New Thanksgiving Dessert Dishes To Add To The Table

Swap out the traditional Thanksgiving dessert options and bring something new to the table. Instead of a traditional pecan or apple pie, make one of these two dessert recipes this year to shake things up!

Below are the ingredients and steps to make sweet mini pumpkin pie pops and apple blossom tarts for dessert this Thanksgiving.

Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops

Try making these delicious mini pumpkin pie pops for Thanksgiving! This pumpkin dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving because it will not be too filling after a large meal.

This pumpkin dessert is a single-sized portion, so you can return for more. This Thanksgiving recipe offers a taste of pumpkin pie, along with a sweet maple sugar glaze. So you better make enough of this recipe to feed your whole family twice.

The recipe below serves about 8 people.

• Prep time: 20 mins
• Cook time: 25 mins
• Total time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 Deep Dish Frozen Pie Crusts (9 inches)
• ½ cup Pumpkin Puree
• ¼ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
• ¼ teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 6″ Lollipop Sticks
• Pumpkin Shaped Cookie Cutter

For the glaze:

• 2-4 tablespoons Maple Syrup
• ½ cup Icing Sugar
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Step 1: Cut out each Pumpkin

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F while you make each pumpkin. This recipe calls for a regular store-bought frozen pie crust, although you can make a homemade pie crust if you have a favorite recipe.

Let the box defrost for about an hour if you use a frozen pie crust. Then remove the crusts out of the tin plates. Flatten the crusts with a rolling pin.

Use the pumpkin cookie cutter and cut out an even number of shapes. For reference, this recipe used 3” cookie cutters. Beat one egg, then brush it over the top of each pumpkin.

Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling

Mix the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl until it is a uniform texture.

Step 3: Add the Lollipop Sticks

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set out half of your pumpkins. Brush a small amount of the egg mixture onto the pumpkins and press at least one inch of the lollipop sticks into the dough.

This will ensure that they stick securely. Adding the lollipop stick makes these into a kid-friendly dessert, so these are something the whole family can enjoy.

Step 4: Add the Filling

Scoop a small spoonful of the pumpkin pie mixture onto the center of the pumpkins. The mixture should cover the lollipop sticks. Just make sure to leave at least ½ an inch of space around the filling to seal the edges.

Step 5: Seal the Edges

Cover the shapes with their other halves. Make sure to line them up well so they don’t come apart in the oven. Press down on the edges gently with your fingers.

Then go around the edges with the tines of a fork to seal them up. Brush the tops of the pumpkins with the beaten egg.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the pops in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes; they should look golden brown when done.

Step 7: Make the Maple Sugar Glaze

While the pops are baking, you can make the glaze. Mix the icing sugar and vanilla extract in a small bowl.

Stir in one tablespoon of maple syrup until you have a slightly runny consistency. This recipe used 3 tablespoons, but you might need a little bit more or less maple syrup.

Step 8: Add the Glaze

Let the Thanksgiving pops cool off for a bit before adding the glaze. Pour the glaze into a plastic sandwich bag, and close the bag.

Then cut off a small corner of the bag so you can squeeze it out evenly. Lastly, drizzle the glaze over the pops, and you’ve got sweet mini Thanksgiving desserts!

 

Apple Blossom Tart

Instead of a traditional Thanksgiving apple pie, try making a sweet apple blossom tart for Thanksgiving! Surprise your friends and family with a modern approach to a classic Thanksgiving dessert. The recipe below yields 8 servings.

• Prep time: 1 hr and 10 mins
• Cook time: 55 mins
• Total time: 3 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients:

• 3 Large Pink Lady Apples, cored and sliced to ⅛” thick
• ¼ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar, divided
• ¾ teaspoon + ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
• 8 oz. Package of Spice Cookies
• 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1 ½ tablespoon Unsalted Butter, cut into pieces
• 1 Large Egg White
• 8 oz. Package of Cream Cheese, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons Confectioners’ Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Apple Jelly, melted

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F while you prep the apples. Toss the apple slices, brown sugar, pie spice, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, and ¾ teaspoon of salt together in a bowl.

Let the mixture sit for 45 minutes, making it soft and pliable. Lightly toss the apples every 15 minutes while they soften up.

Step 2: Make the Crust

While you let the apples sit, you can begin making the crust. Put the spice cookies into a food processor, and pulse ~10-12 times until the cookies are finely ground.

Next, add the melted butter, egg white, the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar into the food processor with the cookies. Pulse 6-8 times until everything is thoroughly mixed.

Press the cookies into the bottom and sides of a 10″ tart pan. Bake the crust made of cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges start to brown. Let it cool completely.

Step 3: Add the Filling

While the crust is cooling, stir the confectioners’ sugar and cream cheese in a bowl. Mix it until you have a smooth, even texture. Then, spread the mixture onto the bottom of the crust.

Step 4: Add the Apples

Drain the apples, and get rid of any leftover liquid. Arrange the apple slices in an overlapping circular pattern.

Start on the outside edge of the pan and continue filling the slices in a snug spiral shape to the center. Evenly distribute the butter pieces over the top.

Step 5: Bake the Tart

The recipe states to bake for 45-55 minutes until the apples seem tender. Then, cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.

Step 6: Add the Apple Jelly & Serve

Finally, brush the sweet apple jelly over the tart. Serve this Thanksgiving recipe chilled or at room temperature.

Let us know in the comments below if you try one of these sweet Thanksgiving dessert recipes!

Looking for more Thanksgiving desserts and food recipes? Then check out our favorite appetizers and dessert recipes.