Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Barbara
The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to plan your Thanksgiving dessert table. I enjoy gathering with family and friends to stop and appreciate life’s blessing, and that is much easier when you plan ahead. My goal is always to spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table, so I have rounded up 20 easy Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are perfect for a Soul Food or Southern-style holiday dinner.
In this post you’ll find classic pies, cobblers, cakes, banana pudding and more. The same desserts my Soul Food Cooking family makes year after year for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Best Soul Food Thanksgiving Desserts
1. Soul Food Peach Cobbler
The Ultimate Dessert
Peach cobbler is the best of all worlds when it comes to desserts. The sweet sauce, crispy crust and the juicy sweet peaches make this dish so satisfying. You can make this recipe from frozen or fresh peaches.
2. Pound Cake
Pound cake is a classic holiday dessert. It is great whether served alone or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
3. Seven Up Pound Cake
7Up Pound Cake is made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It is my favorite pound cake. I top mine with a light sugar icing. The pound cake goes great with ice cream.
4. Soul Food Banana Pudding
Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipe
Banana Pudding consists of layers of goodness. The homemade custard, the fresh bananas and the vanilla wafers all make this dessert so delicious.
5. Chessmen Banana Pudding
We all know Classic Banana Pudding in and of itself is simply delicious but if you want a decadent treat, change those vanilla wafers to Chessmen cookies. Your tastebuds will thank you!
6. Chocolate Cake
This is the most delicious chocolate cake I have ever had. This cake is a chocolate lovers dream.
7. Red Velvet Cake
This Cake is velvety and smooth and the cream cheese icing is the perfect compliment to this rich cake.
8. Carrot Cake
Any dessert that includes a cream cheese icing has my vote. This carrot cake is moist and decadent.
9. Tea Cakes
Nothing pairs better with your favorite tea than Tea Cakes. These light cookie have a rich, sweet nutty taste that is sure to please.
10. Sweet Potato Pie
The holidays would not be the holidays without sweet potato pie on the dessert table. This classic soul food dessert is one of if not my favorite.
11. The Best Pecan Pie Dessert Recipe
Another holiday classic is the Pecan Pie. For the Pecan lover it is full of the flavorful nut nestled in a sweet caramel filling.
12. Lemon Ice Box Pie
This southern tradition is a treat with it’s graham cracker crust, sweet and lemony flavor.
13. Classic Apple Pie
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a classic apple pie.
14. Pumpkin Pie
Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Pie are synonymous with each other. It is great when topped with whipped cream.
15. Lemon Meringue Pie
If you love lemon flavor like I do then this treat is tart and full of lemony flavor.
16. Key Lime Pie
This Key Lime Pie Recipe is so easy to make and so delicious. It can be a great holiday dessert for warmer climate locations.
17. Lemon Pie
Mini lemon pies are a great addition to your holiday dessert table. They are light and tart with just enough sweetness.
18. Banana Cream Pie
This pie is a rich pie made with fresh bananas and a creamy pudding.
19. Peach Cobbler Pie
If you love peach cobbler then you will love these peach cobbler pies. These pies have the same flavorful taste of peach cobbler in a pie crust.
20. Pralines
The only problem I have with Pralines is I can’t eat just one. They are full of all things good: pecans, wrapped in a caramel coating. Simply delicious!
How Many Thanksgiving Desserts Do You Need?
For most families, I recommend planning 1–2 slices of dessert per person. If you’re serving 8–10 people, choose 3–4 desserts from this list (for example, one cobbler, one pie, one cake, and banana pudding). Hosting a big crowd? Go with 5–6 desserts so everyone can sample a little bit of everything.
Can You Make Thanksgiving Desserts Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Many of these desserts can be made 1–3 days ahead. Pies, pound cakes, banana pudding, and pralines all keep well, which means less stress on Thanksgiving Day and more time at the table with your family.
