Skip to main content

10 Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren't Pie

Support Provided By
orangecake
Photo: Jakob N. Layman

Not everyone likes pie. And that's okay. They don't deserve to be shunned on Thanksgiving. So, in the interest of fairness (and everyone getting some gosh darn dessert), here are 10 non-pie options that are perfect for a Thanksgiving feast.

1. Portokalopita, an Orange Phyllo Cake

Citrus is in season now, and this Greek recipe is a great way to use any kind of orange. It's very easy, too, since there's barely any mixing. And it's kinda, sorta healthy, since the dairy in it is Greek yogurt.

tatin1
Photo: Jakob N. Layman

2. Apple Tarte Tatin Crumble

This is a classic method for sweetening up apples. This one's very easy to make, too, and it's perfect if you're going for a rustic theme.

3. Blue Ribbon Bundt Cake

This recipe goes out to team cake. And it won first place at the L.A. County fair, so you know it's no messing around.

Cranberry Cobbler

4. Cranberry Cobbler

If you're looking for a delightful, tasty dessert that requires no dough rolling and no time chilling in the fridge, then this cranberry cobbler is the one for you. The topping, a quick and forgiving biscuit dough, gets mixed together while the cranberries bake in the oven. The dough then goes on top of the cranberries and the cobbler bakes a little longer until all the juices are bubbling.

5. Spiced Grapefruit Sorbet

If you're looking for something lighter than the average Thanksgiving dessert, this is a great way to go. Or, be extremely elegant and serve it as a palate cleanser.

6. Pear Tartelettes Tatin

Little individual desserts are always very cute and very appreciated. Plus, you can use store-bought puff pastry -- it's one of the few ingredients where no one can tell the difference.

Walnut Tart with Chocolate Cream-thumb-600x450-62271

7. Walnut Tart With Chocolate Cream

For those who skip all the savory stuff, the better to fill up on desserts. It isn't a light dessert in any sense, but every perfect bite is worth the calories.

8. Apple Upside-Down Cake

Another cake option. Well, actually, it's something of a cake/pie hybrid, since the fruit is on top. Either way, it's tasty and seasonally appropriate.

Orange Blossom Panna Cotta with Pomegranate Molasses

9. Orange Blossom Panna Cotta with Pomegranate Molasses

Perhaps you're trying to impress someone this Thanksgiving? Panna cotta always looks so elegant, especially topped with fruit, but in truth it's pretty simple to make.

10. Pumpkin Bomboloni

Donuts. Fancy-sounding, Italian-named, donuts. You can't go wrong, and you can make extra and have them for breakfast on Friday.

Want recipes and food news emailed directly to you? Sign up for the Food newsletter here!

This post was updated on 11/21/2016

Support Provided By
Read More
A black and white photo of an adult dressed as the easter bunny with a giant costumed head, holding a little girl on their left who gives it a kiss on the cheek and, with his right arm, holding a little boy who brings his hands to his eyes as though wiping away tears.

Behold the Bunnies and Bonnets of L.A.'s Past Easter Celebrations

The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
A black and white image of an elephant holding a broom with its trunk. A man is seen near the elephant, walking towards the animal.

Lions and Tigers and Cameras! How the Movies Gave Los Angeles a Zoo

The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
A vertical, black and white portrait of a blonde woman wearing a sparkly four-leaf clover costume as she holds her arms out and extends a leg as though in a curtsy.

Irish for a Day: L.A.'s History of 'Going Green' on St. Patrick's Day

Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.