6 Cherry Thanksgiving Desserts Worth Saving Room For
The best Thanksgiving meals always end the same way: everyone leaning back in their chairs, claiming they couldn’t eat another bite… yet still finding room for something sweet.
For us, that grand finale deserves a cherry-filled dessert—one that brings bright, tart flavor and a little extra festivity to the table. From classic pies to lick-your-spoon-clean treats, these cherry Thanksgiving desserts are the perfect way to complete your holiday spread.
Cherry Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas to Share and Savor
There’s a reason why cherry fall treats feel right at home on the Thanksgiving table. Their bright, tart flavor cuts through the richness of the meal, and they taste like pure fall in every bite. It’s no wonder they’re often the first desserts to disappear.
And if you’re looking for treats that delight a crowd, here are some of the best Thanksgiving desserts to share and savor at your holiday table.
1. Best Chocolate Dessert for Thanksgiving: Chocolate Cherry Cake
Chocolate cake is always a win, but add cherries, and it becomes the kind of Thanksgiving dessert that makes people stop mid-conversation. This crowd-favorite treat balances deep cocoa richness with tart-sweet cherry flavor, making each forkful feel like a holiday celebration. It’s decadent enough for the chocolate purists and exciting enough for anyone craving something a little different.
Mamma Mary's Cherry Pie Filling turns a simple chocolate cake into a Thanksgiving dessert worth talking about. Just stir it into the batter, pop it in the oven, and finish with your favorite frosting. It’s an easy, convenient way to bring cherry brightness to the chocolate cake recipes you already know by heart.2. Best Fruit Pie for Thanksgiving: Cherry Berry Pie
No offense to figs, apricots, and other fall fruits, but cherries will always be the Thanksgiving favorite.
A Cherry Berry Pie adds a playful twist to your traditional Thanksgiving dessert, blending bright cherries with sweet, juicy berries for a filling that’s as festive as it is flavorful. It’s the kind of pie that instantly makes the dessert table look more inviting.
What makes this pie even better is how simple it is to make. Cherry Republic’s Montmorency Dried Cherries bring all the tart punch you need—no fresh fruit or pitting needed. Just combine them with your usual pie ingredients, and you’ve got a Thanksgiving dessert everyone will enjoy.
3. Best Thanksgiving Dessert for Kids: Cherry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts for the little ones, simplicity is always a good idea—and thumbprint cookies hit the mark. They’re perfectly sized for small hands, sweet enough for their taste buds, and bite-sized to help keep things mess-free. You can even make them extra fun by using cookie cutters in shapes like stars or hearts, ensuring they’ll be a hit with the kids.
The best part is that these cookies practically make themselves. All you need is a good jam, like our Original Cherry Jam. Just spoon a bit into each thumbprint, pop the tray in the oven, and you’ve got a batch that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did. They’re so simple, you might find yourself baking a second batch to keep for yourself.
4. Best Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dessert: Jam-Filled Oatmeal Bars
Jam-filled oatmeal bars are a Thanksgiving lifesaver. They’re chewy, lightly crisp on top, and perfectly sweet-tart in the center. They slice and stack like a dream, come together in minutes, and taste just as good the next day—making them the ideal make-ahead dessert to have ready the moment guests arrive.
They’re so simple to make, too. Just press your dough into a pan, bake it for a few minutes, then spread a generous layer of cherry-filled jam on top. Crumble the remaining dough over the jam, bake until golden, and let them cool before slicing into bars.
And because this recipe is so flexible, you can swap in any Cherry Republic jam or preserve—from classic cherry to something a little more unexpected, like our Cherry Peach Cobbler Jam, for a unique Thanksgiving dessert.
5. Best Light Thanksgiving Dessert: Cherry Scones
Cherry scones make a lovely, light finish to a Thanksgiving feast. Buttery, tender, and bursting with tart cherry flavor, they’re perfect for guests who want something sweet that doesn’t feel heavy. Enjoy it with a warm cup of tea, and you’ve got a calming Thanksgiving dessert—just what you need after a big, hearty meal.
Scones are simple to make, but when you’re also worrying about your turkey, sides, and everything else, even the easiest Thanksgiving desserts can feel like a lot. Our Cherry Scone Mix is the shortcut you’ll gladly welcome during those moments. Simply mix, pop them in the oven, and get bakery-style scones without sacrificing precious prep time.
6. Best No-Bake Dessert for Thanksgiving: Cherry Cheesecake
If your dessert table is missing a showstopper, this is it. Cheesecake may not be the most “traditional” Thanksgiving dessert, but we’d gladly welcome it at our table.
It’s rich, silky, and instantly makes the whole Thanksgiving meal feel a little more upscale. Add a bright cherry topping, and suddenly everyone at the table says they’re not actually that full.
If you simply don’t have the patience to make a baked cheesecake after tackling the turkey, a no-bake version is the way to go. Simply press the mixture into a pan, let it chill in the fridge until set, then top it with cherry pie filling or Mamma Mary’s Top Secret Cherries when you’re ready to serve. (Bonus points if you spoon it on in front of your guests.)
Ready-to-Serve Cherry Favorites for Your Thanksgiving Dessert Spread
Out of oven space or simply not in the mood to prep? These ready-to-serve cherry delights make it easy to fill your Thanksgiving dessert table.
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Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries - This chocolate Thanksgiving dessert pairs beautifully with leftover wine and makes the perfect snack for long, post-feast conversations with guests. They’re premium, indulgent, and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Imperial Chocolate Covered Cherries - These bright red beauties practically decorate the dessert table themselves. Sweet, tart, and bite-sized, they’re a hit with all ages—and their festive color makes them an instant standout on your dessert table.
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Michigan Cherry Shortbread Cookies - These buttery cookies deliver that tangy-sweet cherry bite that makes guests go, “Wait… did you make these?” They’re handmade by us, but feel free to take all the credit.
Giving Thanks Never Tasted This Good
Thanksgiving is all about savoring the season and filling the table with treats that make people linger a little longer. And there’s no better way to do that than with cherry-filled Thanksgiving desserts that bring brightness, festivity, and Michigan warmth.
Cherry Republic has everything you need to make your Thanksgiving dessert table shine. Our stores and online shop are full of baking essentials, including mixes, jams, and more, that make holiday prep easier. And if you’re feeling inspired to add even more cherry treats to your lineup, our recipe collection is ready with Thanksgiving dessert ideas that guarantee clean plates.