This Thanksgiving dessert board puts three classic pies on one board: mini pumpkin, pecan and apple pies from Trader Joe's. It also has apple slices, grapes, maple and autumn leaf sugar cookies, caramel for dipping and a big bowl of homemade whipped cream. It takes about 20 minutes to put together and serves 12 people.
My mom has always hosted Thanksgiving (my sister does Christmas Eve and I'm in charge of Christmas Day). She makes the best pies, and there's always pumpkin, pecan, and a third of her choosing. But my parents downsized to a small apartment earlier this year, so we're going to a nice restaurant instead. Life changes, and while I'd love to have my mom's pies on the table, I thought I'd surprise her with a Thanksgiving dessert board for our dessert!
For more sweet board ideas any time of year, see my dessert charcuterie board guide.
Why You'll Love This Thanksgiving Dessert Board
- Everyone gets to choose their favorite flavor, or you can cut the pies into halves or quarters so everyone gets a taste.
- There's no slicing at the table. Leave the pies whole so everyone can ooh and aah over your gorgeous board.
- It's almost all store-bought. The only thing you make is the whipped cream, and that takes about 5 minutes. And a container of Cool Whip is an easy fix if you don't want to make a thing!
- It works for a crowd. One dessert board feeds 12 or more. If you're hosting a large crowd, either make two boards or just set extra pies right on the table.
- There's something for everyone. Not everyone wants an entire dessert after a heavy Thanksgiving meal. Grapes or sliced apples dipped in caramel sauce will still give those guests a sweet bite without needing to find room for pie.
What You'll Need for a Thanksgiving Dessert Board
Everything except the whipped cream ingredients and caramel sauce came from one Trader Joe's trip (and you could buy those there, too, I just had them on hand already). If you made my Trader Joe's charcuterie board, you can pick up these items on the same run.
Trader Joe's Mini Pies
I used 12 mini pies: 4 pumpkin, 4 pecan and 4 apple. Three flavors give the board variety in color and texture, from smooth pumpkin to crunchy pecan to chunky apple. Cutting each pie into quarters will give you 48 bite-size pieces.
Sliced Apples
Fresh apples are a nice addition to a board full of rich desserts, and they're the perfect dipper for the caramel sauce. I used one red Honeycrisp apple for this board, but for Christmas boards, I like a mix of red and green.
Grape Clusters
Use red grapes since this is a fall board, or a mix of red and green. They're just as delicious as apples when dipped into caramel sauce, and they'll help fill in any empty spaces on your board.
Fall Leaf Cookies
Trader Joe's has a fantastic assortment of fall cookies and treats to choose from, so I suggest shopping there if you can. I used their maple leaf cookies and Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies to fill gaps on my Thanksgiving dessert board and bring the fall look together. And did you know there are people who exist that don't care for pie?? I'm certainly not one of them, but I like to offer extra treats just in case.
Caramel and Whipped Cream
Store-bought caramel sauce is for dipping apples and drizzling over pie. Homemade whipped cream is for topping the pies. Homemade is worth the 5 minutes because it tastes so much better than store-bought, but use what you like! (The recipe for homemade whipped cream is included in the recipe card below.)
Board and Serving Pieces
For 12 or more people, use a large board about 18 to 24 inches across. My charcuterie board dimensions guide can help you pick a size. You'll also need two small bowls, a spoon for each bowl and a small knife or pie server.
How to Make a Thanksgiving Dessert Board
If you're new to building boards, my how to make a charcuterie board guide covers the basics. The order below works for any dessert board: bowls first, then the biggest items, then fillers.
Step 1: Make the Whipped Cream
Beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spoon it into a small bowl, cover, and chill it until you're ready to build the board.
Step 2: Slice the Apples
Core and slice the apple, then soak the slices for 5 to 10 minutes in lemon water to help prevent them from browning. Drain them and thoroughly pat them dry, then cover and refrigerate. You can also skip this step and wait to slice the apples until just before serving.
Step 3: Place the Bowls
Set the caramel and whipped cream bowls on the board first. Place them on opposite sides so guests can reach both from anywhere around the board.
Step 4: Add the Pies
Add the mini pies to the board. On a larger board, keep each flavor in its own group so everyone can quickly grab their favorite.
Step 5: Add the Grapes and Apple Slices
Fan the apple slices in curved rows in different areas on the board. Keep at least one row near the caramel bowl, since that's what most people will use for dipping. Add the grape clusters to different sections. (Ignore the lone maple cookie; I was testing something and forgot to remove it.)
Step 6: Fill in with Cookies
Place the maple leaf and Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies into any open spaces. Lean some against each other so the board looks full and layered.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Add small spoons to both bowls. Drizzle a little caramel over the pecan pie if you like, and serve the board immediately.
How Much You Need for 12 People
Plan on 1 pie per person (or 3 to 4 pieces if you choose to cut the pies into quarters), plus apples and cookies. After a big Thanksgiving meal, most guests want a few bites of dessert, not a full slice.
A Thanksgiving grazing table filled with mini desserts would be gorgeous and can easily be tailored to feed any number of people. The pies already feed 12, so either add more of those or make your own mini desserts (these mini pumpkin cheesecakes would be my first choice - they're gorgeous and a perfect pairing for the caramel sauce). For a bigger crowd, add an extra pie or 2 mini-desserts for every extra guest.
For more details on amounts, this article on how to build a dessert board has a free calculator.
Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Dessert Board
- Keep the apples from browning. If you slice the apples just before serving, they'll get eaten quickly enough that you won't need to worry about this. But if your board will be sitting out longer than 15 minutes, I recommend giving your apple slices a quick 5 to 10 minute soak in lemon water (instructions are in the recipe card below).
- Cut the pies cleanly. If you choose to cut your pies, make sure to use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. Pies cut easier and cleaner when they're cold, so you may want to cut them after a stint in the refrigerator.
- Group each pie flavor together. This tip works best for larger grazing tables, but even small boards benefit from grouping flavors together.
- Keep backups in the kitchen. Set aside a few extra pies and apple slices so you can refill the board as it empties.
- Watch the clock. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie and whipped cream shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours. Put the board out when dessert starts, not at the start of the party.
Make-Ahead and Storage
You can make the whipped cream up to 4 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Give it a quick whisk by hand just before serving. If you're cutting the pies, do this a few hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate them. I recommend slicing the apples right before serving. Keep everything arranged on the board so all you have to do is take it out, add the cut apple slices, and serve.
Store any leftover pies and whipped cream covered in the fridge. Pies will keep for 3 to 4 days, and whipped cream is best within a day. Apple slices are best eaten the same day.
Ways to Change It Up
- Add sugared cranberries for a pop of red.
- Add a handful of candied or toasted pecans next to the apple slices.
- Try homemade versions of sweet potato or chocolate mini pies instead of the Trader Joe's mini pies.
- Add a third sweet dip, like chocolate sauce or maple cream.
For more holiday ideas, see my Christmas charcuterie board ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Thanksgiving dessert board ahead of time?
Most of the prep can be done ahead of time. Make the whipped cream up to 4 hours early and, if you're cutting the pies, do this at the same time you make the whipped cream. Build the board, then cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated. When it's time for dessert, slice the apples (allow 5-10 extra minutes if soaking them), add them to the board, and serve!
How do I keep apple slices from turning brown?
Soak the apple slices for 5 to 10 minutes in lemon water (2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to 4 cups cold water), then drain and thoroughly pat them dry. This will prevent them from browning for a few hours.
How long can a dessert board sit out?
The pies and whipped cream shouldn't sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Bring the board out when it's time for dessert, and if you know you'll need more than two hours, replenish it with extra pies from the fridge instead of leaving it out all afternoon.
How many mini pies do I need for 12 people?
Plan on one pie per person, which is enough for 12 people along with the sliced apples and cookies. If you cut the pies into quarters, plan on 3 to 4 pieces per person.
Should I cut the mini pies before serving?
This is entirely up to you! I prefer leaving them whole, but cutting them into quarters or halves makes it easy for guests to try more than one flavor. They're easiest to cut when they're cold.
Can I use canned whipped cream instead?
You can use any kind of whipped cream that you prefer. Homemade holds its shape much better in a bowl and tastes much better (in my opinion). It only takes about 5 minutes with a hand mixer, so it's worth the small amount of extra effort.
But if you're short on time and don't want to bother with it, a can of Reddi-Wip or a tub of Cool Whip will do the trick.
What else can I put on a Thanksgiving dessert board?
Any fall mini dessert will work well. For the extras, try little cookies, sugared cranberries, or candied pecans. You could also add an extra sweet dip.
📖 Recipe
Thanksgiving Dessert Board
An easy Thanksgiving dessert board with mini pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, crisp apple slices, grapes, fall leaf cookies, caramel and homemade whipped cream.
Ingredients
Board
- 12 Trader Joe's mini pies (4 pumpkin, 4 pecan, 4 apple)
- 1 to 2 Honeycrisp apples (or your favorite variety)
- 3-4 small clusters of grapes (preferably red or a mix of red and green)
- 1 package maple leaf cookies
- 1 package Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies
- 1 ½ cups store-bought caramel sauce
Homemade whipped cream
- 1 ½ cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple soak
- 4 cups cold water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Make the whipped cream: Beat the cold cream, powdered sugar and vanilla on medium-high until stiff peaks form, about 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon into a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate.
- Prep the apples*: Stir the lemon juice into the cold water. Core and slice the apples, soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry thoroughly.
- Place the bowls: Set the caramel and whipped cream bowls on opposite sides of the board.
- Add the pies: Arrange the pies in groups by flavor around the bowls.
- Add the apples* and grapes: Fan the apple slices in curved rows near the caramel, and place the grape clusters around the board.
- Fill in with cookies: Add the maple leaf and Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies into any open spaces.
- Serve: If you waited to slice the apples, do this now and add them to the board, then serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 523Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 401mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 4gSugar: 46gProtein: 4g
The nutrition information is HIGHLY estimated as we don't typically provide exact amounts for our charcuterie boards. For more accurate information, we suggest using an online nutrition calculator and entering the exact amounts you use for your particular board.
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