My Favorite Pumpkin Dessert Ideas

Easy and delicious pumpkin dessert ideas that use canned pumpkin are ideal for Thanksgiving and fall entertaining. From pies and cakes, to trifles, ice cream, and even drinks, these recipes are sure to be a hit on your holiday menu.

photo collage of pumpkin desserts, cake and pies.

These dessert recipes bring in the flavors of pumpkin in a variety of sweet ways. Pick your favorite and click through to make it for your family Thanksgiving celebration or fall themed parties.

RELATED: If you love pumpkin and want some savory options, don’t miss my pumpkin curry soup or a vegetarian main dish like pasta with pumpkin-cream sauce.

11 Easy Pumpkin Desserts

The obvious occasion for these desserts is for a Thanksgiving meal. Some of the recipes make enough to feed a large gathering on their own, and they’re unique enough to include in a Friendsgiving party.

You can set up a dessert table and add one or two of these dishes along with other fall desserts that include flavors like apple, pecan, chocolate, etc.

slice of pie on plate with bite taken, and coffee

Pumpkin Pie

My take on tradition is this easy pumpkin pie where I bake the mildly sweet filling inside of a graham cracker crust. You NEED to try it because the depth of flavor you get from the two components is superior to a pastry shell, in my humble opinion.

4 layer cake with candied pecans on top and caramel drizzle

Pumpkin Layer Cake

This 4-Layer pumpkin cake is everything you want for a holiday or special celebration – think fall birthday cake! It’s layers of moist cake and creamy pumpkin filling. You can make it with 2, 3 or 4 layers, too.

bundt cake with white glaze with mini pumpkins in background.

Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake

Easy pumpkin spice bundt cake is made with spice cake mix and canned pumpkin for a pretty and tasty dessert that’s also good for brunch. It’s super moist and white chocolate chips and glaze add decadence.

small glass compote with pumpkin ice cream inside, whipped cream, and cookie

Pumpkin Ice Cream

Make this super easy pumpkin flavored ice cream as a dessert on its own, or as an addition for pie, cake or cookies. The recipe actually uses vanilla ice cream as the base for seasonal pumpkin spice flavors, and tastes amazing!

PARTY TIP: For a fantastic addition to pumpkin ice cream, or dessert table in general, add these scrumptious sweet candied pecans!

pumpkin dump cake served in a stemmed glass.

Pumpkin Dump Cake

There may be no better way to feed a small crowd than an easy pumpkin pie dump cake. It’s layers of smooth pumpkin, with a crisp spice cake and pecan topping, cooked in a large baking dish. Spoon it into a pretty stem glass or coupe for individual servings.

Thanksgiving trifle with layers of cake, cookies, and cream.

Thanksgiving Trifle

Another party favorite is this make-ahead Thanksgiving trifle. It has layers of cake, pumpkin cream and crunchy gingersnaps, and feeds a crowd!

More Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Cocktails

Pumpkin dessert ideas don’t stop at food; you can also mix up an after dinner drink or appetizer cocktail with these recipes.

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