The Thanksgiving dessert table has a way of growing until it is five half-eaten pies. Two or three desserts is plenty: something traditional, something that is not pie, and one small thing to pick at. Here is the full range sorted by what each one is for, so you can choose rather than bake everything.

[Photo: a dessert table with a whole pie, a sliced cake, and a plate of cookies, three things, not ten]

The pies

If you make one pie, it is usually pumpkin. If you make a spread of them, our Thanksgiving pie guide covers pecan, apple and pumpkin from one crust recipe.

Pumpkin Pie

The default. Blind-baked shell, filling cooked on the stove first, pulled on a wobble. Better after an overnight chill, so it is a real make-ahead.

Pecan Pie

The richest option, and the one most people can only eat a sliver of. A custard of eggs, corn syrup or maple, brown sugar and butter, poured over toasted pecans. Covered in the pie guide.

Apple Pie

The one that fills the house with the right smell. Pre-cook the apples so the filling does not shrink away from a domed lid, leaving a gap.

Cakes and roulades

Pumpkin Cheesecake or Maple-Pecan Cheesecake

Cheesecake has to be made a day or two ahead, which makes it the calmest centerpiece for a big day. The pumpkin version is traditional; the maple-pecan is for variety on a table that already has pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving Cake

A spiced layer cake with brown butter cream cheese frosting, for hosts who want something other than pie to slice at the table.

Pumpkin Roll

The showy one, a thin sponge rolled around cream cheese filling, cut into pinwheels. Travels flat, made a day ahead.

No-bake and make-ahead

• Pumpkin Fluff, four ingredients, no oven, holds for days. The panic option that is genuinely good.
• Banana pudding or icebox cake, layers of cookies, pudding and cream that set overnight into a sliceable dessert.
• Chocolate or pumpkin mousse in glasses, portioned, elegant, made the day before.

Cookies and small bites

• Thanksgiving Cookies, a soft maple-brown-sugar cookie, plus decorated and cut-out versions.
• Pumpkin Cookies and Pumpkin Bars, from the pumpkin range, both good on a dessert tray.
• Mini pies and pie bites, the same fillings in a muffin tin, easier to serve to a crowd, no plates needed.

Kid-friendly

See our full fun Thanksgiving desserts for turkey cupcakes, pilgrim-hat cookies and pie pops, the ones children can help make and want to eat.

Building the dessert table

For 8 to 12 people: one pie (usually pumpkin), one not-pie (a cheesecake, cake or roll), and one small thing (cookies, bars, or fluff). That is three textures, custard, cake, and something crisp or light, and nobody is overwhelmed. Make the pie and cheesecake first, since they want a day in the fridge. Bake the cake or bars the day before. Do the cookies or fluff on the day. There are more ideas, including non-traditional ones, in our 12 unique traditional Thanksgiving desserts and in Thanksgiving dessert ideas.

Frequently asked questions

How many desserts should I make for Thanksgiving?

Two or three for a table of 8 to 12: one pie, one non-pie option like a cheesecake or cake, and one small item like cookies or fluff. More than that mostly creates leftovers.

What Thanksgiving dessert can I make the furthest ahead?

Cheesecake, which must be made 1 to 2 days ahead, followed by pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll, both better after an overnight chill.

What is a good non-pumpkin Thanksgiving dessert?

A maple-pecan cheesecake, a spiced layer cake, pecan or apple pie, or an icebox cake, all give the table variety when there is already pumpkin pie.

What dessert can I make with no oven?

Pumpkin fluff, banana pudding, an icebox cake, or mousse in glasses, all set in the fridge and are made the day before.

The bottom line

Pick a pie, a not-pie, and a small thing. Make the make-aheads first. Three desserts done well beats a table of five that were rushed.

Save this as the one to open every year when you are deciding what to bake.