10 Best Desserts to Bake With Your Loved Ones This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and indulge in the best flavors of the season, and no celebration is complete without a dessert table filled with sweet treats. From classics like pumpkin and pecan pie to inventive creations like Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars and S’mores Brownies, there's something to delight every palate. For home bakers, disposable foil pans are a must-have—they make baking, serving, and cleanup effortless while ensuring perfectly cooked results. Whether you’re hosting at home or bringing desserts to share, foil pans simplify the process so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying the holiday with your family and friends. Read on for 10 amazing dessert recipes that are as delicious as they are easy to prepare!
Here are 10 incredible desserts that you can bake for Thanksgiving!
1. Pumpkin Pie
A Thanksgiving staple, pumpkin pie is the ultimate holiday dessert. Bake your creamy spiced filling in a disposable foil pan for effortless cleanup and serve it straight from the oven to the table.
KitchenDance 11" Disposable Aluminum Foil Pie Pan
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pie crust
- 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp ginger
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Fit the pie crust into the foil pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together all other ingredients.
- Pour the mixture into the crust.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Cool completely before serving.
2. Apple Pie
Nothing beats the aroma of cinnamon-spiced apples baking in a buttery crust. Using a foil pan ensures even heat distribution for that perfectly golden, flaky crust.
10" Disposable Aluminum Foil Pie Pan
Ingredients:
- 2 pre-made pie crusts
- 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line the foil pan with one pie crust.
- Toss apples with sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Fill the crust with the apple mixture and dot with butter.
- Cover with the second crust, seal edges, and cut slits for steam.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
3. Pecan Pie
This sweet, nutty Southern classic bakes beautifully in a foil pan, ensuring the gooey filling sets perfectly without any fuss.
9" Disposable Aluminum Foil Pie Pan - Extra Deep
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pie crust
- 1 cup corn syrup
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups pecan halves
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Fit the pie crust into the foil pan.
- Mix corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in pecans and pour into the crust.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the center is just set.
4. Pie Spice Roasted Apples
For a unique twist, roast apples with a blend of pie spices, brown sugar, and butter. Serve them warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
13"x 9"x 2" All Purpose Disposable Cake Pan
Ingredients:
- 6 large apples (cored and halved)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Arrange apples cut-side up in a foil pan.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; sprinkle over apples.
- Drizzle melted butter over the apples.
- Roast for 25–30 minutes, or until tender.
5. Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
These tangy-sweet bars are a showstopper! A foil pan makes baking and slicing them a breeze. The festive cranberry swirl is perfect for the holiday season.
8" Square Disposable Aluminum Baking Pan
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tbsp. melted butter
- 2 (8 oz.) blocks cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Mix graham crumbs and melted butter; press into the bottom of the foil pan.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour over the crust. Swirl in cranberry sauce with a knife.
- Bake for 40 minutes, then cool and chill before slicing.
6. Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake
Layers of spiced cookies and cinnamon-infused whipped cream create a no-bake masterpiece. Assemble it in a foil pan and chill overnight for a stress-free dessert.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 packs spiced cookies (like ginger snaps)
Instructions:
- Whip cream with sugar and cinnamon until stiff peaks form.
- Layer cookies and whipped cream in the foil pan.
- Chill overnight to allow flavors to meld.
7. S’mores Brownies
Combine gooey marshmallows, melted chocolate, and graham crackers with a rich brownie base. A foil pan handles this decadent dessert effortlessly, making it ideal for serving a crowd.
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed graham crackers
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare brownie mix and pour into the foil pan.
- Bake according to the package directions.
- In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham crackers on top.
- Bake until marshmallows are golden.
8. Apple Pie Cupcakes
Bite-sized and bursting with spiced apple filling, these cupcakes are baked in foil pans with cupcake liners. They’re a fun twist on the classic apple pie!
4 oz. Disposable Colored Aluminum Ramekins
Ingredients:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 2 cups apple pie filling (chopped)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Whipped cream or frosting
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line foil pans with cupcake liners.
- Mix cake batter and stir in chopped apple pie filling and cinnamon.
- Fill liners ¾ full and bake as directed.
- Top with whipped cream or frosting.
9. Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue
These moist cupcakes are infused with sweet potato and warm spices, then topped with a fluffy meringue that's lightly toasted for a stunning finish.
4 oz. Disposable Colored Aluminum Ramekins
Ingredients:
- 1 box spice cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ tsp ground ginger
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake batter and sweet potatoes, then bake as cupcakes in foil pans.
- Whisk egg whites and sugar over a double boiler until warm; beat until stiff peaks form.
- Add ginger and pipe onto cooled cupcakes. Toast lightly with a torch.
10. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
Add a modern flair to pecan pie by turning it into rich, chocolatey bars. Bake them in a foil pan and cut into squares for an easy-to-serve dessert.
11" x 7" Colored Heavy Aluminum Entrée Pan
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup corn syrup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 1½ cups pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix flour, butter, and sugar into a crumbly dough and press into a foil pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Beat eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, and bourbon; stir in pecans and chocolate chips.
- Pour over the crust and bake for 25–30 minutes.