60+ Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Forget all the fuss about Thanksgiving turkey, the real show stoppers of the day are the Thanksgiving desserts. Southern Living has so many options for great Thanksgiving dessert recipes from the traditional pumpkin pie recipes to the decadent trifle recipes to the easy-to-transport heath bar squares. You can’t go wrong making too many Thanksgiving desserts. You can only go wrong if you have too few Thanksgiving dessert recipes – or if you fill up on too much of that turkey! Even if you aren’t the one bringing the Thanksgiving dessert this year, they are fun to look through and then send along the Thanksgiving dessert recipe to a friend or family member.

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Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisu

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

Make Ahead: Loosely wrap baked and cooked tiramisu in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Cherry-Spice Cake Trifle

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cherry-Spice Cake Trifle

Thaw Holiday Spice Cake layers and prepare the recipe through Step 3. Assemble trifle in the morning, and refrigerate. Remove 1 hour before serving.

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Chocolate-Pecan Mousse Tart

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Chocolate-Pecan Mousse Tart

You can make and freeze crust ahead of time; thaw in your refrigerator overnight before preparing the filling.

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Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans

It may be tempting to use a stand mixer for the cream puff batter, but it pays to mix by hand. You need to see when the mixture is smooth and shiny, which will prevent overmixing. Top with Praline Sauce.

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Pecan-Espresso Toffee

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pecan-Espresso Toffee

Take a crack at this intensely rich and buttery holiday treat.

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Combine your favorite Thanksgiving desserts into one delicious cheesecake! A sweet Praline Topping sends this dessert over the edge.

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Pecan Pie Bars

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

These chewy, bite-size bars require just 20 minutes of prep time.

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Caramel-Pecan Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan Pie

Create this rich gooey caramel pecan pie for your family and friends. It is a perfect special occasion pie.

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Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

This gorgeous pie will win first prize on any dessert buffet. Make it for Thanksgiving with the family or a special night in. The pie crust garnishes add a decorative flair.

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Double Apple Pie With Cornmeal Crust

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Double Apple Pie With Cornmeal Crust

Don't skip the apple jelly in this to-die-for pie recipe—it makes the baked pie juices extra rich. It also decreases the cloudiness that sometimes occurs with a flour-thickened apple pie filling.

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Blackberry-Apple Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Pie

This apple-and-berry-packed pie is extra-tasty because of the white-Cheddar cheese crust that provides a sigh-worthy companion for the sweet fruit filling.

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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

This bread pudding is from New Orleans chef Leah Chase, the queen of Creole cuisine. And yes, it does call for 5 tablespoons of vanilla extract!

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Bananas Foster Upside-Down Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Bananas Foster Upside-Down Cake

One quick flip and this cake tumbles from the skillet perfectly golden and party ready.

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Lemon Curd Pound Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemon Curd Pound Cake

Wait to prepare the Lemon Curd Glaze until the cake comes out of the oven so it will still be warm when spread over the cake.

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Pear Dumplings

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pear Dumplings

A fresh ginger-and-citrus syrup adds the finishing touch to these pastry-wrapped pear dumplings.

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Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

Wow guests with a sky-high marshmallow meringue on this sweet potato pie. Be sure to lightly pack the mashed sweet potatoes in your measuring cup for a fluffy filling.

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Caramel-Pecan Tart

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett; Food Styling: Angela Sellers

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan Tart

Surprisingly easy to make, this pecan and caramel dessert recipe pairs the cookie-like crispness of shortbread with a buttery-rich brown sugar-and-honey topping.

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Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Angela Sellers

Recipe: Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

Garnish this rich cheesecake with berries and currants for a party-perfect presentation. The cake can be baked and frozen up to a month ahead.

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The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Truly our best-ever carrot cake recipe, make this classic favorite for a crowd and you might not have any leftovers to bring home.

Step-by-Step Video: Best Carrot Cake Ever

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Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Keep this family favorite around for the holiday season. Mashed sweet potatoes give the cupcakes extra moistness, while a myriad of spices including cinnamon and nutmeg, spice up the traditionally sweet dessert. A simple Cream Cheese Frosting and a sprinkle of chopped pecans is all that's needed on top.

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Coconut-Almond Cream Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Recipe: Coconut-Almond Cream Cake

This decadent cake is deliciously rich as well as moist. For a colorful presentation, garnish with kumquats, currants, and fresh mint sprigs.

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Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Lynda White

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

This recipe is a great way to use the delicious, seasonal flavor of pumpkin. If you're short on time (or dishes) you can make this in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

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Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan Cheesecake Pie

The nutty topping on this pecan cheesecake pie adds a nice crunch to the characteristic creaminess of this popular dessert.

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Banana Pudding Trifle

Recipe: Banana Pudding Trifle

This classic English layered pudding dessert goes Southern with banana pudding and bourbon-soaked vanilla wafers.

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Pecan Tassies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett; Food Styling: Angela Sellers

Recipe: Pecan Tassies

These mini pecan pies are perfect for holiday get-togethers. They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to prepare!

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Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Delicious pumpkin flavor and pumpkin pie spices make this treat a yummy way to celebrate the season. With only 30 minutes of hands-on time, it's doable for a special dinner party or just a fun treat.

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Applesauce Pie

Recipe: Applesauce Pie

Everyone loves apple pie, especially fresh from the oven on a chilly fall day. You can make this easy applesauce filling up to a week ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Pecan Squares

Recipe: Pecan Squares

If you like the taste of pecan pie, you'll love this easy alternative. Serve the squares with vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert.

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Mocha-Pecan Mud Pie

Recipe: Mocha-Pecan Mud Pie

Round out your meal with a slice of decadent mocha-pecan mud pie. This dessert is so rich, your guests will never know it was lightened.

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Sweet Potato-Buttermilk Pie

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Buttermilk Pie

Top with whipped cream and this sweet potato pie is sure to be a hit.

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Pumpkin Roll

Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Roll

Impress your guests with a spiced pumpkin cake roll that's filled with sweet cream cheese. Rolling up the cake is easy with these step-by-step instructions, plus, you can make it ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to serve.

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Lightened Hummingbird Cake

Southern Living

Recipe: Lightened Hummingbird Cake

We lowered the fat and calories by substituting applesauce for some of the oil, using less butter and sugar, fewer eggs, and substituting light for regular cream cheese.

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Apple Upside-Down Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple Upside-Down Pie

It tastes as good as its fun presentation. Pecans, apples and brown sugar shine in this upside-down pie.

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Orange-Sweet Potato Pie With Rosemary-Cornmeal Crust

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Orange-Sweet Potato Pie With Rosemary-Cornmeal Crust

The simple addition of fresh chopped rosemary makes this an impressive pie crust that compliments the flavors of the spiced citrusy sweet potatoes in the filling. If you don’t want to make a homemade crust, you can follow the directions for adding fresh rosemary to a refrigerated crust.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce

These puff much like soufflés, so present to guests right out of the oven. Encourage them to hold off enjoying the desserts for five minutes while they cool slightly. Finish it all off with delicious Peanut Butter Streusel Topping and Dark Caramel Sauce.

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Upside-Down Apple Tart

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Upside-Down Apple Tart

Make a simple, rustic apple tart with Granny Smith apples plus a few other ingredients you probably already have on hand: flour, butter, and salt.

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Robert E. Lee Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Robert E. Lee Bundt

For a different twist on the General's favorite cake, try this moist and lemony Bundt recipe. It has its origins in an 1879 cookbook titled Housekeeping in Old Virginia.

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Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

This mini Bundt cake recipe features pureed sweet potatoes, raisins, rum, and toasted pecans along with cinnamon and nutmeg and is a perfect pick-up treat for a holiday dessert party.

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White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

This cake is the perfect ending to a meal—from the deep red cranberry topping to the velvety smooth comforting bites.

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Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

The topping on this bundt—a maple glaze with sugared pecans and pumpkin seeds—will make your guests ooh and ahh.

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Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

With a moist, crumbly crust and a decadent, creamy filling, it's hard to say no to seconds of this pie.

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Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt

The crowning jewel of your holiday dessert table, this bundt cake is all about subtle elegance. For this unique shape, we used Nordic Ware's Bavaria bundt pan.

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Ambrosia Chess Tarts

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Ambrosia Chess Tarts

Transform the Southern holiday staple into one of these beautiful bite-sized indulgences.

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Chocolate-Caramel Pecan Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate-Caramel Pecan Pie

This decadent pie pairs perfectly with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Tennessee Jam Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Tennessee Jam Bundt

The best way to enjoy this blackberry and caramel confection is with friends—it makes 12 satisfying servings.

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Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

Savor the flavors of cranberries and apples as they come together with a holiday favorite—pecan shortbread—in this stunning presentation.

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Once you’ve made a pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet, you may never go back to a pie plate. Simply press a refrigerated pie crust into the skillet, sprinkle with sugar, top with the pecan mixture, and bake. Serving it in the skillet is also easy and makes the dish even more Southern.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

Begin with a toasted pecan crust, layer with cream cheese and a classic pumpkin filling, and then gild the lily with a creamy meringue.

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Buttermilk-Glazed Mini Fig Cakes with Vanilla Hard Sauce

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Buttermilk-Glazed Mini Fig Cakes with Vanilla Hard Sauce

Muffin pans make the perfect baking vessels for these little fig cakes. Gussy them up by spooning a dollop or piping a silver dollar of hard sauce on top, and then garnish them with halved fresh figs, fresh herbs, or even pecan halves.

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Carrot Cake with Chèvre Frosting

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Carrot Cake with Chèvre Frosting

Substituting goat cheese for the standard cream cheese gives this frosting an extra-tangy kick.

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Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie

A cross between a fudge pie and pecan pie, you can experiment with different looks by arranging the pecans however you like.

Cooking Video: Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie

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Sliced Sweet Potato Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sliced Sweet Potato Pie

We love the layered look of this ever-so-sweet streusel-topped treat.

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Apple Butter Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Butter Pie

This pie comes together in a flash with deliciously sweet fall flavor that you (and your guests) won't be able to get enough of.

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Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Make and refrigerate without the topping a day ahead. Whip and add the topping before serving.

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Apple Slab Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Slab Pie

Baked in a jelly-roll pan, this rectangular pie feeds a crowd.

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Mocha-Espresso Cream Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Mocha-Espresso Cream Pie

This pie is a chocolate-lover's dream. A crunchy cookie crust is filled with a decadent chocolate filling before being topped off with Coffee Whipped Cream.

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Pear-Rosemary Pie with Cheddar Crust

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pear-Rosemary Pie with Cheddar Crust

Cheddar cheese gives this crust a unique, out-of-this-world flakiness.

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Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Molasses and pumpkin pie spice give this elegant take on pumpkin pie its deep autumnal flavor. Buy one 29-oz. can of pumpkin for the recipe.

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Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Pie

Use slightly firm pears and crisp, tart apples here to achieve the best texture in the filling, and let this mountainous pie cool and settle for at least two hours before serving.

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Butterscotch Meringue Pie with Pecan Crust

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Butterscotch Meringue Pie with Pecan Crust

We won't revoke your pie credentials if you use a purchased piecrust in this recipe, but we love the way the homemade crust's earthy flavor elevates the caramel filling so much that we recommend you give it a try. A few rules of the road: Be sure to finely grind your pecans to ensure the crust will hold together. And if the crust tears just a bit, don't be alarmed. As with all piecrusts, you can easily press it back together with your fingertips or use extra scraps for patchwork.

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Cranberry Cheesecake with Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cranberry Cheesecake with Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Cut into this fall cheesecake to find a surprising fruit layer on the bottom. Dress it up by pooling sauce on top and garnishing with fresh mint leaves, citrus curls, and sugared cranberries.

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Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake

Dessert and coffee all in one slice, this over-the-top cheesecake is a surefire crowd-pleaser. To garnish with chocolate shards, melt dark bittersweet chocolate, and spread it in a thin layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let it stand until set, and break into pieces.

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Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

Substitute extra cream for rum in the sauce, if you like. For a thicker glaze, add the whole 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, whisking constantly, as the glaze begins to cool in the pan. For a sheer, saucy glaze, use less powdered sugar.

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Pomegranate-Poached Pears with Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pomegranate-Poached Pears with Cream

Firm pears will take longer than ripe pears to cook. To test for doneness, slide a skewer or small knife into the centers. The pears are done when the skewer slides effortlessly through the thickest part of the pears. Use extra cooking liquid in cocktails and fizzy drinks, or drizzle over yogurt.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

We use a mix of chocolate and cinnamon graham cracker crumbs here to give the crust a dark color with notes of chocolate and a little spice. You can choose one or the other, so long as you use 1½ cups total. We also like to give the canned pumpkin a whirl in the food processor so it's nice and smooth in the creamy filling.

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Tennessee Whiskey-Pecan Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tennessee Whiskey-Pecan Pie

We love the combination of pecans and smoky-sweet bourbon in the thick, rich pie filling. For a booze-free pie, substitute apple juice for the whiskey in the filling, and serve with plain sweetened whipped cream or enjoy it without.

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Splurge-Worthy Thanksgiving Desserts

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Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisu

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Cherry-Spice Cake Trifle

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Chocolate-Pecan Mousse Tart

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Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans

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Pecan-Espresso Toffee

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

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Pecan Pie Bars

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Caramel-Pecan Pie

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Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

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Double Apple Pie With Cornmeal Crust

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Blackberry-Apple Pie

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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

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Bananas Foster Upside-Down Cake

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Lemon Curd Pound Cake

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Pear Dumplings

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Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

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Caramel-Pecan Tart

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Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

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The Ultimate Carrot Cake

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Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

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Coconut-Almond Cream Cake

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Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

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Pecan Cheesecake Pie

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Banana Pudding Trifle

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Pecan Tassies

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Mini Pumpkin Cakes

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Applesauce Pie

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Pecan Squares

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Mocha-Pecan Mud Pie

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Sweet Potato-Buttermilk Pie

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Pumpkin Roll

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Lightened Hummingbird Cake

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Apple Upside-Down Pie

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Orange-Sweet Potato Pie With Rosemary-Cornmeal Crust

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Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce

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Upside-Down Apple Tart

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Robert E. Lee Bundt

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Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

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