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