It's hard for some (OK, it's hard for me) to believe, but not everyone loves a flaky and delicious slice of pie for dessert — especially the littlest diners at the table. If any members of your family are on that list, consider spicing up this Thanksgiving's sweet selections [1] by going for more nontraditional desserts: cookies and cakes! From individual-size cake pops and cupcakes to cookie sandwiches and layer cakes featuring the holiday's favorite flavors, these 19 goodies might just become your family's new Thanksgiving favorites.
Read through to find a cookie or cake recipe that just might make you say goodbye to pie this Turkey Day!
Pumpkin and Apple Pie Cookies
These clever cookies [2] are only shaped like pumpkin and apple pie — they're simply frosted sugar cookies.
Pumpkin Cocounut Mouse Cornucopias
These pumpkin coconut mouse cornucopias [3] are made using puff pastry baked around an ice cream cone to get the shape — which kids will love helping with!
Turkey Cupcakes
I Heart Baking's turkey cupcakes [4] are made of brown sugar pound cake topped with candy corn and M&M turkeys.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
These cookie dough truffles [5] are egg-free, which means the kiddos can grab bite after bite of pumpkin chocolate chip goodness.
Pumpkin Cupcakes
These adorable pumpkin cupcakes [6] are really just vanilla cakes with buttercream frosting dyed orange for your littles who aren't crazy about actual pumpkin flavor.
Gobble, Gobble Cake Pops
Bakerella is the queen of cake pops, and she doesn't disappoint with these cute turkeys [7], made with caramel candy corn, coated espresso beans, and pretzel legs.
Sweet Potato Cupcakes
Sweet potato cupcakes [8] might sound weird, but the tender cupcakes — topped with browned, gooey marshmallows and brown sugar for crispness — are surprisingly delicious, and an alternative that the littles won't even realize is healthy!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Switch up the expected pumpkin pie with this decadent (and delicious!) pumpkin cheesecake [9] recipe.
Turkey Cake Pops
OC Pop Shoppe's turkey cake pops [10] are Thanksgiving perfection — no gravy needed.
Mini Caramel Pumpkin Pies
These sweet little caramel pumpkin pies [11] are made from pie crusts filled with caramel pie filling and pumpkin puree and are prefect for small mouthes (and big ones).
Pumpkin S'mores Tart
Who says that s'mores are only for the summertime? This decadent pumpkin s'mores tart [12] brings the classic Summer treat into Fall mode with the addition of every kid's — and adult's — favorite Fall fruit.
Gobbled-Up Cupcakes
How cute are these Gobbled-Up Cupcakes [13]?! They're packed with kiddie candy favorites and are sure to delight your little Turkey Day guests.
Pumpkin Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches
These pumpkin dessert sandwiches [14] feature a gooey pumpkin layer surrounded by chewy chocolate cookie.
Caramel Apple Cake
The Great Cake Company put one of Fall's favorite treats into cake form with this beautiful, tempting caramel apple cake [15], which uses fresh applesauce and homemade caramel sauce to create a moist apple cake and decadent caramel buttercream icing.
Pumpkin Lust Cake
Sweet Treats & More's Pumpkin Lust Cake [16] might not sound kid-friendly, but the combo of a buttery pecan crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, a pumpkin pie pudding layer, and a layer of Cool Whip is guaranteed to please little palates.
Impossible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
What makes Meet Me in the Kitchen's pumpkin pie cupcakes [17] "impossible"? A thin layer of cupcake actually surrounds pumpkin pie filling. Crazy? A little. Addictive? Absolutely.
Pumpkin Dip
Take every delicious cookie brought over by a distant aunt or cousin, and let the kids dip them into this delicious and creamy pumpkin dip [18].
Pumpkin Pound Cake
Serve this surprisingly easy Pumpkin Pound Cake [19] on its own, or up the sweetness factor by icing it with Handmade Charlotte's sour cream ganache.
Pumpkin Cake Pops
Etsy's Chasing Pink Fireflies sells these ready-made, Fall-perfect pumpkin cake pops [20] ($32 for 12). You can pick from multiple flavors, but creamy caramel seems just perfect for Thanksgiving!