The Best Easy Thanksgiving Desserts, According to Grocery Experts

Thanksgiving desserts are sort of divisive. Some people like them, others don’t, and everyone who does like them has a very specific favorite. Some people love pumpkin pie, which is borderline savory, but don’t like fruity pies like apple. Then there are people who love fruity pies but can’t stand the texture or flavor of pumpkin. Some people go hard for pecan pie, while other people think it’s too dang sweet.

But no matter your opinions on the best Thanksgiving desserts, we are hoping this list will give you at least a couple Thanksgiving dessert ideas to get you all prepped and ready for T-Givvy 2024. Did we mention these are all easy Thanksgiving desserts? Yep, no recipes here—just a bunch of tasty, post-meal sweets you can simply buy and serve and make (almost) everyone happy. 

Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie

As Thanksgiving desserts go, pumpkin pie can be controversial—it’s simply too squashy and savory for some people. But here’s the thing: Everyone still expects to see it on the Thanksgiving desserts table, even if they only intend to have a single bite to satisfy their pumpkin pie quota for the year. Before you go baking a whole-ass pumpkin pie for people to peck at, consider this easy Thanksgiving dessert option: Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie from Costco. This thing costs less than $8 and it’s huge—12 inches across! It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but pumpkin is obviously one of the best pies for Thanksgiving, and this one tastes so good no one will mind that it’s not homemade. Promise. —Alex Yakimova

Read the full ranking of the best pumpkin pies

Member’s Mark Pumpkin Cheesecake

When we said we were rounding up easy Thanksgiving desserts, we meant it. This pumpkin cheesecake from Sam’s Club isn’t just premade—it’s presliced, too. Literally, all you have to do is thaw it in the fridge and, voila, ready-to-serve Thanksgiving dessert. This thing is great, especially for people who think regular pumpkin pie is too savory. You still get pumpkin pie filling, but it’s swirled into a rich, luscious cheesecake—truly, the best of both worlds. If you don’t bake but you still want your Thanksgiving desserts to be a little bit over-the-top, this is one of the best Thanksgiving desserts for a little wow factor. She really is that girl. —Alex Yakimova

Read the full ranking of the best pumpkin cheesecake

Bakery Fresh Goodness Pecan Pie

Some people don’t like pecan pie because it’s too sweet (others don’t like it because they were raised in a household where their grandmother referred to it as “ear wax pie”), but this pecan pie from the Kroger bakery will please pretty much everyone. It’s sweet without being too sweet, and all you have to do is slice and serve, making it one of the best easy Thanksgiving desserts you can buy. It’s gooey and nutty and kind of tastes like cookie butter, and we don’t know anyone who’s going to turn down pie that tastes like cookie butter (even if the pie’s filling does look a little bit like ear wax). —Jessica Block

Read the full ranking of the best pecan pie

McConnell’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream

Listen, I get it. Pie isn’t everyone’s cup of…pie. If you’re looking for easy Thanksgiving desserts that have nothing to do with crust, this PSL ice cream from McConnell’s is one of the best Thanksgiving desserts going. It doesn’t taste like a pumpkin spice latte—it tastes like pumpkin spice lattes should taste. It has a bold coffee flavor, warm spices, and an actual kick of squashy sweetness. If you’re having a casual Thanksgiving, crack open a pint of McConnell’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream and let guests scoop away. Or you can hide this in the freezer and have it as a post-guests-leaving treat after a longggg day. —Alex Yakimova

Read the full ranking of the best pumpkin ice cream

Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie

Contrary to what some people will tell you, apple pie is one of the best pies for Thanksgiving. Why? It’s loaded with warm spices (the same ones you love in every fall-flavored product) and it’s way more of a crowd-pleaser than pumpkin pie. That’s especially true if you go with this Marie Callender Dutch apple pie, which is sweet, tasty, and heaped with streusel. All you have to do is heat it in the oven and you’re done. If that sounds to basic to count as one of the best Thanksgiving desserts, g’head and top it with a scoop of McConnell’s PSL ice cream, and get twice as much holiday flavor per bite. 

Read the full ranking of the best apple pie