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Here’s what we love about Friendsgiving: It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and share delicious food, but in a less formal way than a traditional Thanksgiving meal. It’s also a great way to celebrate the holiday for those who live far away from family. The more the merrier!
Usually everyone brings a potluck-style dish to share so that the burden of cooking doesn’t fall on one person. What food is served at Friendsgiving? It depends on the gathering! Menus range from a classic turkey meal with all the trimmings to fun and unexpected apps.
One thing’s for certain: no Friendsgiving food gathering is complete without dessert! What is the most popular Thanksgiving dessert? It goes without saying that pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and apple pie are at the top of the list. And while we love pie as much as the next person, it can be fun to switch things up with creative, fall-inspired Friendsgiving dessert ideas.
If you’re wondering what to bring to Friendsgiving this year, read on for Thanksgiving dessert ideas that will sweeten any gathering. Be sure to add them to your Friendsgiving checklist!
Let’s start out by sharing one of our favorite Friendsgiving dessert ideas: a charcuterie board filled with Thanksgiving treats!
Charcuterie boards are all the rage these days, and for good reason! They make a statement on the table, and everyone can grab what they like on their own for the perfect versatile Friendsgiving food option. We also love the fact that charcuterie boards are not just for meat and cheese anymore, with dessert boards becoming more and more popular.
Here’s how to do Friendsgiving dessert charcuterie boards that will wow your guests and feature a little something for everyone. Let’s start with ideas for Thanksgiving snacks to include:
Mini pumpkin pies, pecan pie bites, mini apple tarts, cinnamon rolls, apple cinnamon muffins, and shortbread cookies shaped like leaves or pumpkins.
Assorted truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels, dark chocolate squares, caramel squares, and fudge. There’s even pumpkin-flavored fudge these days! (Looks like the pumpkin spice trend shows no signs of slowing down)
Grapes always work well on charcuterie boards since they hold up well at room temperature, but you can also get creative with fresh figs, dates, dried apricots, sugared cranberries, and pomegranate seeds.
We also like to add nuts, caramel popcorn, and fun, unexpected treats like Welch’s® Fruit Snacks. Made with real fruit, they’re a crowd-pleasing, allergen-friendly choice for every guest.
Now it’s time for your charcuterie board setup. Use a large wooden board or tray and arrange your goodies starting with the bigger items first. Then add smaller items like chocolates, nuts, and fruit snacks to fill in the gaps around the larger pieces. Try to mix up the colors and textures of your fall snacks to create visual variety and distribute items evenly so similar treats aren’t all clumped together. Add garnishes like herbs or cinnamon sticks for a festive touch!
Next, let’s check out ideas for what to bake for Thanksgiving with options that pack in fall flavors:
What is Friendsgiving without a taste of pumpkin spice? For the PSL fans in your life, try Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake. It combines the flavors of pumpkin, coffee, and warm spices in a layered cake that’s moist and flavorful. Top it with a cream cheese frosting that has a hint of espresso for that authentic latte taste..
Wondering what to bake for Thanksgiving for the chocoholics at your table? Pecan brownies are decadent Thanksgiving treats that combine the fudgy goodness of brownies with the fall vibes of crunchy pecans. Serve them on their own or a la mode style, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Bonus points if they’re still warm!
When looking for apple dessert recipes, we like to think beyond apple pie and try salted caramel apple tartlets. These mini tarts have a flaky crust filled with spiced apples and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. They’re great for serving a crowd because they’re easy to eat without a fork, and they offer all the flavors of a traditional apple pie in a small, delicious package.
With tart cranberries and citrusy orange flavor, cranberry bundt cakes are a great balance to a rich main meal. Drizzle a simple orange glaze over the top for a festive finish. This cake not only tastes amazing but also adds a pop of color, making it a great centerpiece dessert for your Friendsgiving spread.
If you’re a fan of pumpkin pie but want something a little different, try making pumpkin cheesecake bars. These bars combine the creamy texture of cheesecake with the warm spices of pumpkin pie. They have a buttery graham cracker crust and a swirl of rich pumpkin flavor, making them a perfect dessert for the fall season. Best of all, they’re easy to make in advance, and you can serve them in individual portions, making it easy for everyone to grab a piece.
Apple crisp is one of those classic apple dessert recipes that never fails to impress. The combination of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a crispy oat topping is pure comfort food. To take it up a notch, serve it warm with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream or vanilla ice cream on top. The contrast of the warm crisp with the cold ice cream is heavenly. It’s also easy to make in a large dish, perfect for sharing with friends.
Looking for easy Friendsgiving dessert ideas for when you’re short on time but still want to impress? No-bake pumpkin pie trifles are a great option. To make these Thanksgiving treats, layer pumpkin spice Greek yogurt with whipped cream and crumbled ginger snaps or graham crackers in individual glass jars. Top your with Welch’s® Fruit ‘n Yogurt™ Snacks for an extra dose of yogurt-y goodness!
We hope we inspired you with what to bring to Friendsgiving this year. Be sure to celebrate Friendsgiving in style by adding Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to your dessert spread for a fun and fruity twist. Happy Thanksgiving!
