18 Show-Stopping Thanksgiving Desserts to Make this Holiday

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Photo credit: Rachael Ray Show Aired November 17, 2015

Having a hard time deciding what to make for Thanksgiving dessert? Well, we’re about to make it a little harder, with a whopping 18 amazing recipes for you to choose from! From your standard pumpkin and apple pies, to a super-easy Oreo fudge, to allergy-free options, to a Sicilian Love Cake, we’ve got you covered no matter what direction you decide to go in!

No. 1: Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Dessert Sauce

Rachael Ray Show

This is the perfect dessert to make for Thanksgiving, especially if you’re feeding a crowd, since it doesn’t use the oven! Throw the ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook, then just make the sauce to drizzle on top when you’re ready to serve.

No. 2: Carla Hall's Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

Rachael Ray Show

This rich, creamy pumpkin cheesecake couldn’t be easier. It bakes in the slow cooker, giving you time to focus on the main dish! Your guests will never know how easy this decadent dessert is!

No. 3: Zooey Deschanel's Mom's Pecan Pie

Rachael Ray Show

Zooey Deschanel’s family recipe for a classic fall treat is heavy on the pecans and features a drizzle of molasses on top.

No. 4: Grant’s Gluten-Free Apple Pie

Rachael Ray Show

These days, many people are avoiding gluten, so this is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu. The crust is made with a cupboard staple – gluten-free oats! Grant makes his own oat flour in the food processor, then makes a crust that he presses into the dish. He fills the crust with apple pie filling, and then tops it with a crumble topping. So yummy!

No. 5: Valerie Bertinelli's Sicilian Love Cake

Rachael Ray Show

If you want to go in a different direction than the typical fall desserts, try this moist and rich cake from Valerie Bertinelli! She starts with a simple chocolate cake mix, prepares the batter, and pours into a greased cake pan. Then, she mixes up a blend of mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, sugar and eggs, and pours over the top. The two layers combine to make a delicious marbled cake, which she tops with a chocolate frosting.

No. 6: Emeril Lagasse’s Pumpkin Custard Pie

Rachael Ray Show

This is a classic, creamy pumpkin pie that features a secret ingredient that will make your guests go , “Hmm…” Cardamom!

No. 7: Grant’s Nut-Free Pecan Pie

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If you have any guests with nut allergies attending your gathering, this recipe delivers all the flavor of a pecan pie but with Rice Krispies instead of nuts! Who knew it was even possible? Watch to see how similar the end result looks to an actual pecan pie.

No. 8: Yigit Pura’s Banana Chocolate Mud Pie

Rachael Ray Show

This pie is a little complicated but totally worth it, we promise! With a rich dark chocolate mousse spooned over flambéed caramelized bananas, you will want to eat this pie to infinity. (Sorry -- we couldn't resist a pi pun).

No. 9: Kate Lee's Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie

Rachael Ray Show

Bring your favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte to your whip cream! The recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie takes whipped cream and mixes in some instant espresso. Top it on a pumpkin pie (we won’t even tell if it’s pre-made) and voila! Best. Dessert. Ever.

No. 10: Grant’s Pumpkin-Pecan Pie

Rachael Ray Show

Can’t decide between pumpkin and pecan pie? You don’t have to! Our always-clever dessert guru Grant came up with this ingenious way to marry the two fall classics.

No. 11: Grant’s Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Rachael Ray Show

If you want to make the perfect pumpkin pie for vegan guests, try this recipe! Grant uses a vegan mayo substitute, Vegenaise, to make this pie creamy, and adds almond butter for a rich, nutty undertone. He uses shortening instead of butter in the crust, and a coconut milk non-dairy whipped cream for the topping.

No. 12: Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

Rachael Ray Show

This rich and splendid treat from Cake Boss Buddy Valastro will be a beautiful centerpiece for your dessert table.

No. 13: Grant’s Coconut Macaroon Brownies

Rachael Ray Show

If you want to focus on the rest of the meal, but still want an impressive dessert, which are the perfect marriage of chocolate and macaroons. Grant tops prepared brownie mix with an easy homemade macaroon topping and bakes.

No. 14: No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Rachael Ray Show

This No-Bake Pumpkin Pie recipe couldn't be easier! Powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, cream cheese, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, whipping cream and a dash of salt are blended together and poured on a graham cracker pie shell.

No. 15: Maple Bourbon Apple Pie

Rachael Ray Show

A little booze in your apple pie? Yes, please. The recipe combines granny smith apples, butter, salt, spices and 2 ounces of bourbon to really upstage a classic apple pie.

No. 16: John McLemore's Pumpkin Fritters

Rachael Ray Show

Our deep-fried-everything expert John makes a batter featuring pumpkin puree, then drops the fritters into hot oil one by one, using a tablespoon dipped in water, just like making hush puppies. After they’re fried, toss them in brown sugar and drizzle with maple syrup. Delish!

No. 17: Katie Lee's Pumpkin Toffee Trifle

Rachael Ray Show

If you're busy cooking a huge Thanksgiving meal, make an easy, no-bake Thanksgiving dessert with only eight ingredients!. Gorgeously presented and easy to make, layer pumpkin pudding, banana, chopped toffee, pumpkin bread and whipped cream into a glass trifle bowl. If you want an alternative to pie, then make this Pumpkin Toffee Trifle.

No. 18: Cookies and Cream Fudge

Rachael Ray Show

For something different, why not make this three-ingredient Cookies and Cream fudge? Just melt some white chocolate with a can of sweetened condensed milk and mix in a whole package of crushed Oreos. Pour into a wax-paper-lined dish, let set, and slice!

What’s your favorite dessert to make for Thanksgiving? Share in the comments, and watch Valerie Bertinelli make her Sicilian Love Cake below!

Valerie Bertinelli's Sicilian Love Cake

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