Thanksgiving dessert ideas

[AstiTheWestie]

Good Morning All!

I am in charge of making dessert for Thanksgiving dinner. I want to veer from the expected. And ideas to knock people's socks off?

[Shoo]

Are you the only one bringing dessert?  If not, veer as much as you want.  If you ARE, however, not bringing pumpkin pie or apple crisp, or some other traditional dessert, others may feel like they're missing something important on Thanksgiving.  I can't imagine Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie.

[AstiTheWestie]

Ah, good point there. I did not even think of that angle. I *am* the only dessert-bringer. Hmmmm. May have to rethink this ...

[MorgnsGrl]

I think these look good, but I haven't made any of them!

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/pumpkin-mousse-pie-lighter-thanksgiving-dessert-recipe.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe/index.html

http://thanksgiving.food.com/recipe/marbled-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-with-a-gingersnap-crust-197570

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/no-bake-chocolate-pumpkin-mousse-pie.html

[rose red]

If your family usually have the traditional pumpkin pie, maybe twist it up with pumpkin cheesecake.  Or some type of pie, cookies, or cake with pumpkin ice cream. 

[O'Dell]

What about little mini-pies with different fillings? Some traditional and some new. No recipes...just tossing the idea out there.

[wx4caster]

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle.

I keep meaning to make this but seem to forget during the planning process.  One of these years.

[AstiTheWestie]

I like the trifle idea. I do have a gorgeous trifle bowl I can use! And I can still have the pumpkin thing going on ...

[Rohanna]

I would bring 2 pies- one pumpkin for tradition, and one completely different. If you don't bring the "tradition" on a holiday without notice- rightly or wrongly some people will automatically resent the "new" item.

[Morrigan]

I'm doing an apple pie, a blueberry pie and mini-strawberry cheesecakes.

Definitely do something traditional, but something a bit different is also a good thing.

[CakeBeret]

Salted Caramel Cheesecake
http://themodernapron.blogspot.com/2011/09/desserts-salted-caramel-cheesecake.html

It's not difficult and is a pretty impressive dessert

I would also do a traditional pumpkin pie in addition.

[Maggie]

I make a two ingredient cake that is really easy.  It's one can of pumpkin puree and one cake mix.  Mix thoroughly and bake the length of time the box says.  Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 Tablespoons apple cider and 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.  Glaze should be thick but pourable.  Add more sugar or cider if needed.  Pour over the cake while still warm.  Reserve some to pour over each slice when served.  OR you can poke holes in it when it is done and pour a n can of Eagle Brand over it and then frost with cool whip.  I boiled the can of Eagle Brand for three hours and made a caramel with it, poured that over it and spread it out then frosted with cool whip.  People that don't even like pumpkin loved it. 

[Kaypeep]

No one in my family likes pumpkin pie.  It never gets eaten.  I'd ask the host if the know of any preferences (yay or nay) on that before bringing it.

I'm also a firm believer in you can't go wrong with chocolate.

[Mikayla]

I make a two ingredient cake that is really easy.  It's one can of pumpkin puree and one cake mix.  Mix thoroughly and bake the length of time the box says.  Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 Tablespoons apple cider and 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.  Glaze should be thick but pourable.  Add more sugar or cider if needed.  Pour over the cake while still warm.  Reserve some to pour over each slice when served.  OR you can poke holes in it when it is done and pour a n can of Eagle Brand over it and then frost with cool whip.  I boiled the can of Eagle Brand for three hours and made a caramel with it, poured that over it and spread it out then frosted with cool whip.  People that don't even like pumpkin loved it.

This sounds awesome!  On the bolded, I assume that's just canned pumpkin?  Also, what kind of cake did you use?   The version with the caramelized Eagle Brand and whipped cream sounds amazing. 

[Maggie]

I make a two ingredient cake that is really easy.  It's one can of pumpkin puree and one cake mix.  Mix thoroughly and bake the length of time the box says.  Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 Tablespoons apple cider and 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.  Glaze should be thick but pourable.  Add more sugar or cider if needed.  Pour over the cake while still warm.  Reserve some to pour over each slice when served.  OR you can poke holes in it when it is done and pour a n can of Eagle Brand over it and then frost with cool whip.  I boiled the can of Eagle Brand for three hours and made a caramel with it, poured that over it and spread it out then frosted with cool whip.  People that don't even like pumpkin loved it.

A butter cake mix is the best.  I have made it with both yellow and butter cake mixes and the butter cake is much much better.  The one with the Eagle Brand caramel also had caramel drizzled on top but I left that part off.  I was afraid it would be just a little to much.  If you need help on boiling the can of Eagle Brand let me know.