What are some interesting desserts for Thanksgiving besides the usual pies?

Question

I am hosting a large crowd for Thanksgiving and would like to serve some interesting desserts other than pumpkin pies which I will also serve.

I would like to offer some lite desserts for those who are too full or wish not to eat pie but would still like something sweet.

Answer 1

Taffy Apple Salad..this is VERY light..non filling...and sweet (serves 8..so you may need to double)

INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can pineapple chunks - drained with juice reserved
2 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups roasted Spanish peanuts
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 tart apples - peeled, cored and chopped
DIRECTIONS
Combine the pineapple chunks and marshmallows. Mix together, cover and refrigerate overnight.
In a medium saucepan, stir together the pineapple juice, egg, flour, vinegar and sugar over medium low heat. Cook and stir sauce until thickened. Transfer to a medium sized bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.
In a large bowl, blend together the marshmallow mix and sauce. Stir in the peanuts, whipped topping and apples. Refrigerate until serving time.


Apple Crisp with Cranberry Sauce

INGREDIENTS
4 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1 1/2 cups whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place apple slices in an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish. Spread the cranberry sauce over the apples. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, cinnamon and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples and cranberry sauce, covering completely.
Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until apples can be easily pierced with a knife and topping is browned.



pumpkin pie cake...just a twist for you....

INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup margarine
1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup margarine
1 cup brown sugar
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
Reserve 1 cup of cake mix from the package. In a bowl, combine remaining cake mix, 1 egg and melted margarine. Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9x13 inch pan to form a crust.
Mix together the pumpkin, 3 eggs, sugar, cinnamon and evaporated milk until blended. Pour over the crust. Combine the brown sugar

and reserved 1 cup cake mix, then cut in the margarine until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over the filling.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Keep refrigerated.

Answer 2

This one is easy & Quick!
Pumpkin Mousse

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
Makes: 12 servings, 1/2 cup each


3 cups fat free milk

2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Reduced Calorie Pudding & Pie Filling

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping


ADD milk to dry pudding mix in medium bowl. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended.

STIR in pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping; cover.

REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour before serving.

Answer 3

Spiced Pears Dessert

These pears are scored to look like acorns, then simmered or baked with a brown sugar sauce.
INGREDIENTS:
6 large firm pears
6 whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon, about 3 inches each
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups water
PREPARATION:
Peel top half of pears. Make a criss-cross pattern by drawing fork tines across top, to look like an acorn top. Cut a thin slice from blossom ends of pears so they'll stand upright. Stand upright in a deep saucepan.
Combine spices, lemon juice, sugar, and water. Pour sauce over pears. Cover and cook over very low heat for 25 to 35 minutes, basting occasionally. Or, bake uncovered in a 325° oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Serve cooked pears with the syrup.
Makes 6 servings.

Or spiced apple rings ~ store bought, put them in a gorgeous crystal serving dish and your good to go.

Answer 4

Puffy Stars Dipped in Chocolate

Use a snowflake, star, heart or any shape cookie cutter you desire to cut thawed frozen puff pastry sheets. Bake in a 400 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until golden. Lightly dip tops of pastries into melted white chocolate. Add a little sparkle by sprinkling with coarse sugar. Think this would be great with melted chocolate w/o the sugar.

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Ice Cream

Ambrosia

Fruit platter - figs, apples, pears

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Frozen S'mores
1/2 c. mini-chocolate chips
2/3 c. mini-marshmallows
2 c. whipped topping
1 box graham crackers, any flavor

In a large bowl with a wooden spoon, stir together first three ingredients. Mix well. Scoop mixture onto a graham cracker square, sandwich with another square. Continue making sandwiches until all of the mixture has been used up. Put sandwiches into the freezer for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until frozen. Serve frozen.

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Little Frozen Fruit Salads

1 8-oz package softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups sour cream
1 pint blueberries
2 cups chopped peaches
1 cup seedless grapes
1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries or strawberries
pineapple rings
lettuce
sour cream
maraschino cherries

Beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and sour cream. Stir in blueberries, peaches, grapes, and chopped cherries.

Place paper liners in 16 muffin tins, fill with mixture, and freeze. Remove salad from freezer about 15 minutes before serving. Peel liners and allow salad to soften slightly. Place each salad on a pineapple ring resting on a bed of lettuce. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and top with a maraschino cherry or strawberry.
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I serve these a dinner parties.

Cheesecake in a glass
http://www.pacificgoldfarms.com/recipes/cheesecakeGlass.html

Answer 5

HI
I use this site when I need ideas for desserts, dinners etc.
They are easy to make, instructions and pictures too.Everything I have made from this site has been a hit with my company & family.
www.kraftcanada.com I use the search engine "desserts" and then choose appropriate choice.
Debbie

Answer 6

We used to do a pumpkin cake. You can use a banana nut bread recipe and substitute grated pumpkin for the banana. A slice of that with some whipped cream is perfect.

Answer 7

Try making a delious warm apple Crisp serve with icecream or whipped cream. Or try a berry or mixed berry cobbler. Your Guests will be asking for more!!

Answer 8

I have made pumpkin bars before and also my dad made a apple cherry pie. There are so many ideas that you could go with. I found a site for you to look at:

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/special/specialfeature/thanksgiving_meal_ms/

Good luck!!

Answer 9

I agree with the people who said sweet potato pie. I've NEVER liked pumpkin pie. Too many spices and I HATE nutmeg. Go with the sweet potato pie and serve a normal drink. No one wants their desert and their drink clashing in their mouth.

Answer 10

Pumpkin Cookies
Apple Crisp
both of these could be made ahead & frozen..so it also lightens the work load.