Portable Thanksgiving Desserts

If you're lucky enough to be invited somewhere for Thanksgiving, chances are you're not cooking the big bird. You're probably tasked with bringing a side dish and/or a dessert. Traveling with desserts can sometimes be tricky (oh the memories of delivering wedding cakes!) especially if it is layered or temperature sensitive (like keeping a cheesecake cold or a molten chocolate cake hot). Cookies and bars are always a safe traveling companion and the Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Pecan Frosting or Raspberry Cinnamon Twist Rugelach or Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars would be perfect, easy additions to the meal. Well in case you're not sure what to make, here are some other portable desserts that would be a big hit at the Thanksgiving table. 

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I really do love magic bars and with the addition of pumpkin they are a nice, festive twist. Plus, anything in a bar can just be brought in the original pan. Let them cool completely before cutting and serving.

I love the idea of individual hand pies and these are an adorable twist. There's no real recipe for this- I just saw the picture on Pinterest and made them, one time. I used store-bought pie dough and cut it into the heart shapes. Then I mixed room temperature cream cheese, some sugar and vanilla (just until it's sweet) and chopped up strawberries. Create little pockets of the cream cheese and strawberries by placing the pie dough on top and pinching the sides together. I sprinkled a little coarse-grain sugar on top and then baked until golden. Transport them flat on a baking sheet or in a box.

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Aren't these apple tarts the cutest? You could cut out thawed puff pastry (which I prefer over pie dough anyways) into a fun shape, or just do a circle. Slice with some crisp apples and sugar, then bake until golden. Once cooled, just lay flat in a baking pan or box for easy transportation. When serving, add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce (or both!). 

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This is basically a regular chocolate chip cookie dough recipe with store-bought caramels, cut up into little cubes, mixed into the dough and a sprinkling of sea salt on top to finish. I made these for work a long time ago and thought they were decent, but my co-works still talk about them & request them. Just store them in a plastic container to keep them from drying out, then bring a pretty plate to arrange them on before serving.

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I mean really. Nutella. Rice Krispy Treats. Should I have to explain why you should make these? First of all, Rice Krispy Treats are super easy to make and always a favorite. And you just can't go wrong with Nutella. Transport these the same way you would the bars- leave to cool in the pan and then cut and serve, or display on a separate platter.


Besides traveling like champs, all of these desserts could either be made the day before, or at least prepped in advance. Do you know what you're making yet for a Hanukah/Thanksgiving dessert?