25 Thanksgiving Baking Ideas That Make the Wait for Dinner Easier

ByMandy Applegate

On a holiday that starts early, 25 Thanksgiving baking ideas offer easy ways to bridge the wait for dinner. People often gather in the kitchen just to see how things are going. Having a couple of warm bites around makes that moment easy to handle. When the main dishes are finally ready, everyone settles in without rushing.

Slice of cheesecake topped with caramel, pretzel, pecan, and sea salt on a plate, with a spoon beside it.
Rich Salted Caramel Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

A close-up of several chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper, with one cookie broken in half to show the chocolate chips inside.
Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

While waiting for the Thanksgiving feast, these Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a cozy treat. Soft, sweet, and filled with rich chocolate, they’re always a hit. The pumpkin spice flavor feels like fall in each bite. Serve them with a warm drink, and watch everyone sneak one before dinner.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creamy Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

A slice of Reese's pie sits on a cake slice, ready to be served.
Creamy Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This Creamy Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie is comfort food turned indulgent. The rich peanut butter and chocolate combination melts hearts instantly. It’s perfect if you’re sneaking a dessert slice after prepping the turkey. Light yet decadent, this pie might steal attention from the main meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

Moist Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins

A plate of blueberry muffins with crumb topping, arranged in a pile.
Moist Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Start the day with these Moist Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins for just the right balance of sweetness. Soft, creamy layers paired with juicy blueberries feel like a gentle hug in food form. They’re an irresistible snack for guests mingling before the dinner tables are set. Perfect grab-and-go bites.
Get the Recipe: Moist Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins

Classic Pumpkin Pie

A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate with cranberries.
Classic Pumpkin Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s nothing that feels more like Thanksgiving than this Classic Pumpkin Pie. Warm spices and creamy pumpkin make this dessert simple yet irresistible every time. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, and you’ll hear plenty of compliments. Guests will be asking for seconds, and maybe thirds.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pumpkin Pie

Amish Cinnamon Cake

Three pieces of crumbly coffee cake with a cinnamon swirl are stacked on a plate, with two white mugs partially visible around them.
Amish Cinnamon Cake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

This Amish Cinnamon Cake is pure comfort baked to perfection. The cozy cinnamon flavor and soft texture make it just right for a quiet moment before the Thanksgiving chaos begins. It’s the kind of cake that gets attention without trying too hard. A slice feels warm and familiar with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Amish Cinnamon Cake

Soft Garlic Knots

Close-up view of freshly baked garlic knots with parsley and seasoning, resting on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Soft Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Savory snacks like these Soft Garlic Knots can be lifesavers during long cooking preparations. Lightly buttery and packed with flavor, these knots won’t last long once out of the oven. Perfect for keeping hungry hands busy before dinner! Guests might even ask for a second batch if they get the chance.
Get the Recipe: Soft Garlic Knots

Apple and Cranberry Pie

A slice of mixed berry pie with a golden crust sits on a plate next to a spoon, with fruit filling spilling out.
Apple and Cranberry Pie. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

This Apple and Cranberry Pie balances tart and sweet in every slice, making it a crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving. The juicy apples mixed with tangy cranberries create a fall flavor that’s hard to resist. It’s perfect for dessert or sneaking a slice while guests wait for the main courses to finish cooking.
Get the Recipe: Apple and Cranberry Pie

Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake

A person holding a piece of pumpkin cheesecake on a fork.
Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Combining classic pumpkin with creamy cheesecake filling, this Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake might steal the spotlight. It’s rich but not overwhelming and feels perfectly seasonal for Thanksgiving. Make sure you save a slice for yourself, it’s the kind of dessert people always ask about.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake

Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies

Close-up of sliced crumbly cakes topped with white icing. One piece is positioned vertically to show its texture.
Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

These Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies are practically made for sharing. Sweet, buttery, and with just the right hint of cinnamon, they’re ideal for nibbling while the turkey finishes baking. Perfectly chewy, their portable size also makes them convenient for grabbing during busy Thanksgiving prep.
Get the Recipe: Soft Cinnamon Sugar Blondies

Sweet Cherry Cheesecake

A slice of cherry cheesecake on a plate.
Sweet Cherry Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Light and creamy, this Sweet Cherry Cheesecake brings a hit of fruit-forward flavor to the Thanksgiving dessert spread. People always comment on how visually stunning it looks with the bright cherry topping. Serve it chilled for a refreshing bite to balance out heavier holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cherry Cheesecake

Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

A close-up of a sourdough cinnamon roll topped with creamy icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon on a plate.
Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Few things feel as welcoming as the aroma of freshly baked Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Warm, fluffy, and just the right sweetness to enjoy before Thanksgiving dinner, they’re always gone before you know it. They’re the kind of treat that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea during catch-up conversations.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Creamy Creme Brûlée Cheesecake

A close-up of a slice of cheesecake with a caramelized sugar topping, resting on parchment paper with a crumbly base visible.
Creamy Creme Brûlée Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Thanksgiving feels a little fancier with this Creamy Creme Brûlée Cheesecake. The caramelized sugar topping adds a hint of elegance while the creamy interior provides indulgence. It’s an easy way to hold everyone’s attention while the meal finishes up.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Creme Brûlée Cheesecake

Warm Apple Cobbler

A baked apple cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, partially served in a dish.
Warm Apple Cobbler. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fresh, homey, and straight from the oven, this Warm Apple Cobbler keeps everyone happy while waiting for dinner. Perfectly spiced and loaded with tender apple goodness, it’s comfort food at its finest. Add some vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have everyone asking for the recipe by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Warm Apple Cobbler

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

A slice of sweet potato pie with a swirl of cream on it.
Southern Sweet Potato Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The creamy sweetness of Southern Sweet Potato Pie is a Thanksgiving classic that always earns a spot on the dessert table. Its buttery filling and delicate spices make this a surefire crowd-pleaser. Guests seem to gravitate toward it for a comforting bite. Save yourself a slice, this one disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Two cupcakes with light brown frosting are shown on a white surface, each in a beige paper liner.
Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you want something handheld and packed with warm holiday flavors, these Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes are the way to go. Perfect for sharing or sneaking one before dinner, their subtle sweetness pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee. They’re festive enough to steal the spotlight but simple enough for everyone to love.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Buttery Chocolate Croissant

Chocolate and pretzel rolls with powdered sugar.
Buttery Chocolate Croissant. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Flaky layers and rich chocolate filling make this Buttery Chocolate Croissant impossible to resist while passing time until dinner. Its buttery aroma is bound to have guests asking what’s baking as soon as they step inside. Every bite is indulgent yet just light enough to merit a second helping.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Chocolate Croissant

Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling

A slice of pumpkin roll being sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Layers of spiced pumpkin cake rolled around smooth, creamy filling create a dessert both fun and impressive. This Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling is an easy conversation starter when dessert rolls around. It’s so elegant, yet surprisingly easy to slice and share with family or friends.
Get the Recipe: Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling

Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake

A slice of pineapple cake topped with fresh raspberries on a white surface.
Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bright, caramelized pineapple crowns this Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake, bringing a pop of sweetness to your Thanksgiving table. Its moist base and golden top practically sparkle with flavor. The old-school charm makes it a dessert that everyone remembers long after the last bite.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Buttery Pecan Pie Bars

Two pecan-topped dessert bars are stacked on parchment paper, showing a dense, crumbly base and a caramelized nut topping.
Buttery Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Why wrestle with slicing traditional pie when you can enjoy these Buttery Pecan Pie Bars? Each bite is loaded with gooey pecan perfection. Easy to grab and easy to savor, they’re fantastic when nibbling before or after dinner. These bars deliver all the holiday flavors, minus the mess of a pie tin.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Pecan Pie Bars

Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies

Close-up of a frosted cookie with a bite taken out, sprinkled with cinnamon, on a parchment surface.
Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Craving bakery magic without leaving home? These Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies fit the bill with a soft pumpkin base and caramel goodness on top. Just the smell of these baking feels like pure Thanksgiving bliss. They’re the kind of treat guests can’t help but steal before the table is set.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies

Rich Peanut Butter Cake

Close-up of frosted square cake pieces with a light brown crust on parchment paper.
Rich Peanut Butter Cake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

This Rich Peanut Butter Cake brings bold, nutty flavors to your dessert spread, offering something cozy yet indulgent. Soft, moist layers practically melt in your mouth and feel like a sweet escape from the savory dishes. Save room, it’s the dessert people ask about year after year.
Get the Recipe: Rich Peanut Butter Cake

Swirled Cinnamon Bread

Close-up of cinnamon swirl bread slices, showcasing a spiral pattern in the texture.
Swirled Cinnamon Bread. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Warming the kitchen with spices and sweetness, this Swirled Cinnamon Bread makes waiting for Thanksgiving dinner something to enjoy. Slices of this bread are snug with bursts of cinnamon in every bite. It’s perfect for nibbling while sipping a warm drink and chatting with loved ones.
Get the Recipe: Swirled Cinnamon Bread

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Several red velvet cupcakes with swirls of cream cheese frosting and sprinkled crumbs on top, arranged on a light-colored surface.
Red Velvet Cupcakes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Vibrant, rich, and always a little bit special, these Red Velvet Cupcakes are a standout choice for Thanksgiving treats. Their velvety texture and light cocoa flavor make every bite a moment to savor. Paired with smooth cream cheese frosting, they’re just the right balance of fancy and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Chewy Pecan Pie Brownies

Close-up of pecan-topped brownies on parchment paper, showing their dense chocolate base and nutty topping.
Chewy Pecan Pie Brownies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Combining the gooey magic of pecan pie with the decadence of fudge, Chewy Pecan Pie Brownies are a dessert dream come true. These rich squares are perfect to ease those post-dinner cravings or to share while waiting for dinner to wrap up. Make extras, everyone will want seconds.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Pecan Pie Brownies

Rich Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Slice of cheesecake topped with caramel, pretzel, pecan, and sea salt on a plate, with a spoon beside it.
Rich Salted Caramel Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Silky smooth, indulgent, and just the right touch of salty-sweet, this Rich Salted Caramel Cheesecake is a Thanksgiving showstopper. It’s the kind of dessert that draws “oohs” and “aahs” when brought to the table. The caramel drizzle adds a hint of elegance no one forgets anytime soon.
Get the Recipe: Rich Salted Caramel Cheesecake

A vegetarian for over 45 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen, using traditional appliances and air fryers. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world.

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