We all know what Thanksgiving is about – spending time with friends and family; taking some much-deserved time off from work; and stuffing yourself silly. But this year, instead of opting for the time honored tradition of whipping up a pumpkin pie – or if you’re from the South, a pecan pie – try one of these non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts. They’re perfect for cold Autumn days and will fit right into the rest of your Thanksgiving menu, complete with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
1. Muffin Tin Blackberry Pies
Desserts that you can carry and move around with you always win over desserts that require you to be stationary to eat. And besides, Thanksgiving should be a time of interaction, where you move from chair to chair to catch up with friends and family – a drink in one hand and a blackberry pie in the other.
These homemade mini blackberry pies are absolutely perfect as Thanksgiving desserts, and they’re simple to make (as you can whip them up easily in a muffin tin). Even better, they’re perfectly fine to make a day in advance to help streamline your Thanksgiving day cooking and they make a delicious breakfast treat the next morning.
2. Homemade Cream Puffs
We’re going to go out on a limb here and say that there’s not one person in the world who doesn’t like a good cream puff. I mean, what’s not to love? A feathery soft puff pastry filled with whipped cream or chocolate or fruit. It’s perfection.
These simple homemade cream puffs are way easier than you’d expect, and you can fill them with a variety of fillings so that every one of your Thanksgiving guests is in heaven.
3. Brioche Donuts
Who says donuts are only for breakfast? We say “change the rules! Eat donuts for dessert! And make them out of brioche!” That’s right – these brioche donuts will change the way you think about donuts. And with a fruit topping or a chocolate filling, your dinner guests will LOVE this twist on a Thanksgiving dessert.
Thanksgiving desserts don’t need to follow the same rules over and over, and these three non-traditional alternatives will keep your dinner guests happy and full. If, however, you really just need that traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner, here are 10 pumpkin pie recipes to whet your appetite.
