Thanksgiving Desserts

This basic, Old-Fashioned Apple Pie is a delicious way to use a pile of apples (truth is, this pie is tasty enough to warrant buying apples especially for it!). Look for variations (Apple-Pear Pie, Apple Ginger, Apple Streusel Pie, Cardamom Apple Pie, Cheddar Apple Pie, Dutch Apple Pie, and Spicy Apple Pie) at the end of the recipe, or find simple ways to dress up any apple pie at Easy Add-Ins to Apple Pie.

These Buttermilk Panna Cotta need to be made ahead, making them perfect for any dinner party. Their lovely, light texture and taste make them a great follow-up to a heavy meal like the Thanksgiving feast.

This Maple Walnut Cake is dense and bit chewy and perfect with a dollop of whipped cream or, even better, creamy maple hard sauce.

A tart is a gentle switch from the traditional pie – there is still a crust, stilll a filling, and yet everything is a bit more elegant, a bit more sophisticated. This Pear Tart is a favorite at my house all fall and winter long. It's a lovely addition to the Thanksgiving dessert offerings, too.

• Homemade Pumpkin Pie
• Cardamom Pumpkin Pie
• Chile Pumpkin Pie
• Ginger Pumpkin Pie
• Winter Squash Pie

A sprig of fresh rosemary on the bottom of the dish perfumes this Rosemary Pear Crisp while lemon juice adds a bright, vibrant flavor to the sweet, unctuous pears. An optional grinding of black pepper over the brown sugar topping adds a wonderful warm aroma. Ice cream, whipped cream, thick yogurt, or a drizzle of heavy cream turn this easy everyday treat into dessert fit for Thanksgiving guests.

Asian pears are crisp and perfectly juicy when eaten raw. They cook up nicely, too, as in this Asian Pear Crisp. Any pear will work in this recipe - Anjou and Bosc are particularly good for baking. A bit of garam masala and warm cardamom gives this crisp a little spicy kick, but feel free to leave it out and use cinnamon in their place if you (or your spice rack) is so inclined. They turn this homey dish into one something worthy of a place in the Thanksgiving dessert line-up.

Walnut pie is a wonderful twist on the classic pecan pie - essentially a pie crust filled with caramel-coated nuts. For even more of a twist, try this Chocolate Walnut Pie.

Mashed butternut squash and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make this Squash Spice Cake a lighter, brighter element on the Thanksgiving table. Be sure to serve it with a cup of hot tea or coffee.