Thanksgiving dinner is a full production. The turkey takes hours, the stuffing fights for rack space, and the casseroles are lined up waiting their turn. By the time dessert rolls around, most home cooks are completely out of oven room — and honestly, out of energy too. The good news is that no-bake Thanksgiving desserts have come a long way. These aren’t sad substitutes. They’re creamy, spiced, layered, and genuinely delicious. Every recipe on this list skips the oven entirely while still delivering the warm, cozy flavors your guests expect on Thanksgiving. Make them ahead, free up your oven, and actually enjoy the holiday.
1. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
These little cups are everything you love about pumpkin cheesecake — without turning on the oven. Mix cream cheese, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Layer over crushed graham crackers in individual glasses. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. Make them the night before to save time on the big day. A can of pumpkin puree costs about $2, and one block of cream cheese rounds out the budget nicely. These disappear fast.
2. Caramel Apple Icebox Tart
This tart looks like it took serious skill and tastes like fall in every bite. Press a graham cracker and butter crust into a tart pan — no baking needed. Fill it with a caramel cream cheese mixture, then layer thinly sliced apples on top. Drizzle with store-bought caramel sauce before serving. Chill for a minimum of four hours. The crust firms up beautifully in the fridge. Use a mandoline slicer for even apple slices if you have one. A bag of apples and a jar of caramel sauce keeps costs under $10.
3. Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits
Pumpkin mousse is lighter than cheesecake but just as satisfying. Fold pumpkin puree and spices into whipped cream for an airy, cloud-like filling. Layer with crushed gingersnap cookies in tall glasses for a beautiful parfait effect. The cookies soften slightly overnight, which makes the texture even better. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and keep refrigerated. This is a wonderful option for guests who find heavy desserts too much after a big meal. A box of gingersnaps usually costs about $3 and adds great spiced flavor with zero effort.
4. No-Bake Pecan Pie Bars
All the flavor of pecan pie, none of the oven stress. The base is crushed graham crackers and melted butter, pressed firmly into a lined pan and chilled. The topping is a stovetop caramel with toasted pecans poured over and refrigerated until firm. Cut into bars once completely set — about three hours. These hold up well on a dessert table for a few hours at room temperature. A bag of pecans is your biggest cost, usually around $5. This recipe makes about 16 bars, which goes a long way at a gathering.
5. Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
These truffles bring together two Thanksgiving icons — pumpkin and chocolate. Mix cream cheese, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and powdered sugar. Roll into balls and coat in melted dark chocolate or dust with cocoa powder. Chill for 30 minutes and they’re ready. The filling is dense and spiced, and the chocolate coating makes them feel like a treat from a candy shop. Make a double batch — they keep in the fridge for up to 10 days. Package them in a small tin for guests to take home as a thoughtful party favor.
6. Maple Cream Cheese Dip with Apples and Pears
This one does double duty as a dessert and a crowd-gathering centerpiece. Whip cream cheese with maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon until smooth. Serve surrounded by apple wedges, pear slices, and graham crackers. Guests can dip as they please — it’s relaxed and interactive. Takes five minutes to make. Pure maple syrup is the hero here, so don’t skip it for pancake syrup — the flavor difference is noticeable. A small bottle of real maple syrup costs about $5 and goes a long way. Make the dip the morning of and refrigerate until ready.
7. No-Bake Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Sweet potato and cheesecake is an underrated Thanksgiving combination. Use canned sweet potato puree mixed with cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg as the filling. Pour over a press-in graham cracker crust and refrigerate overnight. The filling sets firm and slices cleanly the next day. It’s less dense than a traditional cheesecake and has a naturally sweet, earthy flavor that feels right at home on a Thanksgiving table. Canned sweet potato puree is inexpensive and works perfectly. Pipe whipped cream around the edges right before serving for a polished finish.
8. No-Bake Pecan Praline Clusters
These taste exactly like the pralines you find at a Southern candy shop. Melt butter, brown sugar, and cream in a saucepan, stir in pecans, then drop spoonfuls onto parchment and let cool completely. No oven required — just a stovetop and five minutes. They harden as they cool into glossy, caramel-coated clusters. Make them the day before and store at room temperature in a single layer. They’re naturally gluten-free, which makes them a safe option for guests with dietary restrictions. A bag of pecans and pantry staples are all you need.
9. Pumpkin Spice No-Bake Cookies
These come together on the stovetop in under 15 minutes. Melt butter, sugar, milk, and pumpkin puree in a saucepan. Stir in oats, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment and let cool. They firm up as they cool into soft, chewy cookies that taste warmly spiced. This is a great project to do with kids the night before Thanksgiving. The whole batch costs about $4 to make. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re hearty and satisfying without being overly sweet — a nice change of pace from heavier desserts.
10. Apple Cider Pudding Cups
Apple cider in a pudding cup is a genius Thanksgiving move. Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with apple cider instead of milk for a subtly fruity, spiced pudding. Chill for 30 minutes and it sets into a thick, silky dessert. Top with whipped cream and a thin apple chip. This is a great low-effort option when you need something quick the morning of the event. Apple cider is widely available and affordable in fall. A half-gallon jug covers this recipe and doubles as a beverage. Individual cups make serving completely effortless.
11. No-Bake Cranberry Orange Tart
Cranberry and orange is a classic Thanksgiving pairing that works beautifully in a no-bake tart. Mix cream cheese, orange zest, powdered sugar, and a few spoonfuls of cranberry sauce into a smooth filling. Pour into a graham cracker crust and chill overnight. Decorate the top with whole fresh cranberries for a stunning presentation that looks almost too good to cut. Canned cranberry sauce works perfectly in the filling — no need to cook anything down. This tart serves eight comfortably and keeps refrigerated for up to two days ahead of your event.
12. Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats
A fall spin on a beloved classic. Make your usual Rice Krispie treat recipe but stir in pumpkin pie spice and a few drops of orange food coloring. The result is warm, spiced, and completely addictive. Press into a pan, let cool, and cut into squares. Kids love them and adults reach for seconds too. This recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. A box of cereal and a bag of marshmallows is your shopping list — total cost under $6. Wrap individual squares in wax paper squares tied with twine for a charming presentation.
13. No-Bake Chocolate Pecan Tart
Dark chocolate and pecans together on a Thanksgiving table is a combination nobody argues with. Press an Oreo cookie crust into a tart pan. Pour warm chocolate ganache — made from melted chocolate and heavy cream — over the top. Press pecan halves in a decorative pattern before the ganache sets. Chill for two hours until firm. The tart slices cleanly and holds its shape beautifully at room temperature for up to three hours. Make it the day before and refrigerate. Heavy cream and a bar of good dark chocolate are the main ingredients worth spending a little more on.
14. Maple Pumpkin Icebox Cake
Icebox cakes are one of the best no-bake tricks ever invented. Layer graham crackers with a maple-pumpkin whipped cream mixture in a baking dish. Repeat the layers, then refrigerate overnight. The crackers absorb moisture and turn into soft, cake-like layers by morning. Slice and serve directly from the dish. The whole thing takes about 20 minutes to assemble. Use real maple syrup in the cream for the best flavor — about two tablespoons makes a noticeable difference. This serves 10 to 12 people easily, making it one of the most cost-efficient desserts on this list.
15. No-Bake Caramel Pumpkin Fudge
This fudge is a guaranteed conversation starter. Melt white chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk, then stir in pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Pour into a lined dish, drizzle caramel sauce on top, and swirl gently with a toothpick. Refrigerate for three hours until fully set, then cut into small squares. The sea salt on top is not optional — it makes the whole thing. This recipe costs about $8 to make and yields around 25 pieces. Store in the fridge and pull out just before serving. Perfect for a holiday dessert platter.
16. Cranberry Mousse Cups
Cranberry sauce gets a glamorous upgrade in this airy mousse. Puree canned cranberry sauce until smooth, then fold into whipped cream for a light, bright pink mousse. Spoon into individual cups and refrigerate for an hour before serving. The color alone makes these stand out on any dessert table. A can of whole berry cranberry sauce is the entire base — no cooking needed. Top each cup with a small whipped cream swirl and two fresh cranberries for a polished finish. These can be made up to 12 hours in advance.
17. No-Bake Banoffee Pie
Banoffee pie belongs on every Thanksgiving table that wants something different. Press a digestive biscuit or graham cracker crust into a dish. Spread a thick layer of store-bought dulce de leche over the crust. Layer sliced bananas on top, then cover with whipped cream and dust with cocoa. The flavors are incredible together — rich caramel, soft banana, cool cream. A jar of dulce de leche costs about $3 and does all the heavy lifting. Refrigerate for two hours before serving. Make it the same day so the bananas stay bright.
18. Spiced Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruit
Autumn-spiced chocolate bark is fast, affordable, and looks spectacular on a dessert board. Melt dark chocolate and spread thin on parchment. While still soft, scatter dried cranberries, apricots, pepitas, and a pinch of cinnamon across the surface. Sprinkle sea salt on top, then refrigerate until firm. Break into rustic pieces and pile on a board. The whole thing costs under $10 and takes 15 minutes of active work. Package broken pieces in small cellophane bags as a takeaway treat for guests. Dark chocolate pairs wonderfully with the tartness of the dried fruit.
19. No-Bake Pumpkin Tiramisu
This mashup of two classics is bold, delicious, and completely make-ahead friendly. Dip ladyfinger cookies in strong spiced coffee, then layer with a pumpkin-mascarpone cream mixture. Repeat the layers, dust the top with cocoa and cinnamon, and refrigerate overnight. By morning, the layers meld together into something extraordinary. The pumpkin spice in the cream ties it to Thanksgiving while the tiramisu format keeps it interesting and unexpected. A package of ladyfingers and a container of mascarpone are your main purchases. This dish serves 10 to 12 and always gets people asking for the recipe.
20. Gingersnap Cream Cheese Icebox Cake
Gingersnaps and cream cheese are a match made in fall dessert heaven. Layer whole gingersnap cookies with a sweetened cream cheese and whipped cream mixture. Refrigerate overnight so the cookies soften completely into cake-like layers. The result is sliceable, sturdy, and packed with spiced flavor. Crumble extra cookies over the top for texture. A box of gingersnaps from any grocery store is your main ingredient — usually about $3. This cake feeds a crowd and can be made two days in advance. The longer it sits, the better the layers meld together.
21. No-Bake Pecan Cream Pie
This pie delivers the look and feel of a classic pecan pie without any oven time. The filling is cream cheese whipped with brown sugar and vanilla, folded with whipped cream for a light texture. Pile toasted pecans coated in a quick stovetop caramel on top. The contrast of airy filling and crunchy caramel pecans is exactly what makes this special. Press a graham cracker crust into a pie dish and refrigerate. Make the caramel pecans separately and add them just before serving. This pie holds in the fridge for two full days.
22. No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie
Save the most crowd-pleasing dessert for last. An Oreo crust is the perfect base — press crushed cookies with butter into a pie dish and chill. Fill with a chocolate pudding and cream cheese mixture that sets into a thick, creamy, almost ganache-like filling. Top with piped whipped cream and chocolate shavings. This is the pie that clears out completely by the end of the night, every time. Make it the day before and keep refrigerated. A box of instant chocolate pudding, a block of cream cheese, and a package of Oreos is your entire grocery list.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving should be about the table, the people around it, and the food — not about fighting over oven space for three hours. These 22 no-bake desserts give you real, impressive options that taste exactly like the holiday is supposed to. From spiced pumpkin cheesecake cups to silky chocolate cream pie, every recipe here is designed to be made ahead, served with confidence, and enjoyed without stress. Pick three or four that speak to you, prep them the night before, and walk into Thanksgiving with your best dessert spread yet — and a completely free oven.