Holidays & Occasions Thanksgiving Ideas and Tips Thanksgiving Recipes Thanksgiving Desserts Grandma's Favorite Thanksgiving Desserts By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on October 26, 2023 Close Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Grandma's got her favorites. We're talking desserts, y'all. And when it comes to Thanksgiving, she expects to see those sweet treats on the holiday buffet. While she'll always be thrilled to see a homemade Apple Pie, she can't resist some over-the-top desserts that only come out during the holiday season. We're looking at you, Butterscotch-Spice Trifle and Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake. So this Thanksgiving, we hope you'll get inspired by some of Grandma's favorites, from fruity pies to rich and creamy bars to decadent chocolate cakes. 01 of 20 Ultimate Apple Pie Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox The Thanksgiving feast is filled with new recipes and old-school family favorites. There's no celebration without a classic apple pie with the most spectacular lattice top. Get The Recipe 02 of 20 Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas There are pies. And then there are the pies that everyone expects to see at every family gathering. Our Pumpkin Pie is not only simple, but it's delicious. This is a great choice for a novice baker who is set on bringing a homemade dessert to Thanksgiving dinner this year. Get The Recipe 03 of 20 Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Antonis Achilleos Dare we say this is the sweetest recipe that you'll be digging into on Thanksgiving Day. This is the recipe for the baker who is dreaming of showing up to the celebrations with something extra special. Get The Recipe 04 of 20 Butterscotch-Spice Trifle Recipe Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Thanksgiving is not all about the pies. Not only is this trifle layered with decadent fall flavors, but it's presentation is just as stunning. Get The Recipe 05 of 20 Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake For the one who wants to treat the family to something extraordinary that's not a pie or cake: Enter the bar. These bite-sized desserts are filled with incredible flavors that include pumpkin spice and heath. Get The Recipe 06 of 20 Tomato Soup Cake Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Trust us when we say Grandma knows her desserts. This rich, moist, old-fashioned cake will bring her back memories of holidays past. Get The Recipe 07 of 20 Pumpkin Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Meet the season's new pumpkin spectacular. For those who love the fall ingredient, you'll understand why everyone is asking for seconds. Get The Recipe 08 of 20 Pumpkin Pound Cake Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey Almost too impressive to devour. This pound cake is packed with the rich pumpkin flavors and made in a bundt pan with a gorgeous design. Get The Recipe 09 of 20 Maple Pumpkin Pie Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Even pumpkin pie naturalists will fall for this recipe that is sweetened with maple for just the right touch of special. Get The Recipe 10 of 20 Chocolate Chiffon Cake Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee It's Thanksgiving. Break out the chocolate desserts for the family members who aren't into the pumpkin, pecan, or apple assortment. This moist and choclotey creation is perfect for rounding out the dessert buffet. Get The Recipe 11 of 20 Swiss Roll Cake Molly Bolton The roll that everyone remembers – and requests. Perfectly moist chocolate cake is rolled around fluffy whipped cream for a wonderful dessert. Get The Recipe 12 of 20 Chocolate Delight Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely There are many (many) names for this dessert, which means it's not only a memorable choice – it's also been around for some time. Count on memories of enjoying this layered chocolate delight for years to come. Get The Recipe 13 of 20 Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox If you're looking for an easy recipe to make for the holiday, this may not be the one for you. If you're looking for a regional recipe that will make an impression, this multi-flavored, multi-layered cake is the one that will steal the spotlight. Get The Recipe 14 of 20 Fresh Apple Cake Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living Your turn to bring dessert – but, you're bored of pie? Cut to the cake. Apple cake, that is. This recipe is a delightful combination of apples, cinnamon, and nuts, and slathered with fluffy cream cheese frosting. Get The Recipe 15 of 20 Applesauce Cake Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Think Applesauce Cake sounds too simple for a holiday fete? Think again. It may be easy to whip together, but it's rich, fluffy, and flavorful cake will be unforgettable. Get The Recipe 16 of 20 Pear Upside-Down Cake Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Make room on the table, there's a new dessert in town. Let the season's ripe pears shine in this cake that is spiced with cinnamon and cardamom for a warm and comforting combination. Get The Recipe 17 of 20 Southern Sweet Potato Cake Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar Tender, moist, and spiced just right with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. The finishing touch is the caramel frosting that brings it all together. Get The Recipe 18 of 20 Pecan Pie Brownies Micah A. Leal Introducing the result of pecan pie and chocolate brownies coming together in one out-of-this-world dessert. Consider yourself warned: They're made by baking a sheet of thick brownies and then adding a layer of pecan pie filling spiked with a touch of bourbon. How's that for indulgent? Get The Recipe 19 of 20 Over-The-Moon Chocolate Pie Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Pecan. Pumpkin. Apple. Make room on the table for something that delights the chocolate lovers at the holiday table. This dessert was inspired by the classic MoonPie, and is sure to wow with its rich chocolate filling and the light and cloudy marshmallowy meringue topping. Get The Recipe 20 of 20 Hummingbird Cake Southern Living It would not be a Southern holiday (or any special gathering) without the Hummingbird Cake. No matter the occasion or the season, this classic cake will dazzle with its moist layers flavored with canned pineapple and bananas. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit