50+ Best Easy Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Apple Desserts

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure for more information.

Here is a massive collection of our favorite fall and Thanksgiving apple desserts. These are truly the best old-fashioned apple dessert recipes perfect for serving with any Thanksgiving meal.

Here is a massive collection of our favorite fall and Thanksgiving apple desserts. These are truly the best old-fashioned apple dessert recipes perfect for serving with any Thanksgiving meal.
Thanksgiving apple desserts

Don’t you just love desserts made with apples?

Whether you’ve got old apples in your crisper drawer or just went apple picking and have a heap of fresh apples from your local apple farm, these delicious Thanksgiving apple desserts are a great way to use up apples you have at home during apple season.

These mouthwatering Thanksgiving apple desserts are so delicious you may want to skip the pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving.

We LOVE baking with apples in the fall since it’s the beginning of the holiday season and our favorite time of year.  

Delicious apple desserts are the epitome of comfort food when the weather starts to cool off in the autumn.

From the best classic apple cake and old-fashioned apple crisp to caramel apples and even apple fritters there’s no apple dessert my family doesn’t love.

Topped with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream, these great dessert recipes are both easy to make and delicious.

Plus, these are the best recipes if you’re looking for delicious Thanksgiving apple desserts this fall.

So, if you’ve got some fresh apples laying around put them to good use by making one or many of these Thanksgiving apple desserts. You wont regret it, promise!

Here are over 50 delicious Thanksgiving apple desserts that are sure to take center stage at your Thanksgiving meal.

What can I make with extra apples?

Apples as main ingredients are perfect for baking a sweet treat like apple pie or cobbler.

Combined with simple ingredients, fresh apples create classic dessert recipes that are enjoyed by young and old alike.

The beauty of baking with apples is that there are so many delicious ways to cook them.

Apple desserts are perfect for enjoying any time in the fall and autumn when apples are in season making them  the best way to round out a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.

Here are some of our favorite ways to bake with apples.

  • apple muffins
  • apple donuts
  • apple fritters
  • baked apples
  • applesauce
  • caramel apples
  • apple dumplings
  • ​apple galette
  • hot apple cider
  • apple puff pastry
  • apple pie filling
  • apple bundt cake with caramel sauce (my family’s personal favorite!)
  • ​caramel apple pie bars
  • warm cinnamon apples
  • apple butter
  • mini apple pies
  • ​classic apple pie
  • apple crisp
  • apple cobbler
  • apple pie cake with cream cheese frosting

What is the best apple for baking?

Here is a large list of common apple varieties and their uses. From baking and snacking to juicing and freezing this handy little chart is a great way to decide what to do with all those apples in your crisper.

There are so many types of apples available and each one has a different flavor profile and suggested use.

Some apples are best for eating, juicing and making apple sauce while others are best for baking your favorite desserts or even freezing.

Here is some information about the most common apple varieties and what they are best used for.

Common Apples & Their Uses:

🍎Pink Lady apples – sweet and juicy, these apples are great for eating raw because they oxidize and brown slowly. Delicious in baked goods of all types too! 

🍎Gala apples – a crisp apple with a mild flavor, these apples are best for eating raw, making apple sauce and pressing into cider.  

🍎Granny Smith apples – a tart apple with green skin, these apples are a great baking apple when mixed with other varieties or sweetened appropriately.

🍎McIntosh apples – all purpose apple great for eating, snacking, baking and juicing.

🍎Honey Crisp apples – one of the best sweet apples around, Honey Crisp are great for eating, baking and juicing.

🍎Golden Delicious – a mild and sweet flavor, Golden Delicious apples are great for baking and freezing.

🍎Empire – these sweet-tart apples are a great all-purpose apple for eating, baking and juicing. 

🍎Cortland apples – juicy and slightly tart, Cortland apples are terrific baking apples.

50+ Best Thanksgiving Apple Desserts

1. Apple Blondies

Thanksgiving apple desserts and recipes

These brown butter Blondies are literally the best thing that could happen to apples. Loaded with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon spiced apples these Blondies will be the best part of Thanksgiving dinner. Head over to Sally’s Baking Addiction for the recipe.

2. Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars

A buttery shortbread crust is topped with an apple filling and buttery brown sugar topping to create the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving supper. Get the full recipe from Sober Julie.

3. Classic Apple Crisp

If your idea of Thanksgiving apple desserts is a classic apple crisp then you’re going to want to try this crisp recipe with its perfect balance of apples to crisp topping. Visit Dinner Then Dessert for all the details.

4. Apple Cinnamon Bars

​These apple cinnamon bars are a delicious recipe that’s not only a great choice for dessert but also for snacks anytime during the week.

Combine the wet ingredients in a medium bowl and then add in your dry ingredients in this one bowl wonder. Bake them off and let them cool to room temperature before slicing. Get the full recipe from The Lean Green Bean.

5. Upside Down Apple Cinnamon Cake

This upside down apple cake is one of our favorite Thanksgiving apple desserts for feeding a crowd.

This delicious combination of apples, cream cheese filling and moist cake is the perfect recipe for rounding out a rich Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Get the full recipe from OMG Chocolate Desserts.

6. French Apple Cake

If you’re looking for Thanksgiving apple desserts that are simple and delicious then this classic French apple cake is it. Everything comes together in one large bowl and then baked off until golden brown and perfect. Visit Once Upon A Chef for all the details.

7. Apple Roll Ups

Perfect for breakfast or dessert this is one of those Thanksgiving apple desserts you’ll make the first time and then make over and over again. Get all the details from Bianca Zapatka.

8. Jewish Apple Cake

A personal favorite, this apple cake comes is great for serving a crowd on Thanksgiving.

Apples that are generously coated in cinnamon sugar are baked into a moist cake that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Visit 12 Tomatoes for the full recipe.

9. Apple Slab Pie

Thanksgiving apple desserts

The next time you’re craving a good old-fashion apple pie why not make this apple slab pie?

A flaky pie crust or your favorite pie dough is loaded with deliciously sweet and spiced apples.

Baked until hot and bubbly this is one of those Thanksgiving apple desserts that’s sure to please a crowd. Get the recipe and instructions from Smells Like Home.

10. Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings

It doesn’t get much easier than these crescent roll apple dumplings made with refrigerated crescent roll dough.

Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the apples and wrap your dough triangles to create delicious apple dumplings.

Make these next level by adding some crunchy pecans or chopped walnuts. Head over to Sugar Apron for all the details.

11. Chocolate Apple Slices

Get the full recipe and full nutritional information by visiting Mom Loves Baking

12. New England Apple Cider Cake

Granny Smith apples steal the show in this simple and sweet cake apple recipe.

The apple cider cake layers is perfectly sweetened and kept moist with heavy cream and apple cider. To get the full recipe visit A Family Feast.

13. Apple Pie Money Bread

Planning to make this delicious recipe? Visit The Pinning Mama for all the details.

14. Caramel Apple Cookie Sandwiches

Spiced oatmeal cookies are sandwiched with sugar and cinnamon buttercream frosting and then drizzled with decadent salted caramel.

This is one of our favorite Thanksgiving apple desserts if you’re looking for something delicious and make ahead. Get all the details from Yummy Crumble.

15. Apple Pie Donuts

We’re big fans of apple pie donuts.

So, we had to include this easy recipe in our list of Thanksgiving apple desserts. This simple recipe uses apple pie filling for added convenience. Head over to Will Cook for Smiles for all the details.

16. Apple Fritters

Get all the details and the full recipe from Dessert Now Dinner Later.

17. Apple Pie Fries

Head over to Cincy Shopper for the full recipe.

18. Baked Stuffed Apples

Thanksgiving apple desserts

Tender baked apples are loaded with an oat flour mixture, melted butter and pecans to create one of those Thanksgiving apple desserts that’s sure to wow guests.

Top with caramel sauce or maple syrup to make this recipe next level delicious. Visit Celebrating Sweets for the full recipe.

19. Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler

This next level delicious apple cobbler recipe is loaded with caramel, apples and crunchy pecans.

It’s one of those Thanksgiving apple desserts that feels like heaven in a bowl. Head over to Great Grub Delicious Treats for all the details.

20. Apple Hand Pies

When fall rolls around baking apple hand pies is always on our to-do list.

Perfect for a quick snack or Thanksgiving dessert these simple hand pies are must try delicious recipe. Get all the details from The First Year Blog.

21. Country Apple Fritter

Get the full recipe and details from The Baking Chocolatess

22. Apple Pie Bites

Visit The Blond Cook  for more information including the full recipe

23. Apple Pie Enchiladas

Head over to Healthy Dinner Ideas for all the info you need to make this recipe

24. Classic Apple Turnovers

Thanksgiving apple desserts

Get all the info you need to make these classic turnovers from Erren’s Kitchen

25. Swedish Apple Pie

Perfect for the beginner baker this no-crust apple pie is one of our favorite quick and easy no fail Thanksgiving apple desserts.

Soak your apple slices in water with a little lemon juice to prevent browning while you assemble your other ingredients. Head over to Hostess At Heart for all the details.

26. Snickerdoodle Apple Cobbler

Head over to Holly’s Cheat Day to get the full recipe and all the details so you can make this delicious recipe for Thanksgiving

27. Crescent Roll Apple Danishes

Get all the info for this apple Danish recipe from The Country Cook so you can make them this holiday season

28. Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Visit The Typical Mom for all the information you’ll need to make this best apple bread pudding

29. Apple Fritter Cinnamon Muffins

​Quick and easy to make these apple fritter cinnamon muffins are baked in a muffin tin and are a great way to enjoy a sweet treat after a hearty Thanksgiving dinner.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to go all out. Get the full recipe from Flavor Mosaic.

30. Italian Apple Bundt Cake

Thanksgiving apple desserts

Visit An Italian In My Kitchen for the full recipe and instructions

​31. Easy Apple Strudel

​One of our favorite last-minute Thanksgiving apple desserts this simple strudel uses store bought filo pastry to make prep simple and easy. Head over to Annie’s Noms for all the details.

32. Apple Pie Bomb

Head over to I Am Baker for all the info about these delicious apple pie bombs.

33. German Apple Cake 

A thick layer of cream cheese frosting makes this already delicious German apple cake one of our favorite decadent Thanksgiving apple desserts.

We’re suckers for a good cream cheese frosting so we couldn’t help but add this one to our list. Visit Spicy Southern Kitchen for the recipe.

34. Chicago Bakery Style Apple Slices

Get the full recipe from The Hungry Bluebird.

35. Apple Pie Cupcakes

Head over to Sugar Apron for the full recipe and all the details.

36. Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies

​Visit A Farmgirl’s Kitchen for all the details including the full recipe.

37. Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake 

A delicious vanilla cake is placed on top of a layer of thinly sliced apples to create a yummy upside down cake perfect for serving on Thanksgiving.

We swapped out buttermilk for milk + 1 tbsp of sour cream and got fabulous results! Get the full recipe from Live Well Bake Often

38. Easy Country Apple Dumplings

Get the full recipe from Belly Full

39. Irish Apple Cake

Get the full recipe from The Baker Upstairs

40. Crustless Apple Pie

Get the full recipe and details from The Sugar Free Diva

41. Apple Rose Puffs

These apple rose puffs are one of those Thanksgiving apple desserts that look totally fancy but are actually simple to make. Head over to Homemade and Yummy for all the details.

42. Apple Pie Puff Pastry Rolls

All those classic best apple pie flavors baked into a delicious rolled pastry.

We love this apple dessert for Thanksgiving dinner, potlucks and any other holiday gathering you may be hosting or attending. Visit Plating Pixels for all the info you’ll need to make these at home.

43. Apple Pie Lasagna

This no-bake apple pie lasagna is one of the easiest Thanksgiving apple desserts in our list!

This apple pie lush is a wonderful dessert idea whether you’re hosting or attending a Thanksgiving supper. Head over to Pie Lady Bakes for all the details.

44. Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Get the full recipe and details from The Frugal Navy Wife

45. Easy Apple Bundt Cake

Get the full recipe and details from  I Am Baker

46. Bloomin Apples Dessert

Get the full recipe and details from Delish

47. Easy Apple Crisp

Get the full recipe and details from Our Simple Homestead

48. Blue Ribbon Apple Pie

Get the full recipe and details from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

49. Apple Cream Cheese Cake

Get the full recipe and details from Bunny’s Warm Oven

50. Apple Pavlova

For the full recipe and all the details visit Taming Twins

51. Russian Apple Cake

​If you’re looking for a light and fluffy apple cake to serve after Thanksgiving dinner then this Russian apple cake is a must try.

One of our favorite simple Thanksgiving apple desserts this cake is sure to please a crowd. Visit Peter’s Food Adventures for all the info you’ll need to make this apple cake recipe at home.

52. Southern Fried Apples

Simple to make and delicious to eat these southern fried apples are another great dessert choice on Thanksgiving.

Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to make this simple dessert idea extra delicious. Visit Diva’s Can Cook for all the info.

Final Thoughts

This massive list of Thanksgiving apple desserts was so much fun to put together. We hope that you plan to make a few of these Thanksgiving dessert recipes too.

Whether you opt for a classic apple pie recipe with a flaky crust or an easy apple crisp we know that these recipes will become your favorite fall dessert recipes too.

​Let us know how your apple dessert turns out! Drop us a comment down below or reach out to us on our socials.

Even More Ideas We Think You Love:

🤍 Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie recipes – creative desserts you can serve for Thanksgiving that aren’t pie. Always a hit in our house! 

🤍 No bake easy desserts – quick and easy desserts perfect for feeding a crowd.

🤍 Fall simmer pots – a fun twist and use for chopped apples that will make your home smell amazing.

This post may contain affiliate links. This Tiny Blue House is a member of the Amazon Associates Program LLC. This means that we may make a small commission at not cost to you should you make a purchase via one of our links. Thank you for your continued support.


Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.