22 Mini Thanksgiving Desserts for a Sweet Holiday

top-down view of mini muffin cup brownies decorated to look like Thanksgiving turkeys with harvest candy corn tails, red M&M beaks, and candy eyes
Photo:

Kim's Cooking Now

Mini Thanksgiving desserts are a perfect idea whether you are going to a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving potluck or entertaining at home and want an easier way to serve dessert. Each of these mini Thanksgiving dessert recipes is easy to eat and mess-free, and you can always save the remainder for enjoying throughout the rest of the week or provide containers to your guests so that they get to take home a treat for later.

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Pumpkin Cannoli

three pumpkin filled cannolis on a platter
Kim's Cooking Now

Ricotta and mascarpone cheese come together to fill these crispy, light, and irresistibly flaky cannoli. They make a great finger-food dessert and are packed with pumpkin flavor.

02 of 23

Mini Sweet Potato Pies

mini sweet potato pies on a green tray

"OMG the kids loved it!" says reviewer Lani G. "They loved the idea of cute mini pies just for them. They rushed around me to help make them. And they couldn't wait for them to be ready."

03 of 23

Mini Pecan Pies

mini pecan pies on a white dish
sugarplum

You know how everyone wants a slice of pecan pie, but a lot gets left on the plate because it's just so sweet and rich? These minis are the perfect no-waste solution. One or two of these little bites might be just enough for some guests.

04 of 23

Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes

Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes on white plates
voraciousgirl

Cheesecake can be super decadent, but these pecan pie mini cheesecakes come out an easy-to-eat size, even after you've indulged in Thanksgiving dinner.

05 of 23

Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin Brownies
Molly

Brownies can never be a bad choice for dessert, and these are Thanksgiving-themed by adding in pumpkin, walnuts, and plenty of fall spices.

06 of 23

Mini Apple Pies

mini apple pie topped with sugar
Reb

Apple pie is an all-American dessert, especially when served with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream. If you don't have mini pie dishes on hand, you can always bake these up in a muffin tin.

07 of 23

Chocolate Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling

Chocolate and pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes with chocolate chips on top
AllrecipesPhoto

Chocolate, pumpkin, and cheesecake create a triple threat for a mini Thanksgiving dessert recipe you'll want to make each year. The cake is rich and moist, while the filling is silky smooth and packed with pumpkin. Top with chocolate chips for extra richness and a pretty appearance.

08 of 23

Mini Brownie Turkeys

round brownies decorated like turkeys
Kim's Cooking Now

Put turkey of a different variety on the dinner table this Thanksgiving. These brownie bites are decorated with candies and frosting, a great activity for keeping little ones entertained.

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Gluten-Free Cheesecake Cupcakes

four mini cheesecakes on a blue dish
Marianne

"Coming from a family that has a lot of gluten intolerance, I decided to try and come up with a gluten-free cheesecake cupcake recipe that everyone can enjoy," says recipe creator Amenah. Reviewers all agree these gluten-free cheesecakes earn a solid 5-star rating.

10 of 23

Blueberry Upside-Down Mini Cakes

blueberry upside down mini cakes with whipped cream topping
Kim

This recipe calls for frozen blueberries, but you could use any berries you like — even cranberries. Just be sure to adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.

11 of 23

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

cupcakes with piped marshmallow topping on a white dish
Kim

"These spiced fall cupcakes are a riff on the classic Thanksgiving casserole," says recipe creator Doughgirl8. "These days, I tend to like savory sweet potato dishes with the meal, but marshmallowy cupcakes make a terrific fall dessert! Store any leftover cupcakes in the refrigerator."

12 of 23

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

pumpkin cheesecake cupcake topped with powdered sugar in a cupcake wrapper
Buckwheat Queen

"After deciding against buying a springform pan but wanting cheesecake for Thanksgiving, I combined a few recipes to get this final product. It got great reviews from all the family!" says recipe creator Cassandra.

13 of 23

Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies

Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies
lutzflcat

Free up oven space with these delectable mini apple pies cooked to perfection in the air fryer. What's even better is that they're ready in less than 30 minutes!

14 of 23

Mini Pumpkin Pies

mini pumpkin pies
Mini Pumpkin Pies. Rainbow Jewels

It's not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, and these little beauties are 5-star winners. You can use an ordinary drinking glass to cut out the rounds if you don't have a cookie cutter that size and bake them in muffin tins if you don't have mini pie dishes. That's what one reviewer did, who says they turned out great.

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No-Bake Baileys Cheesecake Balls

a blue platter of no bake baileys cheesecake balls
Allrecipes

Make these irresistible grown-up cheesecake balls well in advance for an effortlessly impressive addition to your mini Thanksgiving dessert spread.

16 of 23

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Bundt Cakes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Bundt Cakes
ReneePaj

"This family favorite dessert is the perfect conclusion to a holiday meal," says recipe creator Mrs T. of these mini Bundt cakes that are as delicious as they are adorable.

17 of 23

French Chocolate Mousse with Orange

French Chocolate Mousse with Orange
Allrecipes

Chocolate fans will appreciate dainty cups of chocolate mousse as part of a Thanksgiving mini dessert spread. This elevated and authentic French recipe calls for a hint of orange. Try garnishing with candied spiced pecans for a mix of texture and some autumn flavor.

18 of 23

Pumpkin Empanadas

Mexican Pumpkin Empanadas
valerieware

These top-rated pumpkin empanadas feature a filling of pumpkin purée spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Take them up a notch with a drizzle of dulce de leche just before serving. "They came out awesome. My wife is Mexican, and she said that they were excellent. I am an [amateur] at baking, and they came out perfect," says one happy reviewer.

19 of 23

Mini Cheesecakes III

dish of four mini cheesecakes with blackberry topping
Kim's Cooking Now

Top these two-bite cheesecakes with a fall fruit compote, chocolate ganache, strawberry sauce, fresh berries, or anything else you like on your cheesecake. Reviewer jjonesjennifer says, "Family loved these! Great portion size for kids and made just enough so there weren't any leftovers!"

20 of 23

Pumpkin Brûlée

pumpkin brulee in a white ramekin
Pumpkin Brulee. LZaharia

Try making this delicious pumpkin brûlée in small 4-ounce ramekins for a perfectly petite dessert. These feel like Thanksgiving but are just that bit different that they'll add interest to your mini dessert spread.

21 of 23

Pumpkin Pie Triple Berry Tarties

mini pumpkin pies with mixed berries and whipped cream on top
Pumpkin Pie Triple Berry Tarties. Kaelyn

Frozen mixed berries add an unexpected twist to pumpkin pie tartlets in this recipe. They're not only petite but also pretty to look at and delicious to eat! A great miniature version of a Thanksgiving favorite.

22 of 23

Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes

Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes on a white dish
Dianne

Warm and cozy ginger is the extra something that really makes these pumpkin cupcakes shine. The instant butterscotch pudding mix added to the cupcake batter is the secret ingredient that makes them impossibly moist!

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More Inspiration

No-Bake Pumpkin Tarts on a blue plate
bd.weld

Looking for how to get ahead with desserts this Thanksgiving? Check out our tips for Make-Ahead Bite-Sized Desserts. Also see:

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