Holiday desserts come in all shapes and sizes, from pies to cakes to bread pudding. There are some flavors that pop up again and again – some of which I’ve featured here – but I think that we can all agree that there is no “wrong” holiday dessert as long as there is a dessert.
- Fall is a season for comfort food and the Old Fashioned Apple Cake at What Megan’s Making sounds perfect for cooler weather. The sheet cake is made with a spicy batter that is loaded with diced apples and toasted nuts. It is topped with a brown sugar frosting that compliments all the flavors of the cake perfectly. This cake is one you could serve for dessert or nibble for breakfast with a homemade latte or a mug of apple cider.
- A Sweet Spoonful has a pie you might want to try during Thanksgiving: Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie. The well-seasoned pie stars with whole sweet potatoes, which are roasted until they are tender enough to be mashed into the filling. Nutty browned butter combined with maple syrup gives the filling depth and sets this recipe apart. In addition to a tasty filling, this pie also uses a kamut crust, adding another layer of flavor. The crust could be paired with other pie recipes, or you could use your favorite crust with this filling.
- If you’re in the mood for a dessert that is a little over-the-top, the Chocolate Chip Churro Cheesecake Pop Tarts from Gringalicious might be just what you need. The little hand pies are stuffed with a chocolate chip cream cheese filling that becomes slightly melty as the buttery pastry becomes crisp. They are topped with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with icing. Definitely not pop tarts the way you remember them – and, fortunately, much better. Serve these with ice cream for an extra treat.
- Pecan pie isn’t for everyone because everyone has their own favorite nut. If you happen to be an almond fan instead of a pecan fan, consider Crazy for Crust‘s Toffee Almond Pie as an end to a holiday meal. The pie is similar to pecan pie, but made with crisp almonds and bits of buttery toffee. The combination of toffee and almonds is downright delicious in any form, and this pie is no exception. The pie is easy to make, too, so you can throw it together on short notice or prepare it in advance.
- Recipe Throwback: Sweet potato casserole is a favorite dish for many around Thanksgiving, though it was never a part of my family’s holiday tradition. As a nod to this classic, I created Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Toasted Marshmallow Topping. This rich bread pudding is an amazing Thanksgiving dessert and much easier to make than a traditional pie.