Agonizing over Thanksgiving Day Dessert

By Nora

Every year that I host Thanksgiving, I have the same dilemma. Every year I want to do something exciting and new for dessert, yet I am torn between wanting to experiment and going with the traditional Thanksgiving dessert items (apple and pumpkin pie) that I know everyone expects and will eat. One year I tried a pumpkin cheescake, which turned out great, but which wasn't a big hit with my family because it defied tradition.  So I had three-quarters of a cheesecake left which I ended up throwing out (and I ABHOR wasting food). While I love apple and pumpkin pie, and can do variations on them---for example, caramel apple pie with crumb topping---I just feel like I want to get a little more creative this year but not buck tradition altogether. 

Here's a few recipes I found on the web that I am considering, which are different than what I usually make and give a little twist on the traditional pies.

Mini Apple Pies from Mama's Gotta Bake 

I love this idea because it stays within tradition but mixes up the baking process and the serving style. And I doubt anyone at my table will be expecting their own pies!

Pumpkin Roll from My Baking Addiction

I honestly think it's important (if only to me) to have something pumpkin on the Thanksgiving Day dessert table. And instead of pumpkin pie, a pumpkin roll has all the deliciousness of a frosted cake but in a slightly simpler package. 

Sara Moulton's Pear and Cranberry Crostada

I really really love how this dessert encompasses two quintessential fall flavors. And while a crostada IS pie-like, it's diffferent enough to be new for my thankgiving table. And i'm already drooling imagining this served warm with a big scoop of french vanilla ice cream on top.

Or, I could just say screw tradition and make this absolutely ridiculously amazing Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Layer Cake from Annie's Eats that A'Dell reviewed a year ago. I have dreams about this cake, seriously. 

{Photo courtesy of A'Dell, baker extraordinare}

Comments

[J]

It all looks delicious! But I vote PUMPKIN ROLL! :) Yummmmm

[Rosalind Benavides]

I am totally agree with your opinion.this blog post is very encouraging to people who want to know these topics.

[Miranda]

I made a pumpkin roll one year and now it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. No, seriously, my family wont let me in unless I show them I've made TWO pumpkin rolls (with and without nuts)for dessert.

(I'm also going to make a no bake peanut butter pie to bring this year. Because I want it.)

[Lydia]

I bucked the traditional pumpkin pie last year and made a Chiffon Pumpkin pie. I wasn't sure how it would go over with my stuck-on-tradition in laws, but it turned out they LOVED it. (I used the recipe from Simply Recipes)

I can't belive people left your pumpkin cheesecake! That is dessert treason.

[Harriett Champagne]

I just feel like I want to get a little more creative this year but not buck tradition altogether.

[Digger derricks]

I always spent my half an hour to read this website's content all the time along with a mug of coffee.

http://www.scipy.org/Ronetvci2