30+ Small Batch Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
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 6-inch 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!
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
5
Mini Gluten Free Cranberry Pear Galette
Sweetened cranberries, cardamom spice pears, and flaky gluten free 6-inch pie crust combine to make this gluten free cranberry pear galette. The small batch galette is a wonderful dessert for the holidays!
GET THE RECIPE
Fall-Inspired Mini Cakes and cupcakes
Sure, you can bake a classic chocolate cake or vanilla cake and decorate it with rich fudge frosting. 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!
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
8
Small Pumpkin Roll Cake with Chocolate Filling
Add this Small 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.
GET THE RECIPE
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.
GET THE RECIPE
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.
GET THE RECIPE
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.
GET THE RECIPE
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 of sweet grated carrots. This is an easy cupcake recipe perfect for Spring, Easter, or any occasion!
GET THE RECIPE
13
Small Batch Eggnog Cupakes
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!
GET THE RECIPE
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
Small Batch Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
A small batch of one dozen pumpkin spice sugar cookies that are easy to roll, cut out, and hold their shape when baked. The buttery and tender cookies are flavored with pumpkin pie spice, and a maple royal icing completes the fall flavors in these cookies.
GET THE RECIPE
15
Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars For Two
An easy small batch recipe for gluten free pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. Soft and chewy pumpkin bars made with an oat flour blend, rich pumpkin, warm spices, and creamy cinnamon-spiced frosting.
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
17
Gluten Free Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Small Batch
A small batch of gluten free chewy pumpkin cookies is the perfect fall treat. This is an easy cookie recipe with simple ingredients and no eggs! The cookies are rich in pumpkin flavor and have a perfectly chewy texture.
GET THE RECIPE
18
Small Batch Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These small batch pumpkin oatmeal cookies are thick, soft, and studded with chocolate chips (plus a few tart cranberries for balance). A simple fall cookie with oats, pumpkin, and warm spice. Easily double the recipe to share!
GET THE RECIPE
19
Soft Apple Cookies with Caramel Icing
Soft, tender, and topped with a buttery caramel icing – these small batch caramel apple cookies are fall in cookie form. The recipe comes together with simple ingredients like fresh chopped apples, pumpkin pie spice, and rich notes of caramel. It makes just enough for a cozy fall moment, and is easy to double if you're sharing.
GET THE RECIPE
20
Small Batch Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
You're in for a treat with this small batch of caramel apple cheesecake bars! The creamiest no-bake cheesecake filling sits on top of spiced apples and a graham cracker crust (with gluten free option!). The bars are finished with an apple cider caramel swirl for that perfect touch of fall in every bite!
GET THE RECIPE
21
Small Batch Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies
This is an easy small batch recipe for pumpkin spice whoopie pies. Soft, spiced cakes are generously filled with cinnamon-maple cream cheese frosting for a delicious fall dessert. Perfect for two, a small gathering, or when you want just enough to celebrate the season.
GET THE RECIPE
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
Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves
This small batch pumpkin bread recipe has earned its spot as the most popular recipe on the blog! The mini loaves are packed with deep pumpkin flavor, a texture that stays moist for days, an abundance of fall spices, and a cinnamon swirl top that bakes into a sweet crunch. The bread is easily made in a variety of sizes – mini loaf pans, single-serve loaves, muffins, or one large loaf.
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
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.
GET THE RECIPE
25
Small Batch Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Small batch apple pumpkin muffins made with pumpkin puree, fresh apple chunks, and cozy spices, topped with buttery cinnamon streusel. Easily double the recipe for extra servings!
GET THE RECIPE
26
Applesauce Coffee Cake
This Applesauce Coffee Cake is made with applesauce and sour cream to keep it super-moist, plus cinnamon streusel to add flavor and texture on top of the cake. One of the few standard-size cakes on the blog, this breakfast treat is perfect if you’re baking for more than two. You can easily halve it for a small batch.
GET THE RECIPE
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.
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
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 transform them into something that is creative – and delicious!
29
Creamy Pumpkin Pudding Dessert For Two
Creamy, homemade pumpkin pudding for two 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!
GET THE RECIPE
30
Hasselback Baked Apples
Hasselback baked apples are a seasonal fruit dessert madewith thinly sliced apples filled with buttery oat streusel and baked in applecider until tender and caramelized. An easy small-batch apple recipe thattastes like apple pie without the crust.
GET THE RECIPE
31
Pumpkin Pudding Napoleon Pastries
Think of these Pumpkin Pudding Napoleon Pastries like a deconstructed pumpkin pie! Flaky cinnamon sugar pastry sheets are layered with smooth and creamy pumpkin pudding then topped with whipped cream. Everything you love about pumpkin pie in a fancy pastry dessert!
GET THE RECIPE
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 with Whipped Coconut Cream and Maple Syrup Caramel Sauce for a lovely fall dessert.
GET THE RECIPE
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!
GET THE RECIPE
About the Author …
Hi, I’m Erin! With years of experience baking for two in my own small household, I know about the love for desserts without the leftovers. I’ve tested, written, and photographed every one of the 300+ recipes on my website. And even had some of my desserts featured on Taste of Home, The Spruce Eats, ELLE, Parade, and more! From traditional to gluten free desserts for two, I have the recipe for you.
Click here to learn more about me →
Fresh Takes From Readers