Try These 5 Creative Thanksgiving Desserts (That Aren't Pie!)

With Thanksgiving around the corner, homemakers, mothers, grandmothers and hostesses across the country are getting their kitchens ready for one of the biggest dining days of the year. It’s an interesting time of year from a culinary perspective because the menu never really changes. Some folks might throw a Turducken in every now and then, but for the most part, households nationwide will be basting a bird, baking stuffing (or dressing, if that’s what you call it), shaking cranberry preserves out of a tin can and serving up some sort of a pie for dessert.

There’s not much leeway when it comes to the main courses, but lucky for you, the dessert is completely up for debate! Pies always dominate the post-dinner course, so this year, we’re calling all of our bakers, candy-makers and pastry chefs to get a little creative.

We’ve been drooling over some great Thanksgiving meal dessert ideas the past few days, and here are five of our favorite ideas you can try out.

1. No-Bake Eggnog Cheesecake

We’re always looking for unique ways to use the leftover eggnog after a holiday meal. With a flavor profile that is nutty, savory and creamy, it’s almost too tempting not to make use of it somehow. This No-Bake Eggnog Cheesecake is a great option to incorporate more holiday-themed ingredients into an easy-to-prepare, low-hassle dessert. This cake even works with folks who aren’t necessarily eggnog fans. One bite, and they’ll be hooked.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of graham cracker crumbles (just get the pre-crushed stuff; it’s easier and the taste is the same)
• ½ cup of your favorite eggnog
• 16 oz. of cream cheese
• 16 oz. of heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. of brown sugar
• 5 tbsp. of butter
• 1 dash of cinnamon
• 2 dashes of nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon rum extract (optional)

Directions:

Incorporate melted butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs and add to the bottom of a springform pan and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to allow it to firm up. You want to make sure you press it hard across the bottom and slightly up the sides. Then, beat the sugar and cream cheese in a bowl until it is creamy. Once it’s at a good consistency, you can then mix in the eggnog, spices and rum extract (if you want to include it). Then, whip the heavy cream until it starts to thicken up. Whip a bit more. Then, fold the eggnog mixture into the whipped cream until it’s fully integrated. Spread it over your crust and refrigerate for 2 hours.

2. Miniature Acorn Hershey Cookies

photo from allrecipes.com

These are super-fun candy snacks that everyone will love, especially the kids. The best part about these is that they’re delicious and painfully easy to put together.

Ingredients:

• Bag of Hershey Kisses
• Box of Vanilla Wafers (minis)
• Milk Chocolate Chips
• Cake Icing

Directions: 

First, with your icing in a pastry bag, apply a nickel-sized dollop to the flat side of the vanilla wafer. Press the flat side of your Hershey Kiss to the flat side of your vanilla wafer, allowing the icing to adhere them. Then, take a chocolate chip and dip the flat side in some icing and pop it in the middle of the rounded side of the vanilla wafer. Viola! You’re done!

3. Chocolate and Caramel-Dipped Pears

This recipe is a really creative and seasonal mod on the traditional chocolate-covered apple recipe. Pears are a great fall fruit that have a mildly sweet flavor with softer texture than apples typically, so a bite into a chocolate or caramel-covered apple is a much creamier experience.

Ingredients:

• Taffy Apple Sticks
• In-season pears
• Caramel dip
• Magic Shell (hardening chocolate)

Directions:

The main task here is to make sure you’ve got pears that are in season. Because they’re fall fruits, many of the fruits you find at the market will be ripe, or at least well on their way. Test the texture of your pear with a slight squeeze. If it gives a little bit but not too deeply, then you’re good to go. If it’s too hard, it will still be bitter, and if it’s too soft, it won’t hold up to the dip and eating process.

Once you’ve got some good pears, it’s pretty self-explanatory. Stick your dipping stick through from the stem of the pear through the core to the base. We like to go halfway through so we can freely eat all of the pear meat without having to work around the stick. Make sure it's sturdy. Then, dip your pear in caramel up to the neck. Once it hardens, turn your pear upside down and drizzle Magic Shell over the base and on the sides. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

4. Health-Conscious Pumpkin Fudge

Not only is this a really great way to re-interpret an overused seasonal flavor - the pumpkin - but it’s also one of the most visually mouthwatering desserts we’ve seen. Pumpkin pies are a huge mess to bake, serve and clean up. So how do you get that seasonal pumpkin flavor in a neat, tasty package? Pumpkin fudge is your answer. Not only will this recipe appease the sweet tooth at the table - it’s also healthy and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of your favorite nut butter (some recipes call for cashew, others sunflower seed butter)
• ¼ cup of pure maple syrup
• ½ cup of pumpkin puree
• ½ cup of coconut oil
• Pumpkin spice

Directions:

Because this recipe is so simple, it’s all about the quality of the ingredients you’re using. Make sure to get the good stuff. Melt your nut butter and your coconut oil in the microwave and stir in your maple syrup and pumpkin puree once it’s melted through. Be sure to stir thoroughly. You can top with pumpkin spice if you want. Once the mixture is completely incorporated, pour it into a lined cake pan and then refrigerate it for a few hours until it is firm. You can test the firmness with a toothpick by inserting into the middle of the pan and pulling it out. If there isn’t any fudge on the toothpick, your brownies are ready to serve.

5. Candied Pecan Divinity

photo from savannahcandy.com

Divinity is a classic Southern candy that is often served around the holidays. When made properly, divinity has a sweet chewiness and an unmistakable swirling texture on its surface. Kids will love it, and it’s something that the adults at your dinner will certainly appreciate. In keeping with the seasonal theme, we’re going with the tried-and-true vanilla pecan divinity with a little twist. Instead of raw pecans, we’ll be using candied pecans to add that extra level of sweet.

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites
• 2 ¼ cups of granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¾ cup chopped pecans
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

First, you’ll want to candy your pecans. You can use any old recipe to see how that’s done if you don’t know. Next, heat the sugar, salt, water and corn syrup in a large saucepan over medium heat. Be sure to stir the mixture regularly. Do that until the mixture reaches 260 degrees. In a separate dish, beat together your egg whites until peaks form. When your candy is at temperature, you’ll want to beat in your candy mixtures very slowly on high until the mixture holds its shape. Be sure to do this very, very slowly. Once the mixture is fully incorporated, stir in your candied pecans and vanilla extract. With a lined baking sheet, you’ll want to quickly spoon the divinity mixture onto the pan. Be sure to oil your spoons ahead of time because the mixture will want to stick. (You may want to practice your quenelle ahead of time.) Once the divinity is in the pan, set it aside and let it dry. You’ll want to make sure it's dry to the touch, otherwise, it’s still setting. Also, divinity is particularly hard to set on humid or rainy days, so be aware of that.

Once the divinity is dry, give it a beautiful presentation with some of our candy packaging supplies.

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This Thanksgiving, don’t rest on your laurels. Mix things up a bit with these five simple and unique recipes! If you need a little more inspiration, head over to our Pinterest page where we’ve been pinning some of our favorite “non-pie” recipes. Check out our board on Creative Thanksgiving Desserts (That Aren’t Pie).