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Easy No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts (Quick, Make-Ahead Holiday Treats)

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If you want to skip the oven this year, these No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts are the perfect solution.

Each recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients, making them ideal for busy holiday kitchens.

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute treat, a kid-friendly idea, or something you can make ahead, these Thanksgiving dessert ideas add a sweet finish to your holiday meal without any extra stress.

Different dessert recipes that are no bake for Thanksgiving.

This post was originally published in 2023 and refreshed in 2025 with updated tips, clearer instructions, and helpful new details for holiday cooking.

At-a-Glance: No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts

What You’ll Find: A collection of easy, no-bake desserts you can make with simple ingredients and zero oven time.

Why You’ll Love It: These desserts come together fast, work great for last-minute hosting, and stay kid-friendly and holiday-ready.

Perfect For: Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, potlucks, or when your oven is already full of turkey and sides.

Time-Saver or Pro Tip: Prep these desserts the night before—most taste even better after chilling.

If you are looking for more easy dessert recipes perfect for the holidays, check out my collection of Apple Dessert Recipes and No Bake Pumpkin Desserts.

Table of Contents

Quick Tip

No-bake desserts are easy to dress up with simple toppings and fall-inspired flavors.

  • Add fresh fruit, chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, crushed cookies, or a drizzle of caramel for a festive touch.
  • Use warm seasonal flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, maple syrup, or crushed gingersnaps to give your desserts a Thanksgiving twist.
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Tips for making No Bake Desserts

  • Chill Ingredients: make sure ingredients like cream cheese, whipped cream, and pudding mixtures are well chilled before you start. Cold ingredients help no-bake desserts set properly.
  • Choose good-quality ingredients: because no-bake desserts rely on fresh, strong flavors without baking to balance them. Myy No Bake Cheesecakes Cupcakes using fresh strawberries instead of canned and it makes a big difference.
  • Don’t rush the chilling time: most no-bake Thanksgiving desserts need several hours in the refrigerator to firm up, and many taste even better when made the night before. For example, my No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake needs to be chilled for 4 hours before serving.

My recipe for No Bake Cheesecakes Cupcakes replaces canned fruit with fresh strawberries. Using fresh strawberries enhances the freshness of the cupcakes.

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No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pudding Mix

This dessert is the perfect combination of cheesecake and pumpkin pie all in one delicious recipe!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
_FEATURED NEW SIZE No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

German Sweet Chocolate Pie Recipe

This pie recipe is perfect for any occasion. The rich, creamy filling is made with milk, cream cheese, and white sugar then topped with frozen whipped topping in a graham cracker crust. Serve this delicious dessert at your next party and watch it disappear!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: fatdadfoodie.com
German Sweet Chocolate Pie Recipe

Microwave Rocky Road Fudge

This microwave rocky road fudge can be made in just minutes and is loaded with chocolate, walnuts and marshmallows. Once you see how easy it is to make microwave fudge, you’ll never use any other method again!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.dinneratthezoo.com
Microwave Rocky Road Fudge

Frozen Pumpkin No Bake Cheesecake

This no bake cheesecake is the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving where you want to serve something festive and different than the average pumpkin pie.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: canadiancookingadventures.com
Frozen Pumpkin No Bake Cheesecake

Pumpkin Pie No Churn Ice Cream

Make this recipe
Photo credit: thereislifeafterwheat.com
pumpkin pie no churn ice cream

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Recipe

This easy layered holiday dessert combines pumpkin pie and cheesecake! This sweet, spiced dessert is a must-make for your Thanksgiving gathering.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.simplystacie.net
pumpkin cheesecake pie

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars are a delicious no bake dessert that has a creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling, a buttery graham cracker crust, and a secret ingredient!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: barefootinthepines.com
no bake pumpkin cheesecake bars

Eat My Cheesecake

This no bake cheesecake combines sweet and salty caramel with a creamy cheesecake filling making a decadent dessert!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.eatmycheesecake.com
No bake salted caramel cheesecake

No-Bake Pumpkin Cookie Dough Cake Pops Recipe

These pumpkin cookie dough pops are easy to make, and are a festive treat for your Thanksgiving dessert table.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: crayonsandcravings.com
pumpkin pops

Best Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

These gooey pumpkin cheesecake bars are not only delicious, but also vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Their cheesecake layer is made of pumpkin with a layer of chocolate on top!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: wholefoodsoulfoodkitchen.com
pumpkin pie snickers bars

No Bake Thanksgiving Nutter Butter Acorns Recipe

For a cute, no bake dessert that's ready in under 20 minutes, you'll love these Nutter Butter acorns!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.drugstoredivas.net
nutter butter acorns

No-Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake

This decadent dessert is perfect for any holiday or occasion. The no-bake cheesecake has an ooey-gooey pecan pie topping that sends this dessert over the top!
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Photo credit: www.kleinworthco.com
pecan pie cheesecake

No Bake Pumpkin Cookies

These pumpkin cookies are an easy, no bake dessert! They're the perfect fall twist to a popular homemade cookie recipe.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: twokidsandacoupon.com
No bake pumpkin cookies

Apple Sundae Dessert

Combine store bought ice cream with a homemade apple topping filled with flavors of cinnamon and ginger for a delicious apple treat this fall.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: bunnyswarmoven.net
apple sundae

Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler

This recipe is technically not a no-bake dessert, but the preparation method involves using a Crock Pot, which sets it apart from traditional no-bake recipes. It's a semi-homemade, quick and easy dessert that will please a crowd.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.jugglingactmama.com
slow cooker apple cobbler

No-Bake Apple Yum Yum (+Video)

This four layer dessert of graham crackers, apple pie filling, sweeted cream cheese, and whipped topping gets better as it sits, so it's perfect for making the night before!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.thecountrycook.net
no bake apple yum yum

No-Bake Apple Pie

This no bake apple pie has all the flavors of an apple pie in a graham cracker crust.
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Photo credit: iambaker.net
no bake apple pie

No Bake Caramel Apple Lush, Fall Favorite Dessert!

This dessert is perfect for fall with layers of cream cheese, whipped cream, caramel, butterscotch pudding, and apple pie filling!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: lifewiththecrustcutoff.com
no bake caramel apple lush

Apple Delight Recipe (No-Bake)

This apple delight is packed with five layers of apples, cream cheese, whipped cream, and caramel that will make you forget all about pie!
Make this recipe
Photo credit: www.thekitchn.com
apple delight

Chocolate Cheesecake Pudding Pie

Whip up a decadent dessert with instant chocolate pudding, cream cheese, and a chocolate graham cracker crust for the perfect ending to any meal.
Make this recipe
Photo credit: walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
slice of chocolate cheesecake pudding pie served on a white plate.

Recipe FAQ's

To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!

Can I make these no-bake desserts the day before?

Yes! Most no-bake Thanksgiving desserts taste even better after chilling overnight, which makes them perfect for prepping ahead.

How long do no-bake recipes need to chill?

Most need at least 2–4 hours in the refrigerator to set properly. Cheesecakes or layered desserts may need longer.

Can I freeze no-bake Thanksgiving desserts?

Some no-bake pies and bars freeze well. Wrap tightly and freeze up to one month, then thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Easy No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
Easy No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts

About Lois

Originally from Queens, NY, Lois is the voice behind Walking on Sunshine Recipes, where she shares easy, family-friendly meals made with simple ingredients. She believes dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious and offers practical recipes, monthly meal plans, and free printables to help busy families cook with less stress and more joy. When she’s not in the kitchen, Lois enjoys time with her family, gardening and sharing inspiration from her home in rural Pennsylvania.

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