ClosePhoto: Eric WolfingerThanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. What I love the most is that people get to share a delicious meal with their loved ones and reflect on things they’re grateful for. The holidays are not a time to worry about the foods you’re eating, and there are several ways to enjoy all the foods you love (including dessert!) while aligning with your health goals. These are some of my seasonal favorites that help round out the big day with something sweet. If you like the ever-controversial pumpkin pie, you’ll love our Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie and our Coconut-Rum Pumpkin Pie (which I’m planning to make this year). If that’s not your style, try something more unique like our Cranberry Crumble Bars or Fried Apple Pie Rolls. Recipes like our Pumpkin Cheesecake for Two and Caramelized Spiced Pears can even be scaled down to one or two servings if you’re having a smaller celebration. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in advance so that you can save oven space on that day. Whatever foods make it to your table next Thursday, I hope some of these recipes can help you have a happy start to the holiday season. For more budget- and beginner-friendly cooking tips and tricks, check outThrifty.01of 12Brown Butter Sweet Potato PieView RecipeSome sweet potato pies call for boiling these root vegetables, but here they’re roasted to concentrate their flavor. This helps the earthiness come through, which we enhance with the nuttiness of browned butter. The overall effect is a sweet potato pie that’s more complex and a little less sweet.02of 12Cranberry ClafoutisView RecipeEric WolfingerOne of Colorado chef Eric Skokan’s favorite desserts is this simple French dish. The sweet, custardy cake is a wonderful foil for tart cranberries.03of 12Coconut-Rum Pumpkin PieView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis take on the classic Thanksgiving pie has the familiar warming spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, plus rum and coconut for a tropical twist.04of 12Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.05of 12Fried Apple Pie RollsView RecipeIn this healthy take on apple pie, egg roll wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.06of 12Pumpkin Cheesecake for TwoView RecipeSingle-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!). You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them tucked away in the fridge in their sturdy ramekins until you’re ready to enjoy them.07of 12Caramelized Spiced PearsView RecipeServe these caramelized pear slices over ice cream, stir into plain yogurt or enjoy as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Brown-skinned Bosc pears hold their shape during cooking, but any variety of pears tastes delicious.08of 12Custard Pecan PieView RecipeWhile every bit as delish as the classic pie, this one has less sugar. Cane syrup, a toasty alternative to corn syrup or molasses, sweetens the pie along with brown sugar. Because the filling for the pie is wet, we brush the crust with egg white and par-bake it to create a barrier to prevent sogginess.09of 12Easy Apple GaletteView RecipeThis simple apple-cinnamon galette is easy to make thanks to premade pie crust—no need to make your own dough! Serve it for Thanksgiving dessert or after any fall meal.10of 12Vegan Pumpkin PieView RecipeThis easy vegan pumpkin pie gets its structure from aquafaba (the leftover water from a can of chickpeas) whipped up into a meringue-like foam. When it’s combined with pumpkin and poured into a gluten-free pecan crust, you would never know beans had anything to do with this vegan pumpkin pie recipe.11of 12Riesling Baked PearsView RecipeHere’s an elegant yet simple twist on the autumn classic. Pears are oven-poached in Riesling wine, which is known for its floral accents and aromas and hints of honey and pear. Serve this dessert with lightly sweetened ricotta cheese. Delicious hot, room temperature or chilled.12of 12Spiced Pumpkin CookiesView RecipeThe deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter–and they lend themselves beautifully to the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. They are also the perfect texture for a sandwich cookie–fill them with a slightly sweetened cream cheese frosting.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
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Photo: Eric Wolfinger
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. What I love the most is that people get to share a delicious meal with their loved ones and reflect on things they’re grateful for. The holidays are not a time to worry about the foods you’re eating, and there are several ways to enjoy all the foods you love (including dessert!) while aligning with your health goals. These are some of my seasonal favorites that help round out the big day with something sweet. If you like the ever-controversial pumpkin pie, you’ll love our Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie and our Coconut-Rum Pumpkin Pie (which I’m planning to make this year). If that’s not your style, try something more unique like our Cranberry Crumble Bars or Fried Apple Pie Rolls. Recipes like our Pumpkin Cheesecake for Two and Caramelized Spiced Pears can even be scaled down to one or two servings if you’re having a smaller celebration. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in advance so that you can save oven space on that day. Whatever foods make it to your table next Thursday, I hope some of these recipes can help you have a happy start to the holiday season. For more budget- and beginner-friendly cooking tips and tricks, check outThrifty.01of 12Brown Butter Sweet Potato PieView RecipeSome sweet potato pies call for boiling these root vegetables, but here they’re roasted to concentrate their flavor. This helps the earthiness come through, which we enhance with the nuttiness of browned butter. The overall effect is a sweet potato pie that’s more complex and a little less sweet.02of 12Cranberry ClafoutisView RecipeEric WolfingerOne of Colorado chef Eric Skokan’s favorite desserts is this simple French dish. The sweet, custardy cake is a wonderful foil for tart cranberries.03of 12Coconut-Rum Pumpkin PieView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis take on the classic Thanksgiving pie has the familiar warming spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, plus rum and coconut for a tropical twist.04of 12Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.05of 12Fried Apple Pie RollsView RecipeIn this healthy take on apple pie, egg roll wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.06of 12Pumpkin Cheesecake for TwoView RecipeSingle-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!). You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them tucked away in the fridge in their sturdy ramekins until you’re ready to enjoy them.07of 12Caramelized Spiced PearsView RecipeServe these caramelized pear slices over ice cream, stir into plain yogurt or enjoy as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Brown-skinned Bosc pears hold their shape during cooking, but any variety of pears tastes delicious.08of 12Custard Pecan PieView RecipeWhile every bit as delish as the classic pie, this one has less sugar. Cane syrup, a toasty alternative to corn syrup or molasses, sweetens the pie along with brown sugar. Because the filling for the pie is wet, we brush the crust with egg white and par-bake it to create a barrier to prevent sogginess.09of 12Easy Apple GaletteView RecipeThis simple apple-cinnamon galette is easy to make thanks to premade pie crust—no need to make your own dough! Serve it for Thanksgiving dessert or after any fall meal.10of 12Vegan Pumpkin PieView RecipeThis easy vegan pumpkin pie gets its structure from aquafaba (the leftover water from a can of chickpeas) whipped up into a meringue-like foam. When it’s combined with pumpkin and poured into a gluten-free pecan crust, you would never know beans had anything to do with this vegan pumpkin pie recipe.11of 12Riesling Baked PearsView RecipeHere’s an elegant yet simple twist on the autumn classic. Pears are oven-poached in Riesling wine, which is known for its floral accents and aromas and hints of honey and pear. Serve this dessert with lightly sweetened ricotta cheese. Delicious hot, room temperature or chilled.12of 12Spiced Pumpkin CookiesView RecipeThe deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter–and they lend themselves beautifully to the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. They are also the perfect texture for a sandwich cookie–fill them with a slightly sweetened cream cheese frosting.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. What I love the most is that people get to share a delicious meal with their loved ones and reflect on things they’re grateful for. The holidays are not a time to worry about the foods you’re eating, and there are several ways to enjoy all the foods you love (including dessert!) while aligning with your health goals. These are some of my seasonal favorites that help round out the big day with something sweet. If you like the ever-controversial pumpkin pie, you’ll love our Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie and our Coconut-Rum Pumpkin Pie (which I’m planning to make this year). If that’s not your style, try something more unique like our Cranberry Crumble Bars or Fried Apple Pie Rolls. Recipes like our Pumpkin Cheesecake for Two and Caramelized Spiced Pears can even be scaled down to one or two servings if you’re having a smaller celebration. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in advance so that you can save oven space on that day. Whatever foods make it to your table next Thursday, I hope some of these recipes can help you have a happy start to the holiday season. For more budget- and beginner-friendly cooking tips and tricks, check outThrifty.
01of 12Brown Butter Sweet Potato PieView RecipeSome sweet potato pies call for boiling these root vegetables, but here they’re roasted to concentrate their flavor. This helps the earthiness come through, which we enhance with the nuttiness of browned butter. The overall effect is a sweet potato pie that’s more complex and a little less sweet.02of 12Cranberry ClafoutisView RecipeEric WolfingerOne of Colorado chef Eric Skokan’s favorite desserts is this simple French dish. The sweet, custardy cake is a wonderful foil for tart cranberries.03of 12Coconut-Rum Pumpkin PieView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis take on the classic Thanksgiving pie has the familiar warming spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, plus rum and coconut for a tropical twist.04of 12Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.05of 12Fried Apple Pie RollsView RecipeIn this healthy take on apple pie, egg roll wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.06of 12Pumpkin Cheesecake for TwoView RecipeSingle-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!). You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them tucked away in the fridge in their sturdy ramekins until you’re ready to enjoy them.07of 12Caramelized Spiced PearsView RecipeServe these caramelized pear slices over ice cream, stir into plain yogurt or enjoy as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Brown-skinned Bosc pears hold their shape during cooking, but any variety of pears tastes delicious.08of 12Custard Pecan PieView RecipeWhile every bit as delish as the classic pie, this one has less sugar. Cane syrup, a toasty alternative to corn syrup or molasses, sweetens the pie along with brown sugar. Because the filling for the pie is wet, we brush the crust with egg white and par-bake it to create a barrier to prevent sogginess.09of 12Easy Apple GaletteView RecipeThis simple apple-cinnamon galette is easy to make thanks to premade pie crust—no need to make your own dough! Serve it for Thanksgiving dessert or after any fall meal.10of 12Vegan Pumpkin PieView RecipeThis easy vegan pumpkin pie gets its structure from aquafaba (the leftover water from a can of chickpeas) whipped up into a meringue-like foam. When it’s combined with pumpkin and poured into a gluten-free pecan crust, you would never know beans had anything to do with this vegan pumpkin pie recipe.11of 12Riesling Baked PearsView RecipeHere’s an elegant yet simple twist on the autumn classic. Pears are oven-poached in Riesling wine, which is known for its floral accents and aromas and hints of honey and pear. Serve this dessert with lightly sweetened ricotta cheese. Delicious hot, room temperature or chilled.12of 12Spiced Pumpkin CookiesView RecipeThe deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter–and they lend themselves beautifully to the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. They are also the perfect texture for a sandwich cookie–fill them with a slightly sweetened cream cheese frosting.
01of 12Brown Butter Sweet Potato PieView RecipeSome sweet potato pies call for boiling these root vegetables, but here they’re roasted to concentrate their flavor. This helps the earthiness come through, which we enhance with the nuttiness of browned butter. The overall effect is a sweet potato pie that’s more complex and a little less sweet.
01of 12
Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
View Recipe
Some sweet potato pies call for boiling these root vegetables, but here they’re roasted to concentrate their flavor. This helps the earthiness come through, which we enhance with the nuttiness of browned butter. The overall effect is a sweet potato pie that’s more complex and a little less sweet.
02of 12Cranberry ClafoutisView RecipeEric WolfingerOne of Colorado chef Eric Skokan’s favorite desserts is this simple French dish. The sweet, custardy cake is a wonderful foil for tart cranberries.
02of 12
Cranberry Clafoutis
Eric Wolfinger
One of Colorado chef Eric Skokan’s favorite desserts is this simple French dish. The sweet, custardy cake is a wonderful foil for tart cranberries.
03of 12Coconut-Rum Pumpkin PieView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis take on the classic Thanksgiving pie has the familiar warming spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, plus rum and coconut for a tropical twist.
03of 12
Coconut-Rum Pumpkin Pie
Victor Protasio
This take on the classic Thanksgiving pie has the familiar warming spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, plus rum and coconut for a tropical twist.
04of 12Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.
04of 12
Cranberry Crumble Bars
These cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.
05of 12Fried Apple Pie RollsView RecipeIn this healthy take on apple pie, egg roll wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.
05of 12
Fried Apple Pie Rolls
In this healthy take on apple pie, egg roll wrappers stand in for pie crust, saving you calories and the headache of rolling out dough. We like to use Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape and provide tart balance to the sweet filling. Try dipping these handheld crispy treats in whipped cream.
06of 12Pumpkin Cheesecake for TwoView RecipeSingle-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!). You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them tucked away in the fridge in their sturdy ramekins until you’re ready to enjoy them.
06of 12
Pumpkin Cheesecake for Two
Single-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!). You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them tucked away in the fridge in their sturdy ramekins until you’re ready to enjoy them.
07of 12Caramelized Spiced PearsView RecipeServe these caramelized pear slices over ice cream, stir into plain yogurt or enjoy as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Brown-skinned Bosc pears hold their shape during cooking, but any variety of pears tastes delicious.
07of 12
Caramelized Spiced Pears
Serve these caramelized pear slices over ice cream, stir into plain yogurt or enjoy as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Brown-skinned Bosc pears hold their shape during cooking, but any variety of pears tastes delicious.
08of 12Custard Pecan PieView RecipeWhile every bit as delish as the classic pie, this one has less sugar. Cane syrup, a toasty alternative to corn syrup or molasses, sweetens the pie along with brown sugar. Because the filling for the pie is wet, we brush the crust with egg white and par-bake it to create a barrier to prevent sogginess.
08of 12
Custard Pecan Pie
While every bit as delish as the classic pie, this one has less sugar. Cane syrup, a toasty alternative to corn syrup or molasses, sweetens the pie along with brown sugar. Because the filling for the pie is wet, we brush the crust with egg white and par-bake it to create a barrier to prevent sogginess.
09of 12Easy Apple GaletteView RecipeThis simple apple-cinnamon galette is easy to make thanks to premade pie crust—no need to make your own dough! Serve it for Thanksgiving dessert or after any fall meal.
09of 12
Easy Apple Galette
This simple apple-cinnamon galette is easy to make thanks to premade pie crust—no need to make your own dough! Serve it for Thanksgiving dessert or after any fall meal.
10of 12Vegan Pumpkin PieView RecipeThis easy vegan pumpkin pie gets its structure from aquafaba (the leftover water from a can of chickpeas) whipped up into a meringue-like foam. When it’s combined with pumpkin and poured into a gluten-free pecan crust, you would never know beans had anything to do with this vegan pumpkin pie recipe.
10of 12
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
This easy vegan pumpkin pie gets its structure from aquafaba (the leftover water from a can of chickpeas) whipped up into a meringue-like foam. When it’s combined with pumpkin and poured into a gluten-free pecan crust, you would never know beans had anything to do with this vegan pumpkin pie recipe.
11of 12Riesling Baked PearsView RecipeHere’s an elegant yet simple twist on the autumn classic. Pears are oven-poached in Riesling wine, which is known for its floral accents and aromas and hints of honey and pear. Serve this dessert with lightly sweetened ricotta cheese. Delicious hot, room temperature or chilled.
11of 12
Riesling Baked Pears
Here’s an elegant yet simple twist on the autumn classic. Pears are oven-poached in Riesling wine, which is known for its floral accents and aromas and hints of honey and pear. Serve this dessert with lightly sweetened ricotta cheese. Delicious hot, room temperature or chilled.
12of 12Spiced Pumpkin CookiesView RecipeThe deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter–and they lend themselves beautifully to the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. They are also the perfect texture for a sandwich cookie–fill them with a slightly sweetened cream cheese frosting.
12of 12
Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
The deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter–and they lend themselves beautifully to the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. They are also the perfect texture for a sandwich cookie–fill them with a slightly sweetened cream cheese frosting.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
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