheesecake with buttery Biscoff cookie crust, absolutely no baking necessary!

get the recipe

biscoff no bake cheesecake recipe

No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake

Dreamy mousse-like Biscoff cheesecake filling set on a Biscoff cookie crust and topped with melted Biscoff cookie butter! The spiced caramel flavor of this dessert is incredible.

get the recipe

no bake eggnog cheesecake recipe by sugar and sparrow

No-Bake Eggnog Cheesecake

A deliciously festive eggnog cheesecake made without any baking! Rich and creamy no-bake cheesecake filling infused with spiced eggnog on a beautiful Biscoff cookie crust.

get the recipe

4th of july desserts no bake

No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake

The dreamiest cookies and cream cheesecake made without any baking! Rich and creamy french vanilla filling studded with Oreo cookies on a delicious Oreo crust.

get the recipe

no bake cheesecake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Customizable No-Bake Cheesecake

Set on a buttery graham cracker crust with a rich velvety texture and the perfect tangy flavor. Use your favorite festive toppings to customize it for Thanksgiving (like sugared cranberries or Salted Caramel!)

get the recipe

peppermint oreo truffles coated in chocolate

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

The perfect easy, bite-sized dessert made with just four ingredients: Mint Creme Oreos, cream cheese, melted chocolate, and crushed candy canes! You can also make these with traditional Oreos or any Oreo flavor.

get the recipe

Pumpkin Desserts

pumpkin sheet cake recipe with cream cheese frosting

Easy Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Extra moist, wonderfully spiced pumpkin cake baked in a 9×13 pan and frosted with tangy cream cheese buttercream. A classic Fall dessert!

get the recipe

pumpkin pie layer cake recipe inspired by milk bar

Pumpkin Pie Layer Cake

Pumpkin pie in cake form! Exposed layers of spiced pumpkin cake, pumpkin creme filling, brown sugar buttercream, and crushed pie pieces.

get the recipe

pumpkin chai cake recipe

Spiced Pumpkin Chai Cake

Layers of delicious chai tea-infused pumpkin cake and chai flavored buttercream, decorated with pretty piped pumpkins to look extra festive!

get the recipe

pumpkin cupcakes recipe with cream cheese frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

Extra moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin cupcakes with irresistible spiced cream cheese frosting. The BEST pumpkin cupcakes I’ve ever had!

get the recipe

pumpkin layer cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Perfect Pumpkin Layer Cake

A Fall classic. Layers of moist, fluffy Pumpkin cake with just the right amount of spice, filled and frosted with tasty cream cheese buttercream.

get the recipe

pumpkin chocolate chip cookie bars

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

The BEST moist and chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookie bars made with brown butter and warm spices for the ideal fall treat! No dough chilling, quick to make, and perfect for serving a crowd.

get the recipe

Pumpkin Biscoff Cake Recipe

Spiced Pumpkin Biscoff Cake

Deliciously moist pumpkin cake layered with Biscoff cookie butter frosting and crumbled Biscoff cookies throughout.

get the recipe

pumpkin chocolate chip cake by sugar and sparrow

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

Deliciously moist pumpkin cake with chocolate chips baked into each layer, paired with spiced cream cheese buttercream and decadent chocolate ganache.

get the recipe

Holiday Inspired Cake Flavors

cranberry orange cake by sugar and sparrow

Cranberry Orange Cake

Layers of light and zesty orange cake with fresh, whole cranberries folded in. Topped with orange flavored buttercream to give it extra zing.

get the recipe

chocolate caramel pecan pie cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cake with Salted Caramel

Layers of decadent chocolate cake, pecan pie filling, and homemade salted caramel, all wrapped up in tasty brown sugar buttercream.

get the recipe

chocolate orange layer cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Chocolate Orange Cake

Layers of deliciously moist, citrus-infused chocolate cake and decadent chocolate-orange buttercream. The perfect cozy take on chocolate cake!

get the recipe

spiced vanilla chai cake

Spiced Vanilla Chai Cake

Layers of soft, moist vanilla chai cake that’s perfectly flavored with chai tea and a homemade chai spice mix, paired with vanilla chai buttercream.

get the recipe

chai cupcake recipe

Chai Cupcakes

Soft and moist chai cupcakes that are perfectly flavored with chai tea and a homemade chai spice mix, topped with chai buttercream.

get the recipe

chai bundt cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Spiced Chai Bundt Cake

My favorite moist, deliciously spiced chai cake recipe, baked bundt cake style and topped with chai spiced glaze.

get the recipe

gingerbread latte sheet cake for christmas

Gingerbread Latte Sheet Cake

Spiced gingerbread sheet cake that’s extra soft and moist, frosted with coffee buttercream to mimic a gingerbread latte in cake form.

get the recipe

rafaello cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Rafaello Cake

Inspired by Ferrero Rafaello truffles, this cake is layers of delicious almond cake, coconut cream filling, toasted almonds, and white chocolate coconut buttercream. It’s even rolled in shredded coconut like the real deal.

get the recipe

sugared cranberry cupcakes for the holidays

Sugared Cranberry Cupcakes

Delicious vanilla cupcakes with a cranberry swirl baked inside, topped with white chocolate buttercream and sugared cranberries. The perfect festive cupcakes for the holidays!

get the recipe

Apple & Spice Cakes

sugar and sparrow apple spice cake

Apple Spice Cake

Layers of deliciously moist apple cake with warm spices and cinnamon-vanilla buttercream to amplify all the flavors.

get the recipe

apple spice sheet cake thanksgiving dessert recipe

Apple Spice Sheet Cake

My favorite spiced apple cake topped with cinnamon-vanilla buttercream, baked in a 9×13-inch pan to feed a crowd.

get the recipe

apple crisp cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Apple Crisp Cake

Layers of extra moist spiced apple cake, apple pie filling, baked crumble topping, and cinnamon-vanilla buttercream. Apple crisp in cake form!

get the recipe

salted caramel apple cake

Salted Caramel Apple Cake

Moist apple spice cake paired with salted caramel buttercream, topped with a salted caramel, chopped almonds, and a caramel apple.

get the recipe

spice cake recipe with brown butter cream cheese frosting

Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Tender and moist spice cake made paired with brown butter cream cheese buttercream to take it beyond delicious!

get the recipe

carrot cake recipe with cream cheese buttercream

Classic Carrot Cake

My favorite carrot cake recipe for many reasons: it’s extra moist, has the most incredible spice flavor, is so easy to throw together, and irrestible with cream cheese frosting.

get the recipe

I hope you find the perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving spread! If you make one of these, let me know how it went in the comments and feel free to tag @sugarandsparrowco on Instagram to show me a photo. I love to see what you create with my recipes. Happy holidays to you and yours!

By: Whitney · In: Cake, Fall, Recipes, Seasonal · Tagged: thanksgiving, thanksgiving cake recipes, thanksgiving desserts

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Comments

  1. Michael J Robinsmith says

    November 15, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    Followed all the way through everything looking for the Black Velvet cake. Looks amazing. Also that pumpkin spice cake sounds so good

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      November 16, 2022 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks so much, Michael! If you are having a hard time finding the Black Velvet Cake it’s right here: https://sugarandsparrow.com/black-velvet-cake-recipe/

      Reply
  2. Razwana amin says

    December 22, 2021 at 10:46 am

    Hi can I have ur receive for vanilla sponge cake please

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 22, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Hi there! My vanilla cake recipe is here: https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-cake-recipe Enjoy!

      Reply

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RASPBERRY CAKE FILLING (recipe below) ♥️ this RASPBERRY CAKE FILLING (recipe below) ♥️ this perfectly sweet/tart raspberry cake filling is beautifully thick, seedless, and so rewarding to make from scratch! It takes just a handful of ingredients and can be made with fresh OR frozen raspberries 🙌🏼 

Get the full recipe + cake pairing suggestions at the link in my bio or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/seedless-raspberry-cake-filling/

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 Cups (10oz, 315g) fresh or frozen raspberries
1/2 Cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 1/2 Tbsp (12g) cornstarch
1 1/2 Tbsp (22ml) water

INSTRUCTIONS: 
1. In a saucepan set over medium heat, add the raspberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook until the mixture begins to boil, stirring occasionally. 
2. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes while you continue stirring occasionally. Then, remove from heat and use a fine mesh sieve to strain out the seeds over a medium bowl. After straining, you’ll be left with about 1/4 Cup of seedy pulp.
3. In a small separate bowl, combine the cornstarch and water until uniform. Return the strained raspberry filling to the saucepan (wipe it free of any remaining seeds if needed) and add the cornstarch/water mixture. Cook over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1-3 minutes, until the filling has thickened slightly, is no longer cloudy, and coats the back of the spatula.
4. Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 1 week. It will be jello-like once set but after stirring it will become a thick, jammy consistency that’s perfect to use as a cake or cupcake filling!

#raspberrycake #cakefilling #cakedecorating #raspberries #baking
STRAWBERRY LEMON CAKE 🍓🍋 this cake is so lig STRAWBERRY LEMON CAKE 🍓🍋 this cake is so light and refreshing and bursting with all-natural flavors! It’s layers of my favorite extra fluffy lemon cake + the most delicious freeze-dried strawberry buttercream that ends up the prettiest natural pink color. I’ll never get over those little flecks of strawberry in the buttercream or the tiny chamomile flowers adding so much cheer! 

Grab the recipe at the link in my bio or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/strawberry-lemon-cake/

#strawberrylemon #lemoncake #strawberrycake #cakedecorating #strawberrybuttercream
CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE (recipe below) 🍫 🥳 this CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE (recipe below) 🍫 🥳 this is everything I want in a chocolate cake: rich and decadent, stick-to-your-fork fudgy, ultra-chocolatey, shareable, and EASY! Like box mix easy but from-scratch and a MUST try if you’re in need of a good chocolate cake recipe to feed a crowd👩🏽‍🍳⁣ 
 
Get the full recipe (with chocolate frosting) at the link in my bio or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/chocolate-sheet-cake/ ✨⁣ 
⁣ 
CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE
2 Cups (265g) all purpose flour⁣ 
1 2/3 Cups (340g) white granulated sugar⁣ 
2/3 Cup (60g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder⁣ 
2 tsp baking soda⁣ 
1 tsp baking powder⁣ 
1/2 tsp kosher salt⁣ 
1/2 Cup (120ml) vegetable oil⁣ 
2 eggs, room temperature⁣ 
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣ 
1 Cup (240ml) full-fat buttermilk⁣ 
1 Cup (240ml) hot coffee OR hot water⁣ 
⁣ 
INSTRUCTIONS⁣ 
1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Grease and line a 9x13 inch cake pan. ⁣ 
2. Place all of the dry ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a large bowl with a hand mixer) and mix on low to combine. Add the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and mix on low until combined. With the mixer still on low, add the hot coffee or hot water in a slow stream, then turn the mixer to medium and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. The batter will be very thin. ⁣ 
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.⁣ Full recipe (with frosting) link in my bio.
⁣ 
#chocolatecake #chocolate #sheetcake #chocolatelover #birthdaycake
VANILLA RASPBERRY LAYER CAKE ♥️ between the na VANILLA RASPBERRY LAYER CAKE ♥️ between the naturally pink raspberry buttercream, jammy homemade raspberry filling, and soft vanilla cake layers, this is the perfect cake for Spring!! It’s has amazing, authentic raspberry flavor in every bite from fresh (or frozen) raspberries in the filling + freeze-dried raspberries in the frosting 😋

Get the full recipe link in my bio or find it at https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-raspberry-layer-cake/ 

#raspberrycake #raspberries #vanillacake #cakedecorating #pinkcake
SMALL BATCH VANILLA CAKE 🎂🥳 this mini vanill SMALL BATCH VANILLA CAKE 🎂🥳 this mini vanilla cake recipe makes the PERFECT amount for 2-4 people and can be baked as a tiny 4-inch layer cake or a single layer 6-inch cake. It goes with any frosting flavor but vanilla buttercream keeps it classic for date night, a small gathering, a smash cake, or satisfying a cake craving. 
⁣
✨Full recipe (with frosting) linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/small-batch-vanilla-cake/ 
⁣⁣⁣⁣
SMALL BATCH VANILLA CAKE⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣⁣⁣⁣
3/4 Cups (79g) sifted cake flour⁣⁣⁣
1 tsp baking powder⁣⁣⁣
1/4 tsp salt⁣⁣⁣
1/4 Cup (57g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣⁣⁣
1/2 Cup (100g) granulated sugar⁣⁣⁣
1 large egg, room temperature⁣⁣⁣
2 Tbsp (30g) sour cream, room temperature⁣⁣⁣
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣⁣
1/3 Cup (80ml) whole milk, room temperature⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
INSTRUCTIONS ⁣⁣⁣⁣
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and line three 4-inch or one 6-inch cake pan.⁣⁣⁣
2. In the bowl of your stand mixer (a handheld mixer works fine too!), cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, 3 min. Turn the mixer to low and add the egg, mixing until just combined. Add the vanilla and sour cream, turn the mixer to high, and beat for 1 min. ⁣⁣⁣
3. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the dry ingredients all at once. Mix until just combined, then slowly pour in the milk. Continue to mix on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds. ⁣⁣⁣
4. Pour the batter evenly between the prepared cake 4-inch pans (or all into one 6-inch cake pan). If using 4-inch cake pans, bake for 18-22 minutes. If using a 6-inch cake pan bake for 24-28 minutes. The cake is done when it springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
#vanillacake #cakes #vanilla #minicake #cakedecorating

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