Thanksgiving is typically all about thinking big: 20-plus-pound turkeys, a giant tub of mashed potatoes and all the crowd-pleasing casseroles. But when it comes to sweets, we want to make an argument for sizing down this year. Tiny desserts mean no fighting with your sister over the last slice of anything. They mean getting to have pecan and apple and pumpkin pies. Oh, and they’re undeniably adorable. Here are 55 mini Thanksgiving dessert recipes that we’ll never grow tired of.
55 Mini Thanksgiving Desserts That Are (Almost) Too Cute to Eat
How cute are these mini mason jar apple pies?
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Published Aug 23, 2023
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
1. No-Bake Mason Jar Spiced Cheesecakes
Complete with gingersnap crust and red currant jelly.
2. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
Where's our gingham tablecloth? These cuties are picnic (or bonfire) ready.
3. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Not on Team Pie? Give these a whirl.
4. Mini Chocolate Snowball Cakes
Adorable and nostalgic—what more could you ask for?
5. Caramel Pecan Pies with Cinnamon Roll Crust
We dare you to have just one (OK, three).
6. Mini Tiramisu
Serve with a cappuccino to counteract all that tryptophan.
7. Mini Cranberry Potpies
Why should chicken get to have all the fun?
8. Mini Yogurt Cheesecakes
Greek yogurt replaces half the cream cheese, so they're perfect for after a big meal.
9. Mini Citrus Monkey Bread
Kick off Black Friday brunch with these beauties (made from pizza dough!).
10. Mini Apple Tarts
Use the ring from a mason jar lid to punch out perfect little circles of dough.
11. Mini Samoas Cheesecakes
We have plans for your leftover Girl Scout cookies.
12. Mini Pumpkin Pie Shooters
Bonus: These are vegan and can easily be made gluten-free.
13. Mini No-Bake Gingersnap Icebox Cakes
Because your oven is already working overtime.
14. Itty-Bitty Sandwich Cookies
Eat your heart out, Oreos.
15. Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts
Have no fear: The doughnuts don't require any special equipment or deep frying.
16. Peach Tarts with Goat Cheese and Honey
Nothing says elegant like cheese for dessert.
17. Mini Carrot Cakes with Cream-Cheese Frosting
Three layers of creamy, dreamy deliciousness.
18. Lemon and Cherry Mini Bundt Cakes
Make these with dried cranberries for some extra Thanksgiving flavor.
19. Mini Oatmeal Cream Pies
Little Debbie has nothing on these.
20. Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
The easiest last-minute addition to your dessert spread.
21. Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
Our favorite farmers market treat, but bite-size. Serve 'em with mulled cider.
22. Mini Apricot Meringue Pies
The press-in crust is made of coconut shortbread.
23. Strawberry Ice Cream Pies
Roasting the berries really concentrates their sweetness.
24. Mini Skillet Funnel Cakes
They're the next best thing to a carnival.
25. Baked Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze
Your post-dinner coffee wants company.
26. Samoa Cupcakes
You just earned your Hostess with the Mostest badge.
27. Mini Caramel Apples
Psst: Lady apples are just the right size for this recipe.
28. Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
Santa dropped this Christmas staple off early.
29. Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Mini meringues + chocolate-hazelnut spread = epic.
30. Muffin-Tin Lemon Meringue Tarts
Who can turn down sugar cookie crust?
31. Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Peanut Butter Cups
Pepitas meet Reese's. You can even toast the pumpkin seeds yourself.
32. Baked Apple Cups
It doesn't get easier than frozen puff pastry, fruit and pantry staples.
33. Bourbon & Caramelized Peach Baked Alaska
Starring homemade butter pecan ice cream.
34. Apple Cider Caramels
They're as easy as reducing cider, butter and cream, then waiting for it to set.
35. Jammy Raspberry Cream Pretzel Hand Pies
Presenting the ultimate marriage of sweet and salty.
36. Mini Pumpkin Pies
They're GF, paleo and dairy-free—despite the gingerbread cookie crust.
37. Mini Apple Pies
Made with caramelized condensed milk, aka magic in a can.
39. Mini No-Yeast Cinnamon Buns
The maple icing only calls for three ingredients.
40. Mini Pumpkin Pies
The vegans at your table will thank you.
41. Mini Apple Cider Cakes
Complete with cardamom-spiked cinnamon sugar and chocolate drizzle.
42. Churro Bites with Chocolate Sauce
Make a second batch: The first won't last long.
43. Bite-Size Almond Raspberry Spoon Cakes
Careful, they're almost too easy to eat.
44. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Tangy cream cheese and sweet, spiced pumpkin are autumn's PB&J.
45. Little Jam Flower Cookies
Stuff them with apple butter, Nutella or dulce de leche in the fall.
46. Mini Key Lime Pies
Shine on, citrus season. They're made in a muffin tin for easy removal.
47. Three-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles
Be sure to use high-quality semisweet chocolate discs or bars, not chocolate chips.
48. Mini Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins
Soft, buttery and covered in sugar. We'll take a dozen.
49. Pecan-Cranberry Oatmeal Bites
Like a healthier, chewy oatmeal cookie, since Greek yogurt is used instead of butter.
50. Marble Cakelettes with Swirled Buttercream
Never choose between chocolate and vanilla again.
51. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookie Bites
You're only six ingredients away. (Thanks, store-bought sugar cookie dough.)
52. Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
Pumpkin mousse meets cream cheese, pecans and graham crackers for this 30-minute gem.
53. Pumpkin Black and White Cookies
Call them half-moon cookies or tiny cakes—either way, they're damn delicious.
54. Banana Pudding Cups
These layered delights, starring from-scratch vanilla pudding, are only ten ingredients away.
55. Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
When in doubt, lean on this timeless crowd-pleaser.
