Thanksgiving Desserts: Classic Flavors with a Twist

Photos by TSG Austin

It's the most wonderful time of the year, guys! I love all things fall, and I really, really love Thanksgiving. It is hands-down my favorite holiday. The morning starts with a parade, then there is food, family, football, naps, more food, and the evening winds down with a snack and decorating the Christmas tree. What could be more perfect than that day?

Well, I'm glad you asked, because the answer is that it could be better when you show up with a fun, new dessert for the buffet table!

The great thing about Thanksgiving is that it has the classic flavors: stuffing with lots of sage, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole with french fried onions, and cranberries. And desserts are pumpkin, apple, and pecans in every possible form. The desserts I'm making this year keep those same flavors, but turn them on their head. You get the comforting tastes you wait all year for while starting new traditions. 

And the best news of the season is that from now through November 19th, you can preorder all of these desserts for delivery or pick up on the 22nd! 

Apple & Almond Tarts with Amaretto Butterscotch

Confession: I hate apple pie. I mean, not like I won't ever, ever eat it, but if there are 100 desserts sitting in front of me, apple pie will be like my 96th choice. But, put those apples inside of a crumbly, buttery crust, add a nutty almond frangipane filling, and drizzle the whole thing with a salty, boozy butterscotch sauce, and we're in business. 

Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie

As a born and bred southerner, I tend to favor a sweet potato pie over pumpkin pie. The flavor of the sweet potatoes are a little earthier than pumpkin, and they taste so, so good with the brown sugar in this pie. Sweet potato pie was also my beloved great uncle's favorite dessert, so it always makes me nostalgic for times spent with him. 

Pumpkin Mousse

If Thanksgiving is just not Thanksgiving without a pumpkin dessert, I give you: pumpkin mousse! It's a light, cold, creamy take on the classic pie, and tastes just like the real thing, but is so much less hassle to prep. And you can top it and garnish it however you want. I went with pie crust stars, but graham cracker crumbs or crushed ginger snaps would also be perfect.

Buttermilk Pecan Pie

There's not much to say about this pie, other than holy shit is it good. I'm not allowed to show up to a family holiday without one (preferably two.) Traditional pecan pie is great, if not a little too gooey for my preferences. This version is sweet, creamy, and custardy with the perfect amount of tang from the buttermilk. The pecans all rise up during baking and you get this delicate little sugar crust across the top. It's delicious room temperature and it's delicious cold out of the fridge. 

And I think everyone should make this pie. Step by step directions are below. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!