12 crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving desserts
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All of you south of the Canada-US border or other parts of the world may not realize this, but it’s Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend! (I know, it snuck up on me, too.) That means it’s time for fall-themed, crowd-pleasing meals and desserts. Since this website started out as a mostly-desserts blog, I’ve got a ton of sweet treats that are sure to please family and friends this weekend (and for my US friends, next month!).
1. Cranberry-orange tea cake
This special tea cake, made in honour of my late grandmother, is infused with orange pekoe tea and sweet orange zest. Drizzle on a simple glaze and serve with warm tea or coffee around a roaring fire and you’ve got yourself the perfect holiday memory.
2. Gluten-free maple “bacon” doughnuts
Try a little something different for your holiday party with these tender baked doughnuts, topped with a sweet maple glaze and a sprinkle of homemade coconut bacon. Sweet and savoury in one, they’ll be sure to get the most attention at the dessert table.
3. Best-ever butter tarts
Best ever is right. For butter tart lovers out there, these will rival any traditional recipe. And they’re also gluten-free!
4. Dark chocolate almond butter cups
Honestly, this is my go-to recipe for parties all year long. Who doesn’t love the combination of almonds and chocolate? These are made using a mini muffin pan and are perfect for parties that are meant for finger foods rather than plates and cutlery.
5. Grain-free autumn fruit crumble
This recipe, from Ricki Heller’s Naturally Sweet & Gluten-Free, is simply delicious. Use your favourite seasonal fruit and top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream.
6. “I can’t believe it’s not pumpkin!” pie
This is the ultimate raw Thanksgiving dessert, and takes no time at all to make. As the title implies, it’s not pumpkin. Instead, the filling is made up of carrot juice, cashews, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spices. Trust me, your guests will be begging for the recipe!
7. Loaded maple blondies
These maple-sweetened squares are loaded with cranberries, cherries, dates, toasted almonds and chunks of dark chocolate. Think of them as a dessert that marries the chewy goodness of a brownie with the sweet additions of what you wish fruitcake could taste like, and then some.
8. Persimmon jam dots
Persimmon what? If you’ve never used persimmon before, this is your chance to try something new—by making a simple homemade persimmon jam and baking it in the centre of these soft and chewy cookies.
9. Hazelnut brownies with maple chocolate ganache
A popular recipe from Tiny Treats, these raw brownies don’t require you to turn on the oven. They’re rich and satisfying yet are also made with wholesome ingredients like dates and nuts. Make them ahead of time and pop them in your freezer until you’re ready to party!
10. Gluten-free cinnamon spice doughnuts
Let’s just say I have a couple of friends who request this recipe every year. Plus, this season means cinnamon everything, right?
11. Gluten-free pear & banana loaf
Humble yet wholesome, and bursting with fruit flavours and chunks of soft pears, this loaf can be transported easily to holiday dinner parties and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and tea.
12. Gluten-free pumpkin whoopie pies
These soft and spicy pumpkin cookies are paired with a delicious chocolate “buttercream” frosting to create the ultimate seasonal cookie sandwich. Plus, you get an excuse to say, “Want a whoopie?”
