As we plan Thanksgiving, I’ve rounded up 30+ small batch Thanksgiving desserts to give you ideas for your menu planning! These fall-inspired recipes include traditional and gluten free desserts. With everything from a traditional pumpkin pie, to a the tastiest gluten free pumpkin bars. The easy small batch recipes are perfect for smaller gatherings, or give you the option to make a few treats for your holiday table!
The Best Small Batch Pies for Thanksgiving
It is Thanksgiving, so of course any list for Thanksgiving desserts must include pies! These mini 6-inch pies are either baked and shaped in a mini pie dish, or made free-form as a galette. And, if you want to make any of the traditional pies gluten free, try my buttery and flaky gluten free pie crust!
1
Gluten Free Mini Apple Pie
Simply the best mini gluten free apple pie recipe with double crust! We take my super flaky all-butter gluten free 6-inch crust, double it, and pile in slices of firm, seasoned apples. The pie bakes to golden brown perfection with a sweetened flaky crust holding a juicy and syrupy apple pie filling. A delicious pie you'd never know was gluten free and suitable for any occasion!
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2
6-Inch Pumpkin Pie
This 6-Inch Pumpkin Pie with Cranberry Whipped Cream features an all-butter flaky pie crust with a velvety and perfectly spiced pumpkin pie filling. Finish the pumpkin pie with a sweet and tart Cranberry Whipped Cream. A beautiful holiday dessert for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
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3
Caramel Corn Apple Galette
This small batch recipe for Caramel Corn Apple Galette is combines two delicious Fall desserts into one! Made with a creamy caramel and freeze dried sweet corn custard, and simple cinnamon sugar Honeycrisp apple filling. Then baked in a light and flaky pie crust for a pretty, yet rustic, pie for two!
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4
Gluten Free Mini Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a must have for Thanksgiving and so is this gluten free mini pumpkin pie! The flaky all-butter gluten free pie crust holds creamy pumpkin pie filling abundantly spiced with flavor. Plus a special ingredient makes this mini pumpkin pie recipes one of the best!
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5
Gluten Free Cranberry Pear Galette
Sweetened cranberries, cardamom spice pears, and flaky gluten free pie crust combine to make this gluten free cranberry pear galette. The small batch 6-inch galette pairs sweet, tart, and spice tastefully for a galette that is wonderful for the holidays. Top with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream!
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Fall-Inspired Mini Cakes and cupcakes
Sure, you can bake a classic chocolate cake or vanilla cake and decorate it with rich fudge frosting and turkey sprinkles. Or, you take advantage of the holiday and dust off some of those warm spices in your pantry and show them off in these delicious cakes.
6
Cranberry Mousse No-Bake Cheesecake
This cranberry mousse no-bake cheesecake is a must for the holidays! The mini cake features a creamy layer of no-bake cheesecake topped with beautiful and vibrant cranberry mousse – all set on Biscoff cookie crust. The 6-inch cheesecake evokes the holidays with medley of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors!
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7
Small Batch Pumpkin Cupcakes
These pumpkin cupcakes with whipped ganache frosting are brimming with plenty of pumpkin and cozy spices for fall! The small batch recipe yields incredibly moist cupcakes that are finished with a tasty double-helping of whipped frosting. A must-have dessert recipe for fall!
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8
Pumpkin Roll Cake with Chocolate Filling
Add this mini Pumpkin Roll Cake with Chocolate Filling to your holiday dessert menu! This is an easy, small batch recipe for a tender pumpkin cake rolled with chocolate cream cheese filling and sprinkled with powdered sugar. A delicious dessert for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or any time in between!
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9
Gluten Free Spice Cupcakes
A small batch of Gluten Free Spice Cupcakes made with an almond flour blend and full of cozy spices. The cupcakes are tender and moist and finished with a Apple Spice Cream Cheese Frosting for a harmonious blend of holiday flavors.
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10
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
This Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake is made with a pumpkin pie swirl and classic cheesecake, and a must have Fall dessert. This is a small batch cheesecake recipe made in a loaf pan – perfect for two! Top the cheesecake with your favorite whipped topping and caramel drizzle.
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11
Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes
This small batch recipe for pumpkin cupcakes is gluten free and bursting with fall flavors! The cupcakes are moist, delicately sweet, and made with an almond flour blend, pumpkin pie spice, and pure pumpkin puree. Frost the cupcakes with whipped chocolate ganache frosting for a deliciously festive fall cupcake.
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12
Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes
A small batch recipe for Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting made with an almond flour blend, maple syrup (refined sugar free!), and lots with sweet grated carrots. This is an easy cupcake recipe perfect for Spring, Easter, or any occasion!
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13
Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow
A small batch recipe for Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting feature soft and moist cupcakes with holiday eggnog and spice. The cupcakes are made with eggnog, nutmeg, and topped with a warm and cozy Toasted Marshmallow Meringue Frosting. A delightful dessert for the holidays!
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Thanksgiving dessert Cookies and bars
Thanksgiving desserts don’t always have to be difficult to be showstoppers. The humble cookies are bars are a delicious way to add variety to your Thanksgiving dessert table! And, if you are getting a little too antsy for Christmas, you can surprise your guests with a fun decorated Christmas sugar cookie to get the festivities started!
14
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing
Bake a small batch of delicious pumpkin spice sugar cookies with maple icing, perfect for welcoming fall! This easy recipe features classic sugar cookie cutout cookies flavored with pumpkin pie spice and decorated with sweet maple syrup royal icing.
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15
Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
The absolute best gluten free pumpkin bars! This easy small batch recipe is made with a tasty oat flour blend, lots of pumpkin and spice, and topped with smooth cinnamon cream cheese frosting. The bars are incredibly soft – almost gooey – and celebrate everything we love about fall baking!
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16
Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies
These Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies are made with an oat and almond flour blend, and plenty of pumpkin and spice. The whoopie pies are soft, perfectly sweet, filled with a velvety maple cinnamon cream cheese frosting, and are the ideal fall dessert!
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17
Chewy Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
Soft and chewy gluten free pumpkin cookies are the perfect fall treat. This is a small batch recipe that is easy to make with simple ingredients and no eggs! The cookies are rich in pumpkin flavor and have a perfectly chewy texture. Whether you’re gluten-free or not, you’re sure to love these delicious cookies!
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18
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Celebrate fall with the best small pumpkin oatmeal cookies recipe. These irresistibly soft pumpkin-infused oatmeal cookies are studded with chocolate chips and cranberries. The cookies boast a delightful texture and are everything you crave in a comforting cookie!
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19
Soft Apple Cookies with Caramel Icing
These soft and delicious apple cookies are the perfect fall treat! The small batch of cookies are made with fresh apples, pumpkin pie spice, and topped with a rich and creamy caramel icing. You’ll love the combination of sweet and tart flavors in these tasty cookies!
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20
Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
You're in for a treat with the best gluten free apple cheesecake bars! A gluten-free graham cracker crust is topped with spiced apples and the creamiest no-bake cheesecake filling. The bars are finished with a gorgeous apple cider caramel swirl for that perfect touch of fall in every bite!
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21
Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies
It wouldn't be Fall without a pumpkin cookie, and this small batch of Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies are a delicious way to celebrate the season. This is an easy, small batch recipe for whoopie pies that are soft, full of warm spices, and filled with a cinnamon maple cream cheese filling.
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And We Can’t Forget Breakfast On Thanksgiving
Before you rev up your ovens, don’t forget the most important meal of the day – breakfast! A simple on-theme treat to enjoy with your coffee will give you some energy to take on the headline dishes for the day!
22
Small Batch Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Fall baking isn’t complete without pumpkin bread and this Small Batch Pumpkin Bread recipe with a cinnamon swirl crunch topping is a must for the season! This is an easy recipe that makes 5 individual loaves, or 2 mini loaves that are tender, moist, and full of all the fall flavors.
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23
Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Fall in love with these tender and moist gluten free pumpkin muffins studded with chocolate chips. The small batch recipe blends a flavorful oat flour blend, pumpkin puree, and all the best spices for fall. Finish the lofty muffins with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for perfect breakfast muffins!
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24
Pumpkin Spice Latte Overnight Oats
Everything you love about your favorite Fall morning latte is in these Pumpkin Spice Latte Overnight Oats! This is an easy recipe for creamy vegan and gluten free overnight oats made with pumpkin puree, Fall spices, and topped with a spiced Latte coffee whipped cream.
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25
Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Enjoy all of the flavors of Fall with this small batch of Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins. This is an easy recipe for soft muffins made with two of Fall's most popular ingredients – Pumpkin and Apple! The muffins are full of fresh apple chunks and finished with a sweet apple streusel topping.
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26
Applesauce Coffee Cake
This Applesauce Coffee Cake is made with applesauce and sour cream to keep it super-moist, and a cinnamon streusel adds sugar and spice in the center and the top of the cake. This is an easy recipe for the perfect cake to enjoy with your morning coffee or an anytime snack!
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27
Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
These Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts are perfectly moist and full of Fall spices! This is an easy small batch recipe for 6 baked donuts with a Nutella glaze, maple cream cheese glaze, or classic cinnamon sugar topping option.
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28
Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls
This is an easy, small batch recipe for homemade Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls! It starts with a classic cinnamon roll recipe for 4 rolls. Then you add sweet, crunchy apples and maple syrup caramel sauce to upgrade the perfect breakfast treat!
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Thanksgiving Desserts Alternatives to pies and cakes
Dessert is often synonymous with cake and pie – especially Thanksgiving desserts. However, you can create a drool-worthy treat to end the big meal that falls outside of the norm. These desserts take the flavors we want with Thanksgiving, and transforms them into something that is creative – and delicious!
29
Creamy Pumpkin Pudding Dessert
Creamy, homemade pumpkin pudding is an easy way to make a beautiful pumpkin dessert for the holidays. The velvety smooth pudding is full of pumpkin and spice and can be dressed up with your favorite whipped cream. This is a delicious small batch holiday dessert that can easily compete with the prettiest of pies!
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30
Hasselback Baked Apples
Impressive and easy Hasselback apples showcase crisp apples sliced to fan out and hold the buttery oat streusel topping, while the apples bake in a bubbly apple cider sauce. Top the warm baked apples with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce for your new favorite fall dessert!
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31
Pumpkin Pudding Napoleon Pastries
Think of these Pumpkin Pudding Napoleon Pastries like a deconstructed pumpkin pie, only fancier! The pastry sheets are actually super flaky pie dough that bakes just like puff pastry. And the pumpkin pudding is a smooth and creamy custard that is the perfect balance to the crispy cinnamon pastry sheets.
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32
Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding is a healthier vegan alternative to traditional pumpkin pie! Rich and creamy chia seed pudding is made with dairy-free milk and flavored with pure pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Finish the pudding with Whipped Coconut Cream spiced with a little cinnamon and Maple Syrup Caramel Sauce for a lovely Fall dessert.
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33
Cranberry Granita Pudding Parfait
This recipe for Cranberry Granita Pudding Parfaits is a light and refreshing dessert, perfect for the holiday season. The parfaits pair a smooth and creamy vanilla pudding topped with a spiced cranberry granita. Creating a delicious mix of sweet and tart. A must have for your holiday dessert line-up!
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Helpful Kitchen Tools For Small Batch Baking
In addition to the recipes, I’m including a list of some of my go-to kitchen supplies when making small batch recipes. And, if you don’t see what you need listed below, check out the Resources page for a more extensive list of small batch baking essentials.
- 6-Inch Square Cake Pan
- 6-Inch Round Cake Pan
- Half Baking Sheet
- Quarter Baking Sheet
- 9×5 Loaf Pan
- Mini Loaf Pans
- #40 Cookie Scoop
- Odd Size Measuring Spoons
- Mini Whisks
- Mini Measuring Cups
- Hand Mixer
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about the author ...
I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!
I've tested, written, and photographed hundreds of recipes on my website. Here you'll find the tastiest small batch gluten free and traditional desserts - all homemade, all simple, and all for you!
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