Thanksgiving is a time for gathering your loved ones for a shared meal … but you can’t forget your close friends who feel like family. “Friendsgiving” has been around for a few years now, and it still has a very special place in our hearts.
But wait … what is Friendsgiving?
It’s your new favorite tradition! Friendsgiving is an annual fall gathering with your best buds the weekend before your family’s Thanksgiving festivities. It’s casual, fun and exactly the celebration you need to give thanks to your nearest and dearest.
When it comes to the menu, anything goes! You can try a practice run for the big dinner or riff on traditional dishes. Think turkey, cranberry and brie sandwiches or a mashed potato bar with all the toppings. Then there’s dessert! Make your bestie bash even sweeter with one of our favorite Friendsgiving dessert ideas — all nontraditional fall treats just like your unique friendships!
Our Favorite Desserts to Bring to Friendsgiving
1. Peanutty Cranberry Bars
Cranberries add a pop of color to your Thanksgiving table — and they can make an appearance in the dessert course, too! Try the salty, sweet and tart combo of these unique crumb bars, made “peanutty” with REESE’S Peanut Butter Chips. Slice them into squares and share the fun!
2. Mini Chocolate Pies
Personal pies? Perfect! Plus, they’re quick and easy to put together using vanilla cook-and-serve pudding mix and melted HERSHEY’S Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. Scoop your chocolate pudding into sweet mini graham cracker crusts and top with whipped cream, plus more mini chocolate chips, of course. Simple to make and simple to clean up? What a great friend you are!
3. Fresh Apple and Toffee Tart
Apple pie is delicious, but an apple and toffee tart is impressive and takes less than an hour from start to finish. Crisp autumn apples and buttery toffee bits are nestled in a crispy spiraled crust for the perfect way to celebrate the season’s favorite fruit with your favorite people. Plus, this recipe yields two tarts, so you can savor one at home, too! Tip: Make it even easier with a store-bought pie crust.
4. HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Truffle Brownie Cheesecake
Cheesecake might not be the first dessert you think of at Thanksgiving, but this is Friendsgiving, and we’re doing things differently! Pull out all the stops with this mouthwatering truffle brownie cheesecake. HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips give a velvety richness to the chocolate cheesecake batter. And instead of a classic crust, this dessert has a brownie base. Yeah, you read that right! Your friends love you, but this is a treat that’ll surely secure your seat for next year!
5. Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls
Having a friendsgiving brunch? Bring all the warm and cozy fall vibes with these rich Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls, drizzled with HERSHEY'S Cream Cheese Chip frosting. Cranberry is the perfect fruity accent for this time of year and blends beautifully with the tang of the cream cheese chips, inside and out. Pair with a cranberry mimosa for the perfect late fall treat.
