Easy Thanksgiving Desserts 2021: Simple, Delicious Recipes for the Festive Table
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, giving thanks, and indulging in a feast that often includes a plethora of desserts. However, not everyone has the time or skill to spend hours in the kitchen preparing elaborate sweets. This year, consider these easy Thanksgiving desserts that are not only simple to make but also impressively delicious.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
Start your Thanksgiving dessert journey with this no-bake pumpkin pie recipe. It's a classic favorite that requires minimal effort and no oven time.
- Prepare a graham cracker crust and set it aside.
- Mix together pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs.
- Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream.
Apple Crisp for a Crowd
This one-pan apple crisp is perfect for feeding a large crowd. It's warm, comforting, and requires just 15 minutes of preparation.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Apples | 8-10 cups, peeled and sliced |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Old-fashioned oats | 1 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 1/2 cup |
| Melted butter | 1/2 cup |
Mix the apple slices with 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Spread them in a 9x13 inch baking dish. In another bowl, combine the remaining brown sugar, oats, flour, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
Easy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
These soft, chewy cookies are a delightful addition to your Thanksgiving spread. They're ready in under 30 minutes and require no chilling time.
Use a boxed pumpkin spice cake mix, canned pumpkin, eggs, and oil to create the cookie dough. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. Once cooled, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar icing and sprinkle with pumpkin spice.
Cranberry Orange Pound Cake
This moist and flavorful pound cake is a perfect balance of sweet and tart. It's simple to make and can be prepared ahead of time.
Cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding this dry mixture and sour cream to the butter mixture. Fold in fresh cranberries and orange zest. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan and bake at 325°F (165°C) for 50-60 minutes.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars
These no-bake bars are a crowd-pleaser and require just 10 minutes of hands-on time.
Melt together butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Stir in powdered sugar and quick-cooking oats until well combined. Press into a lined 8x8 inch pan and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Light and Fluffy Sweet Potato Meringue Pie
This twist on the classic pumpkin pie is lighter and fluffier, thanks to the meringue topping. It's a showstopper that's surprisingly easy to make.
Bake a sweet potato and mash the flesh. Mix with evaporated milk, sugar, and spices. Pour into a pre-baked pie crust and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Once the filling is set, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add sugar gradually and beat until glossy. Spread the meringue over the pie and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
These easy Thanksgiving desserts offer a mix of classic and modern flavors, ensuring there's something for everyone at your festive table. Happy baking, and Happy Thanksgiving!
