33 Best Thanksgiving Apple Desserts

What could be more fitting for fall than these Thanksgiving apple desserts?

Sweet, fruity, and lightly spiced, they’re perfect for a post-feast treat.

While pumpkin typically takes center stage on Turkey Day, I can’t recommend these spiced, sweet-tart apple desserts enough.

I’ve got everything from pies and ice cream to dumplings and cake on this list. So there’s something for everybody and every taste.

Whether you just need something small and simple, or a little more over the top, I’ve got you more than covered,

So try these delectable Thanksgiving apple desserts today. I know you’ll love them.

33 Easy Apple Recipes for Thanksgiving

1. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Let’s start off strong with these delicious and decadent apple pie bars.

Made with layers of apple, butter, cinnamon, and caramel goodness, they’re about as addictive as can be. 

It starts with a buttery, flaky homemade shortbread crust. Next up, you’ll find fresh apples tossed in flour and spices.

On top of that comes a wonderful cinnamon oat streusel. And finally, you’ll drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce for good measure.

Serve with warm your favorite ice cream, and enjoy! 

2. Apple Coffee Cake

It’s definitely dessert, but this could be breakfast if you like. Serve it with a hot coffee, and you’re all set to start your day.

The sweetness of the coffee cake perfectly balances the tart apples. And the whole thing is insanely moist with just the right amount of spice.  

Serve it with ice cream or warm, rich vanilla cream. You won’t be disappointed either way,

3. Rustic Skillet Apple Pie

Apple pie without the fuss? Yes, please!

Apple pie is amazing and all, but I think we can all agree it’s a bit of a pain to make from scratch.

I’m looking at you, lattice crust!

So, this rough and rustic version is a busy chef’s best friend. And it’s super tasty! It has everything you want in an apple pie and then some.

The filling is made with apples, cinnamon, lots of sugar, and butter. Then there’s buttery pastry on the top and bottom.

But rather than plain old pasty, this one has a sweet, caramelized bottom. You’ll melt brown sugar and butter in the skillet before you add the first crust. 

I don’t think I’ll ever have apple pie the old way again. 

4. Apple Strudel Muffins

Apple muffins are a terrific way to start your day. Just grab one and head out the door!

But they’re also loaded with apples and cinnamon, wrapped up in a fluffy cake-like crumb.

So that also makes them ideal for dessert.

Add a bit of sweet glaze over the spiced streusel topping, and they’re ready to serve.

5. Apple Dumplings with Browned-Butter Salted Caramel Sauce

Nothing says “you’re the apple of my eye” quite like these apples stuffed with cinnamon sugar and wrapped in pastry. 

You’ll bake them until they’re luscious, slightly nutty (thanks, brown butter), and caramelized.

It’s pure heaven on a plate. Serve with caramel ice cream, and thank me later.  

6. Applesauce Muffins

Here’s another fantastic muffin recipe you can serve for breakfast, dessert, or even as a side dish.

Think cornbread, only sweeter.

They’re bursting with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. Meanwhile, applesauce adds moisture and a light apple taste. Yum! 

7. Apple Pomegranate Cobbler

Apple cobbler is a classic Thanksgiving dessert that’s easy to make and super scrummy. But this cobbler is extra delicious.

It’s extra colorful and extra tasty but still has all your favorite apple cobbler traits. I’m talking a fruity sauce, chunks of fresh apples, and a fluffy biscuit topping. 

But instead of your typical apple cinnamon flavor profile, this one features pomegranate too.

Pomegranate juice in the sauce and pomegranate seeds for pops of freshness. 

8. Apple Cake

This tantalizing cake is loaded with fresh apples and fragrant spices.

It’s also fabulously moist – to the point of denseness – and every forkful is mouthwatering. 

Topped with a homemade caramel sauce that will probably change your life, you might find it becomes a holiday staple in your house.

9. Applesauce Cake

This ultra-moist applesauce cake is a nod to traditional fruitcake. But it’s much lighter and sweeter – so the kids will love it too.

Loaded with spices, raisins, and walnuts, it’s a taste and textural delight.

10. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Careful, these cheesecake bars are sinfully delicious and highly addictive!

And here’s why: the crust is flaky, sweet, and wonderfully tender. Then, there’s the cheesecake filling.

When I say this filling is smooth, I mean it’s like velvet. It’s luscious, sweet, and to die for. 

But that’s not all! There’s a layer of cinnamon sugar apples over the cheesecake and a buttery brown sugar streusel on top.

And finally, you’ll drizzle the top with caramel.

Oh. Em. Gee!

11. Apple Tarte Tatin

This topsy-turvy tart is probably what inspired the classic upside-down cake.

Featuring apples caramelized in butter and sugar, then topped with flaky pastry, it’s such a treat after any holiday feast.

Of course, it’s prepared upside-down. So you don’t get to see the magic until it’s done.

12. Maple Apple Upside-Down Cake

While we’re on the subject of upside-down cakes: meet this apple cake!

Everything about this vegan cake is tantalizing, from its tender texture to its maple caramel topping.  

And you’ll love that it’s so easy to serve – no fancy decorations required.

13. Apple Fritters

Buttery, deep-fried sugar dough stuffed with apples and cinnamon.

Need I say more? I didn’t think so. 

14. Rustic Apple Galette

Meet the OG pie… the galette.

It’s not fussy, it’s totally delicious, and it’s beautiful in its simplicity. Of course, you can make galettes with any fruit, but this apple one is perfect for fall. 

You’ll start by making a simple pie dough – though you can use pre-made if you prefer.

Then just add sliced apples, butter, and spices. Fold the dough edges over and bake. It’s that easy!

15. Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

If you love apple pie but can’t take all those carbs, try these super simple fried apples instead.

They taste just like apple pie filling, but there’s no crust in sight. 

Serve them with ice cream to keep it gluten-free, or try them over gluten-free scones with whipped cream. Delish!

16. Glazed Puff Pastry Apple Roses

I know Thanksgiving is a busy time, but you’ve got to make time to stop and smell the apple roses!

Yes, apple roses! They’re sweet, light, and super tasty.

Plus, they’re probably the most stunning holiday dessert you’ll ever make. And luckily, they’re crazy easy to recreate.

17. French Apple Rose Tart with Frangipane

If you thought that tart above was nice, but want more, check out this scrumptious tart!

It’s bigger, sweeter, and maybe even yummier. And it all starts with a sugar cookie crust.

The frangipane filling is a wonderful touch too. It’s nutty, sweet, and super custard-like. 

18. Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Is there anything more classic than apple crisp?

It’s warm, fragrant, comforting, and oh-so-tasty. Plus, it’s easy to whip up for a crowd… or just for you. 

19. Apple Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is simple, rustic, and easily one of my favorite desserts.

Soft, chewy, moist, and wonderfully (but not overpoweringly) sweet, it’s a carb lover’s dream.

Plus, it’s super easy to make because it’s practically a dump-and-bake dessert.

It features challah bread, apples, walnuts, raisins, cream, eggs, vanilla, and applesauce. Plus sugar, spice, and all things nice.

Oh, and it’s topped with a caramel drizzle. Yum! 

20. Apple Cobbler

If apple crisp is the star of the midwestern table, apple cobbler reigns supreme in the south.

It’s another iconic dish that simply screams fall. 

Apple cobbler comes together with saucy cinnamon apples and a buttery biscuit topping.

Delicious, easy, and comforting – you can’t beat that! 

21. Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings

I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out: Mountain Dew and apples are a match made in dessert heaven.

And these soft, gooey, and wonderfully sweet dumplings are proof.

You really can’t have just one. So go ahead and make extra!

22. French Caramel Apple Cake

Ooh la la! This French-inspired apple cake will whisk your tastebuds to dessert nirvana.

It features silky caramel, soft cinnamon apples, and sweet vanilla cake.

Each part is great on its own, but together? It’s totally irresistible.

23. Spiced Apple Upside-Down Cake with Bourbon Caramel Glaze

This ain’t your typical spiced apple cake!

It’s grown up and way more delicious, thanks to the bourbon caramel. Every bite is rich, moist, and seriously decadent.   

24. Apple Pie Ice Cream

Who needs pie when you can just have à la mode?

This incredible recipe features cinnamon ice cream, chunks of soft apples, and crunchy Graham Crackers. 

It’s so flavorful and tantalizingly textured. All you need is a bit of caramel sauce to drizzle on top. 

25. Microwave Baked Apples

If you need a last minute sweet treat, these baked apples will save the day.

They’re so easy to make, a toddler could do it. In fact, this is a great activity to do with any kids during the holidays.

They’re also a great way to satisfy any sweet cravings quickly and guilt-free.

Simply cut up an apple and put it in a bowl with some butter. Then douse it with cinnamon and microwave it. 

You can serve it with ice cream or frozen yogurt. Or serve it like I do with crushed cinnamon-sugar pita chips! 

26. Apple Crisp with Cranberries and Walnuts

This delicious crisp features a triple dose of fall goodies!

It’s bursting with apples, cranberries, and walnuts, so every bite is sweet, tart, and just a little nutty. 

27. Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

This apple and cream cheese cake is scrum-diddly-umptious, and that’s nothing bundt the truth! 

#sorrynotsorry

Between the moist apple cake, cheesecake center, and luxurious cream cheese frosting, I’m drooling just thinking about it. 

28. Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Skip the line at McDonald’s and make these delicious hand pies at home.

Homemade is always better anyway. But these bad boys are brimming with caramel and apples. 

Plus, the crust is stellar. And there’s even more caramel on top. 

29. Apple Bourbon Pot Pie

If your favorite part about apple pie is the filling, you’ll love this fun dessert. It’s apple pie with a twist! 

Like pot pie, this dessert is made mostly of filling. And it’s topped with a super buttery pastry crust. 

But instead of chicken and veg, this pie is filled with cinnamon apples. Plus, bourbon and apple cider to boot. It’s delicious! 

30. Easy Apple Pandowdy

I consider myself a pretty experienced baker, but I only recently learned about the Pandowdy.

It’s an old-fashioned fruit dessert reminiscent of a cobbler or crisp.

It features a saucy fruit base, and it’s topped with pastry dough – usually shortcrust.

What makes this tasty treat a bit different is the cooking process. Halfway through baking, you break up the crust and push it into the fruit juices.

That’s called dowdying. 

Pretty fun, huh?

31. Caramel Apple Clafoutis

A clafoutis is technically a type of baked flan. But it looks and tastes like soufflé… with fruit.

It’s almost as if a soufflé married a cobbler. And it’s super scrummy.

The edges are puffy and light, like a pancake. But the center is soft and pudding-like.

Of course, this one is filled with apples and spices, so it tastes like fall.

32. Apple Cream Pie

This pie is exactly what it sounds like: cinnamon, sugar, and flour-dusted apples baked in cream.

I don’t know about you, but to me, it sounds delicious! 

The end result is a fabulously creamy, apple custard-like pie that’s best served cold.

33. Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)

This easy dessert is so appley and delicious, you won’t be able to stop eating! At least, I struggle to control myself around Sharlotka. 

This Russian treat is incredibly light and airy. And trust me when I say you’ll want to make extra because this apple cake will go fast.

Luckily, you only need six simple ingredients to make it. And you probably already have them in your kitchen!