Let’s skip right to Thanksgiving dessert ideas! The best part! But, I don’t think sweet comes before salty. Only salty, savory foods first, and then the sweets. I tried to explain this to Mr. Triathlete as he proceeded to eat an apple, some ice cream, and then dinner food. Silly. Anyway, when it comes to blogging, the end of the meal shall come first just like an episode of Barefoot Contessa—dessert first!
(Random Fall picture from 2 years ago on a hike with my boyfriend who took the picture)
Here is my compilation of Thanksgiving dessert ideas (some healthy, some not-so-healthy)
Pies:
- Easy Pie Crust: Use a food processor when possible as it when cut down prep time! Or, use your muscles and grab a fork. My Grandmother would spend at least 30 minutes just making her pie crusts. She’s a pie crust perfectionist.
- Green Tip: My Grandma would use the plastic bag that cereal comes in as the “wax paper” to roll out her dough.
- Nutrition Tip: Use organic shortening which has no trans fat
- Classic Apple Pie with Streusel aka “Sinful” Topping: I have made apple pie for Thanksgiving in the past, and I just go with the classic Betty Crocker recipe, and it always turns out great. I even had a neighbor requesting I make one for her.
- Slimmed-Down Apple Pie from EatingWell
- Diet-Friendly Apple Pie from That’s Fit
- My Mom’s Pumpkin Pie: I think she just does the recipe on the side of canned pumpkin!
- Lightened-Up Pumpkin Pie
- Light Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie: I recommend making a crust out of gingersnaps!
- Pumpkin Flan for something different than pie
- Traditional Pecan Pie
- Nutrition Tip: I have heard of people using dates as part of the filling instead of some of the syrup/sugar
Fruity Desserts:
- Pear, Apple, Cranberry Tart from Eating Well
- Chocolate-Dipped Figs: almost like chocolate-dipped strawberries!
- FYI figs are a good source of fiber and potassium.
- Cranberry Cream Tart with Chocolate Gluten Free option
- Baked Apples with Cherries and Almonds from Mayo Clinic
- Vegan Pear Tart from Food Network
- Olive Oil Cakes with Roasted Pears: A gourmet twist
- Cheesecake Stuffed Pears from Spark People
Other Thanksgiving Desserts:
- Pumpkin Roll inspired by Paula Dean
- Festive Cheesecake Brownies
- Nutrition Tip: Cut out the butter and use pureed prunes instead. Trust me—instead of applesauce, prunes works better for chocolate baked goods. You can find pureed prunes in the baby food section.
- Pecan Tassies
- Carrot Pumpkin Bars from Spark People
- Maple Walnut Cake from ACE Fitnes
- I imagine myself as an amazing cake decorator making this fall-looking cake.
- Donuts that look like acorns–how festive
I think this will get you started with some ideas!
