Is it just us, or do you also think Thanksgiving dessert has gotten a little… predictable? Don’t get us wrong — pie is comforting, cozy, all that good stuff. But sometimes cozy can use a cool little twist.
Enter: Thanksgiving dessert ideas with Klondike.
If you thought Klondike bars were just for poolside snacking, you're about to change your mind. These legendary squares of goodness are the ultimate shapeshifters, just as at home under a summer sun as they are on your Thanksgiving table next to the stuffing. Get ready for Thanksgiving dessert recipes that will wow the whole family (including grandma).
3 Frozen Twists on Thanksgiving Dessert Classics
Ready to impress even the most die-hard Thanksgiving purists? These frozen dessert ideas pack more punch than a post-turkey nap.
Ingredients:
- 3–4 Klondike Original bars (or try Klondike Heath bars for that toffee and crunch goodness)
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- Cold milk, as called for on pudding package
- 1 cup whipped topping, plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup crushed gingersnap cookies or graham crackers
Serves: 6–8
Prep time: 20 minutes + 2 hours chill
Directions:
- Make the instant vanilla pudding according to package instructions. Once thickened, split the pudding into two equal portions.
- Fold the pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice into one of the pudding portions. Set aside.
- Chop your Klondike bars into bite-sized pieces.
- In clear glasses or bowls, layer as follows:
- Crushed cookies or graham crackers on the bottom
- Plain vanilla pudding
- Another layer of crushed cookies or crackers
- Chopped Klondike bars
- Pumpkin-spiced pudding
- Finish with a swirl of whipped topping and a sprinkle of crushed cookies on top. Chill for at least 2 hours to let the layers set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 2 Klondike Original Vanilla bars, chopped
- 1–2 scoops of plain vanilla ice cream per serving (we like Breyers Natural Vanilla)
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Serves: 2
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45–50 minutes
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash the sweet potatoes and poke them a few times with a fork. For extra caramelized sweetness, rub the skins lightly with a bit of oil.
- Place the sweet potatoes on a baking tray and roast for 45–50 minutes. You want them very soft and tender, with the natural sugars starting to caramelize. Test with a fork to make sure the flesh is creamy and cooked through.
- Once roasted, let the sweet potatoes cool just a few minutes. They should be warm but not piping hot.
- Slice each one lengthwise to create halves for each serving.
- Scoop vanilla ice cream into the center of each sweet potato half, then sprinkle the chopped Klondike chunks on top.
- Finish with a fresh mint leaf for a pop of color and a subtle fresh note.
- Serve immediately so every bite delivers that amazing warm-cold contrast.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 7 oz whole berry cranberry sauce (about half a standard 14-oz can)
- ½ cup whipped cream or whipped topping
- Klondike Cookie Sandwiches, for dipping
- Optional: apple slices, pear slices, or fresh berries, for dipping
Serves: 8–10
Prep time: 25–30 minutes (including chill time)
Directions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, cranberry sauce, and whipped cream.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Cover and chill the dip in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the texture firm up.
- Serve the dip with Klondike Cookie Sandwiches and fresh fruit.
Get more frozen dessert inspiration: 6 Lip-smacking Recipes with Klondike
Tips to Nail Your Frozen Desserts for Thanksgiving
Got a few skeptics at the table who think frozen treats don’t belong at Thanksgiving? Perfect. That just means you get to convert them into fans. Follow these pro tips to make your frozen desserts so good, nobody will even ask what happened to the pie.
Prep Like a Pro
Do yourself a favor and get ahead where you can. Most of these recipes have steps you can totally knock out in advance like roasting sweet potatoes, mixing pudding, or whipping up dips. Just keep Klondike bars in the freezer until the last second and assemble right before serving. That way you get the best textures, flavors, and a whole lot less stress.
Storage & Thawing Tricks
Stash your frozen masterpieces in the back of the freezer, where it’s coldest (and safe from midnight snackers). Let them sit out for about 5–10 minutes before serving so nobody breaks a fork.
Serve It with Style
Serve your frozen creations on chilled plates to slow the melt and keep everything looking sharp. Then go wild with the finishing touches: cookie crumbles, edible glitter, fresh mint, or even pumpkin-shaped candies. The more playful, the bigger the wow.
Frozen, Festive, and Totally Worth It
This year, skip the pie and let Klondike crash your Thanksgiving dessert table. Whether you’re layering our bars into a trifle, stuffing them into sweet potatoes, or pairing cookie sandwiches with cranberry dip, Klondike bars bring some serious fun and flavor to the holidays.
FAQs
Try a pumpkin trifle with chunks of Klondike bars: it's layered, creamy, and super easy to make. You can prep it ahead, pop it in the fridge, and serve a festive, frozen twist on a classic that everyone will love.
Keep them frozen until right before dessert time for maximum crunch. You can wow guests by trying one of the festive recipes above or keep things easy (and just as impressive) by serving Klondike bars as-is on a dessert board with fruits, cookies, and fun dips.
Yes, just a little strategy goes a long way. You can prep most parts of these recipes in advance (like mixing pudding, roasting sweet potatoes, or crushing cookies). Keep your Klondike bars in the freezer, then assemble everything shortly before serving. That way, you get fresh textures and flavors without the last-minute stress.
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