ComScore

55 Mini Thanksgiving Desserts That Are (Almost) Too Cute to Eat

How cute are these mini mason jar apple pies?

mini thanksgiving desserts: mini mason jar apple pies
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

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. 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


2. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies

Where's our gingham tablecloth? These cuties are picnic (or bonfire) ready.

4. Mini Chocolate Snowball Cakes

Adorable and nostalgic—what more could you ask for?

6. Mini Tiramisu

Serve with a cappuccino to counteract all that tryptophan.

8. Mini Yogurt Cheesecakes

Greek yogurt replaces half the cream cheese, so they're perfect for after a big meal.

9. Mini Citrus Monkey Bread

Kick off Black Friday brunch with these beauties (made from pizza dough!).

10. Mini Apple Tarts

Use the ring from a mason jar lid to punch out perfect little circles of dough.

11. Mini Samoas Cheesecakes

We have plans for your leftover Girl Scout cookies.

12. Mini Pumpkin Pie Shooters

Bonus: These are vegan and can easily be made gluten-free.

15. Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

Have no fear: The doughnuts don't require any special equipment or deep frying.

18. Lemon and Cherry Mini Bundt Cakes

Make these with dried cranberries for some extra Thanksgiving flavor.

19. Mini Oatmeal Cream Pies

Little Debbie has nothing on these.

20. Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

The easiest last-minute addition to your dessert spread.

21. Apple Cider Doughnut Holes

Our favorite farmers market treat, but bite-size. Serve 'em with mulled cider.

26. Samoa Cupcakes

You just earned your Hostess with the Mostest badge.

27. Mini Caramel Apples

Psst: Lady apples are just the right size for this recipe.

31. Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Peanut Butter Cups

Pepitas meet Reese's. You can even toast the pumpkin seeds yourself.

32. Baked Apple Cups

It doesn't get easier than frozen puff pastry, fruit and pantry staples.

34. Apple Cider Caramels

They're as easy as reducing cider, butter and cream, then waiting for it to set.

35. Jammy Raspberry Cream Pretzel Hand Pies

Presenting the ultimate marriage of sweet and salty.

36. Mini Pumpkin Pies

They're GF, paleo and dairy-free—despite the gingerbread cookie crust.

37. Mini Apple Pies

Made with caramelized condensed milk, aka magic in a can.

39. Mini No-Yeast Cinnamon Buns

The maple icing only calls for three ingredients.

40. Mini Pumpkin Pies

The vegans at your table will thank you.

41. Mini Apple Cider Cakes

Complete with cardamom-spiked cinnamon sugar and chocolate drizzle.

44. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Tangy cream cheese and sweet, spiced pumpkin are autumn's PB&J.

45. Little Jam Flower Cookies

Stuff them with apple butter, Nutella or dulce de leche in the fall.

46. Mini Key Lime Pies

Shine on, citrus season. They're made in a muffin tin for easy removal.

47. Three-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles

Be sure to use high-quality semisweet chocolate discs or bars, not chocolate chips.

48. Mini Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins

Soft, buttery and covered in sugar. We'll take a dozen.

49. Pecan-Cranberry Oatmeal Bites

Like a healthier, chewy oatmeal cookie, since Greek yogurt is used instead of butter.

50. Marble Cakelettes with Swirled Buttercream

Never choose between chocolate and vanilla again.

51. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookie Bites

You're only six ingredients away. (Thanks, store-bought sugar cookie dough.)

52. Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups

Pumpkin mousse meets cream cheese, pecans and graham crackers for this 30-minute gem.

53. Pumpkin Black and White Cookies

Call them half-moon cookies or tiny cakes—either way, they're damn delicious.

54. Banana Pudding Cups

These layered delights, starring from-scratch vanilla pudding, are only ten ingredients away.

55. Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

When in doubt, lean on this timeless crowd-pleaser.


purewow author

taryn pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...