Here’s a little confession: I don’t like pie. I know, I know - that might sound a bit shocking around Thanksgiving, but it’s true. I prefer Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts that are a little different, a little more exciting, and just as festive.
Thanksgiving treats don’t have to revolve around pie. There are so many other ways to enjoy cozy fall flavors. Like a gluten free cranberry upside-down cake, a soft pumpkin cake roll filled with cream cheese frosting, or a simple baked custard topped with whipped cream. And sometimes a slice of cake or a gluten free cookie with a cup of coffee can feel just as special as pie.
Here are a few of my favorite Thanksgiving-worthy desserts that aren’t pie. All easy to make, full of fall flavor, and guaranteed to win over even the biggest pie lovers at the table.
A digital kitchen scale is required to make my gluten free thanksgiving desserts. Ingredients such as spices are shared in teaspoons/tablespoons. If you are new to using a digital scale, make sure to check out my post about Baking by Weight.
Delicious Gluten Free Thanksgiving Desserts (that aren't pie)
This Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll is a show-stopping dessert for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving. A light pumpkin sponge cake is filled with whipped cream cheese frosting and rolled into its classic spiral shape. Elegant, festive, and full of cozy fall flavor — it’s the perfect way to end your holiday meal.
This Gluten Free Apple Crumb Cake is the perfect fall dessert. It starts with a soft, buttery cake, topped with layers of spiced apples and a sweet, crumbly topping. Every bite tastes like autumn. Easy to make and great for Thanksgiving,
Gluten Free Cranberry Cheesecake Bars are the perfect dessert for the busy holiday season. These bars feature a rich, vanilla bean cheesecake layer topped with a homemade cranberry sauce and finished with a buttery streusel topping. Whether you're hosting or bringing a dish to share, these Gluten Free Cranberry Cheesecake Bars will be a crowd-pleaser.
Enjoy the ultimate fall treat with these Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars! Soft, tender, and full of warm spices and rich pumpkin flavor, they’re topped with creamy maple cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any autumn gathering, these bars are simple to make and even better the next day.
If you love pumpkin pie but don’t want to fuss with a crust, this Gluten Free Pumpkin Custard is the answer. Silky, spiced, and baked in a ramekin, it’s an easy, comforting fall dessert perfect for weeknights or holiday dinners.
Need a break from Pumpkin and Apples? How about this Gluten Free Chocolate Bundt Cake? It's rich, ultra-chocolatey, and perfectly moist. With a tender crumb that stays soft for days, it’s the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers.
This Gluten Free Cranberry Upside Down Cake is the perfect Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dessert. A soft, buttery buttermilk cake is topped with caramelized cranberries that turn beautifully jam-like as they bake. Sweet, tart, and full of festive flavor, this easy cake is sure to impress. Serve it warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate holiday treat.
This delicious Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart features a buttery crust filled with caramelized apples and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, making it the perfect dessert for fall gatherings and celebrations like Thanksgiving. Better than Pie!
If you want an easy, no-bake fall dessert that still feels a little fancy, this Gluten-Free Pumpkin Mousse is it. Light, creamy, and perfectly spiced, it’s ideal for Thanksgiving, a dinner party, or anytime you want a fuss-free pumpkin treat. Spoon into glasses, top with whipped cream or crushed cookies, and you’re done - simple, delicious, and crowd-pleasing.
These Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are the perfect way to use up leftover pumpkin puree. Lightly spiced, creamy, and budget-friendly, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.
This Gluten Free Chocolate Swiss Roll is a show-stopping dessert for for your next Holiday Get Together. A fluffy, tender chocolate sponge cake is filled with lightly sweetened whipped cream, making it a treat everyone will love.
Indulge in the flavors of Thanksgiving with this Gluten Free Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Soft and tender, it’s full of pumpkin and warm spices, topped with a crunchy pecan streusel.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Cream Puffs are the perfect way to celebrate pumpkin spice season. The light, airy choux pastry is filled with a creamy, spiced pumpkin mousse that’s flavorful and just the right amount of sweet. Perfect for impressing guests at your next holiday gathering.
Soft and chewy Gluten Free Chai Sugar Cookies made with warm chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. A cozy twist on classic sugar cookies, they’re perfect for a holiday dessert tables.
These Gluten Free Butter Pecan Cookies are packed with flavor, featuring crispy edges and chewy middles. The secret to their rich, nutty taste? Browning the butter and toasting the pecans before baking.
Indulge in the cozy flavors of Thanksgiving with these Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies. Soft, perfectly spiced, and irresistibly delicious, they’re a sweet treat that has quickly become a readers’ favorite!
Celebrate the flavors of Thanksgiving with these Gluten Free Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bars! Soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice, they’re an easy pumpkin dessert that everyone will love. Make them ahead for a festive treat or enjoy as a sweet gluten-free snack. (Theyb are also egg free!)
Soft, spiced pumpkin cookies are sandwiched with a creamy maple cream cheese filling in these Gluten Free Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. Easy to make and perfect for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, they’re a fun, handheld dessert that’s bursting with cozy fall flavors.
Fall just got sweeter with these Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies! Soft, chewy, and packed with warm pumpkin spice and gooey chocolate, they’re the perfect sweet treat.
If you love brownies and anything pumpkin, then you will love these Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies. Fudgy chocolate brownies are topped with a creamy, spiced pumpkin cheesecake layer, creating a dessert that’s rich, indulgent, and full of seasonal fall flavor.
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Note about Salt in my Recipes
I use Diamond Kosher Crystal Salt in all of my recipes unless otherwise stated. If use use a different brand or kind of salt in your kitchen please adjust accordingly since some salts can be saltier. If you use Morton’s Kosher Salt please be aware that their salt granules are smaller in size, denser, and crunchier and twice as salty.
Baking in grams
I share my recipes in grams and by weight since baking by weight is the most accurate way to bake. Digital Scales are very affordable and easy to use. You can purchase them on Amazon for less than a set of measuring cups. For small amounts under 10 grams, I like to use this Precision Pocket Scale. Measuring cups are very inaccurate which can cause significant errors when it comes to gluten-free baking or baking in general. Especially since I bake with gluten-free flours which weigh differently than “regular” flours. I do provide some ingredients like spices and leavening agents in measuring spoons. To learn more about Baking with a digital scale, make sure to check out my post about Baking by weight.
Note about Ovens and Oven Temperatures
All my recipes are tested and developed with a conventional oven. I always bake my baked goods on the rack placed in the MIDDLE of my oven. This way the heat coming from the bottom will not burn my baked goods.
If you are baking with convection (fan-forced), please adjust the recipes accordingly. Convection oven can cause baked goods to dry out quickly and still be raw inside. Since takes at least 15-20 minutes for a standard American Oven to be fully preheated. I highly recommend investing in an Oven Thermometer.
Substitutions and Modifications
Any dietary or ingredient modifications/substitutions to this recipe may alter the end result in appearance and taste. I test my recipes several times as published in this post and The Gluten Free Austrian Blog is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you find on our website.
Laura Cela says
Wow, I LOVE this compilation of recipes! I want to make them all. Especially the cranberry cake. Gorgeous! Pumpkin pie has never been my friend since I am lactose intolerant. It's so good to see such a wonderful variety of non-pie options. We always celebrate Thanksgiving with friends, so the recipes you have listed are actually much more potluck-friendly, too. Great post!
Daniela says
Thank you so much Laura. I really try to over a different selection for Thanksgiving. We don't do Pies in Austria so I never understood the hype 😉
Darlinda says
Thank you for the good ideas! Doing 2 Thanksgivings in a row makes me tired of so much Pie. 😂
Daniela says
🤣🤣🤣 I could maybe do one pieces of pie a year 🫣