Thanksgiving Desserts Beyond Pie: Cupcakes, Gourmet Apples and Dipped Treats
Pie will always have a place on the Thanksgiving table, but many families like to add something different for the kids, for guests who are not pie people, or simply for variety. Gourmet apples, jumbo cupcakes, cheesecake shooters and dipped treats sit nicely next to a pumpkin or sweet potato pie and make the dessert table feel generous.
This guide covers dessert ideas that fit the season, how much to order for a family gathering and when to place your order for Thanksgiving 2026, which falls on Thursday, November 26.
Why Add Desserts Besides Pie?
Adding one or two non-pie desserts gives every guest something they enjoy and keeps the table from running out. It also helps when you are feeding a mix of ages, because children often prefer a cupcake or a dipped treat to a slice of pie.
Single-serving desserts have practical advantages too. Nobody has to slice and plate them, they are easy to send home with relatives, and they fill gaps on a buffet. If you are hosting a large family dinner or a church or community meal, a tray of individual treats makes serving faster.
Gourmet Apples: A Fall Favorite
Gourmet apples are one of the most seasonal treats on our menu. They start with tart Granny Smith apples, which balance sweet coatings like caramel and chocolate, and they look striking on a fall table.
- The Snickers apple is dipped in caramel, then white or milk chocolate, and topped with Snickers pieces. It can be filled with made-from-scratch cream cheese filling or left plain.
- The Cookies n Creme apple is covered in white chocolate and cookies n creme crunch.
- The Strawberry Crunch apple is dipped in white chocolate and coated in strawberry crunch.
A whole gourmet apple is rich, so plan to slice it. Cut it from top to bottom around the core with a sharp knife and serve the wedges on a platter. If you would rather skip the slicing, dipped apple wedges come ready to share in sets of four. Our gourmet apples guide explains the toppings in more detail.
Jumbo Cupcakes With Southern Flavors
Jumbo specialty cupcakes bring familiar dessert flavors to the table in a single serving. Several of them echo classic holiday desserts, which makes them a natural fit for Thanksgiving.
- Jumbo Banana Pudding: a white cupcake filled with homemade banana pudding and topped with whipped cream and vanilla wafers, a nod to a Southern favorite.
- Jumbo Turtle: filled with homemade caramel and topped with pecans, chocolate chips, caramel and ganache. Pecan pie fans tend to love it.
- Jumbo Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed: a strawberry cupcake with a cheesecake center and graham cracker crumbles.
Feeding a bigger crowd? The same specialty flavors come in a standard size by the half dozen as specialty cupcakes, which are easier to portion. See our cupcake flavors guide for the full list.
Cheesecake Shooters for a Lighter Bite
After a big Thanksgiving meal, many guests want just a taste of dessert. Cheesecake shooters are served in 2 oz. cups, so they give everyone a small portion without cutting a whole cheesecake.
They come in sets of 25 in flavors such as regular, strawberry, chocolate and red velvet, and they are easy to set out on a tray with spoons. Cheesecake needs to stay cold, so keep shooters in the refrigerator until shortly before dessert. Our cheesecake shooters guide covers serving and food safety.
Dipped Treats for the Kids' Table
Dipped strawberries, pretzels, Oreos and Rice Krispy treats are easy wins for a kids' table. They are small, colorful and simple to grab, and they can be decorated in fall colors such as orange, gold and brown.
- Milk chocolate dipped strawberries by the half dozen or dozen
- Dipped pretzel rods and twists, minimum of 6
- Dipped Oreos with drizzle and sprinkles
These also make thoughtful take-home treats for relatives who travel in for the holiday.
How Much Dessert to Order for Thanksgiving
When pie is already on the table, plan about one to two extra dessert pieces per guest. Thanksgiving guests often sample several desserts, so smaller portions and variety go further than a lot of one item.
| Gathering | Already serving | Add |
|---|---|---|
| 12 family members | Two pies | Six jumbo cupcakes and one gourmet apple to slice |
| 25 guests | Three pies | 25 cheesecake shooters and 12 dipped strawberries |
| 40 at a church or community meal | Several pies | A 48-treat party package or several half dozens of cupcakes |
For a big crowd, a Deluxe Package bundles 12 cake pops, 12 dipped strawberries, 12 dipped pretzels and 12 dipped Rice Krispy treats in colors that match your table.
Thanksgiving 2026 Ordering Timeline
Order Thanksgiving desserts at least a week ahead, by Tuesday, November 17, 2026, if you can. Same-week orders close at 5 pm on Tuesday, so the very latest you could order for Thanksgiving week is Tuesday, November 24, but holiday slots fill early.
Holiday pickup times can differ from our regular Thursday, Friday and Saturday hours, especially on Thanksgiving Day itself. When you send your order request, ask for the pickup day and time that suits your plans and we will confirm it when your order is accepted. A deposit of half your total secures your order.
Our holiday pre-order guide explains how far ahead to order for each holiday of the year.
Storing and Serving Thanksgiving Treats
Keep anything with cream cheese, cheesecake or whipped cream in the refrigerator, and bring it out shortly before serving. Dipped strawberries are best enjoyed within a day or two.
- Gourmet apples: keep cool and slice just before serving so the apple stays crisp.
- Cupcakes: keep them in their box at cool room temperature unless they have a perishable filling or topping.
- Strawberries: refrigerate in a loosely covered container; see how to store chocolate-covered strawberries.
Thanksgiving Dessert Questions
Do you make pies for Thanksgiving?
Our menu focuses on cupcakes, dipped treats, gourmet apples and party treats rather than pies. Many families pair their own pie with a few of our treats, such as jumbo banana pudding cupcakes, cheesecake shooters or a gourmet apple, so there is something for everyone.
How far ahead should I order Thanksgiving desserts?
Aim for at least a week ahead, by Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The absolute deadline for the same week is 5 pm on Tuesday, November 24, but holiday pickup slots fill quickly and custom designs need more time.
What desserts can I send home with guests?
Individually portioned treats travel best, such as cupcakes in a box, dipped pretzels, dipped Oreos and dipped apple wedges. Send perishable treats like cheesecake shooters home only if your guests have a short drive and can refrigerate them quickly.
Planning the rest of your holiday season? Browse all treats or see party packages and prices, then send your order request.
Written by the Strixly Cupcakes team in Hope, Arkansas. Owner and baker Rachael T. Turner has been baking since 2000 and launched Strixly Cupcakes in 2018.
How to order
Send us your pickup date and time, quantity and any colors, theme or names. Same-week orders close at 5 pm on Tuesday, and a deposit of half the total secures your order. Pickups in Hope are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Questions about deposits or delivery? See our ordering and payment policies.
