Raise your hand if you are totally over pumpkin! I know, I know. It seems like sacrilege nowadays, but it’s totally OK to admit that you freaking hate pumpkin. Blame Starbucks and their damned pumpkin spice latte, but somewhere along the way, the whole world went bonkers for everything pumpkin — and forgive us if we say that a world in which pumpkin spice-flavored dog treats exist is a world we don’t want to live in.
And though pumpkin pies are totally an old-school Thanksgiving standard, the smooshed-up squash dish does not have the market cornered when it comes to the best holiday desserts. Not even close. Who needs pumpkin — or pie for that matter — when you can have apples, cheesecake and caramel?
Just for you, our fellow pumpkin haters, we’ve rounded up 30 dessert recipes that are delectable — and have nothing to do with orange gourds.
Originally published November 2015. Updated November 2017.
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Apple pie bites
Image Credit: The Blond Cook Refrigerated canned crescent rolls make these apple pie bites a breeze to whip up.
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Salted caramel brownies
Image Credit: Pip and Ebby Luscious salted caramel drips off of these fudgy brownies, a decadent dessert for special occasions.
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Harvest chocolate chip cookie cake
Image Credit: Crazy for Crust Chocolate chip cookie dough and candy corn make up this sweet and festive treat.
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Apple pie fries
Image Credit: Cakes Cottage Who ever said dessert couldn’t be finger food? Try these apple pie fries, no fork required.
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Spiced apple and banana Bundt cake
Image Credit: Averie Cooks Vanilla-caramel glaze tops this spiced apple and banana Bundt cake.
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Fall leaves Rice Krispies Treats
Image Credit: Two Sisters Crafting Jazz up your Thanksgiving dessert spread with these colorful fall leaf Rice Krispies Treats.
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White chocolate-cranberry cookies
Image Credit: Sally's Baking Addiction Deep red cranberries and shiny white chocolate chips make these cookies look as good as they taste.
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Mini caramel apples
Image Credit: My Litter Cleanup will be a breeze when you serve these mini caramel apples on a stick instead of messy pie.
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Caramel apple cheesecake crumble bars
Image Credit: Averie Cooks Topped with a sticky salted caramel crumble, these apple cheesecake bars are a must-try.
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Ginger rice pudding with honey pears
Image Credit: Cockles and Mussels Honey-roasted pears and warming ginger make this sweet rice pudding the definition of comfort food.
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Cranberry-apple crumb cake
Image Credit: Uni Homemaker Perfect with coffee, this cranberry-apple crumb cake is an ideal after-dinner treat.
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Pecan pie bars
Image Credit: Just a Taste Forget about making a fussy rolled pie crust, and opt for these pecan pie bars instead.
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Caramel toffee crunch cheesecake
Image Credit: Yammie's Noshery Crunchy and smooth, buttery and sweet, this caramel toffee crunch cheesecake can’t be beat.
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Maple caramel bacon crack
Image Credit: The Domestic Rebel You’ll have a hard time getting your guests to leave the table once you put out this bacon “crack” dessert.
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Apple pie salsa
Image Credit: Frosting and a Smile Serve up this apple pie salsa with homemade cinnamon sugar chips.
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Caramel apple blondie cheesecake
Image Credit: Life Love and Sugar It’ll be hard for your guests to decide what they like more — the cheesecake layer or blondie base.
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Chocolate-peanut butter cake bites
Image Credit: Two Sisters Crafting Peanut butter frosting makes these chocolate cake bites truly worth celebrating.
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Bloomin’ baked apples
Image Credit: The Gunny Sack Stuffed with caramel and topped with ice cream, these bloomin’ baked apples are anything but boring.
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Cranberry upside-down cake
Image Credit: Simply Recipes Colorful, tart cranberries get a hit of caramelization in this upside-down cake recipe.
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Cinnamon sugar cake
Image Credit: Deliciously Sprinkled Warm cinnamon makes this sweet cake taste just like fall.
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Cranberry-apple shortbread bars
Image Credit: Keep It Sweet Desserts Buttery shortbread bars melt in your mouth, and the cranberry/apple combo makes them taste like fall.
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Salted caramel chocolate chip cheesecakes
Image Credit: Sally's Baking Addiction/Pinterest Mini chocolate chip cheesecakes with a thick cookie crust and homemade salted caramel sauce? Perfection.
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Soft maple sugar cookies
Image Credit: The Novice Chef/Pinterest Imagine how great soft maple sugar cookies baking in the oven will make your kitchen smell!
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Fall Oreo acorn balls
Image Credit: Dreaming in DIY/Pinterest These little treats are adorable and a snap to whip up.
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Apple pie cookies
Image Credit: Passion for Savings/Pinterest These mini-pies are a cute spin on an old classic.
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Apple cider cupcakes
Image Credit: Wishes and Dishes Apple cider cupcakes with brown sugar cinnamon buttercream sound so good you might want to skip the turkey.
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Sweet potato slab pie
Image Credit: Relish/Pinterest Why not top off your sweet potato casserole with a sweet potato slab pie?
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Caramel apple cream puffs
Image Credit: Baking a Moment/Pinterest Cream puffs are a tad unexpected for Thanksgiving, but this caramel apple version is amazing.
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Pecan pie cake roll
Image Credit: Home.Made.Interest/Pinterest It’s literally pecan pie wrapped in cake. What more could a girl ask for?
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Autumn spice cake with cream cheese frosting
Image Credit: Cooking Classy/Pinterest This old-fashioned spiced cake goes perfectly with an after-dinner cup of coffee.
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30 delectable Thanksgiving desserts
Image Credit: SheKnows Pin now, bake later!
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