Holiday baking sounds wonderful until the kitchen is already full of Thanksgiving sides, the oven is occupied, and there’s still a mountain of dishes to wash. Sometimes buying dessert makes a lot more sense than making everything from scratch.
Hy-Vee has plenty of options beyond the usual pumpkin pie. From bakery classics and cream cheese-frosted pumpkin bars to ready-made dessert trays, there are some convenient choices for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas gatherings, and everything in between.
1. Hy-Vee Bakery Apple Pie, 10-Inch — $13.99
Apple pie is one of those holiday desserts that almost everyone expects, but making one from scratch takes considerably more work than people remember.
Hy-Vee’s 10-inch version comes with an apple filling seasoned with cinnamon and a glazed pastry crust. At around $13.99 for a 46-ounce pie, it’s a practical option for serving roughly eight generous slices without spending the afternoon peeling apples.
The bakery’s apple pie has also received some encouraging shopper feedback. During an August discussion about supermarket pies in Omaha, one commenter specifically praised Hy-Vee’s version, although opinions about the chain’s other pies were less consistent.
For the best presentation, serve it slightly warm with vanilla ice cream. This is one of the easier shortcuts to recommend, especially if you’re already preparing several other dishes.
2. Hy-Vee Pumpkin Pie, 10-Inch — Price Varies
No Thanksgiving dessert table feels quite complete without pumpkin pie. Hy-Vee carries a 10-inch bakery version and includes pumpkin pie among the dessert selections for its prepared holiday meals.
The real advantage is convenience. You avoid preparing the filling, rolling out pastry, and finding oven space when everything else needs to cook. Hy-Vee’s holiday-meal ordering system lists a full pumpkin pie as a $13.99 add-on, although standalone bakery pricing may differ.
There is one reason to shop carefully. Pumpkin pie reviews haven’t been universally positive. In an October Cedar Rapids discussion, a shopper complained about a half pie purchased from Hy-Vee’s bakery. That’s one experience rather than a verdict on every store, but it’s worth knowing if you’re particularly fussy about pumpkin pie.
If you want a little more variety, Hy-Vee also lists a half-pumpkin, half-pecan 10-inch pie among its holiday-meal choices. It’s an interesting alternative for smaller families who don’t want two whole pies.
3. Hy-Vee French Silk Pie, 10-Inch — Price Varies
Once the pumpkin and apple pies are covered, it’s nice to have something chocolate on the table.
French silk pie is especially handy because preparing a rich chocolate filling, chilling it properly, and finishing it with whipped topping can become an entire afternoon project.
Hy-Vee’s version combines a chocolate filling with a pastry crust, whipped topping, and chocolate shavings. A 10-inch French silk pie is listed as a $13.99 add-on to select holiday meals, though the regular bakery price should be confirmed locally.
This is the dessert to bring out when everyone claims they’re too full for another slice of pie but somehow finds room for chocolate.
Keep it refrigerated until dessert time. Unlike apple pie, this one is meant to be served chilled, and smaller portions usually work well after a big holiday dinner.
4. Hy-Vee Fruit Pizza, 10-Inch — $16.99
Fruit pizza might not sound like a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but it makes a refreshing change from all the dense pies, chocolate cakes, and pumpkin treats.
Hy-Vee builds its 10-inch fruit pizza on a soft sugar-cookie crust, spreads a creamy topping over it, and finishes it with fresh fruit. Depending on the season and store, the topping may include strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and other berries.
At a listed price of $16.99, it also looks like something that took considerably more effort than picking it up from the grocery store.
It’s an especially good option for a holiday brunch or a dessert buffet where you want something colorful alongside richer sweets.
The only catch is freshness. Fruit toppings can release moisture, so this isn’t something I’d buy several days ahead. Pick it up as close to serving time as practical and keep it chilled.
5. Hy-Vee Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Icing, 6-Count — $6.99
For anyone who likes pumpkin desserts but doesn’t particularly enjoy pumpkin pie, these bars offer a nice alternative.
Hy-Vee’s six-count package contains spiced pumpkin cake topped with cream cheese icing. Each bar is already portioned, making it easy to put together a dessert plate without cutting and serving an entire cake.
The $6.99 grocery listing works out to roughly $1.17 per bar, which is reasonable for a ready-made bakery treat. Prices on some prepared-food ordering menus run a little higher.
These are a particularly smart purchase for a smaller Thanksgiving gathering. You can serve a few after dinner and save the rest for coffee the following day.
They are also a better fit for someone who prefers a soft, frosted cake over a custard-style pumpkin filling. The cream cheese icing adds plenty of sweetness, so they don’t need anything extra.
6. The Father’s Table Pumpkin Roll, 18 oz — $6.99
A homemade pumpkin roll looks beautiful when sliced, but getting there can be frustrating. The cake has to be baked, rolled without cracking, filled, and chilled before it’s ready to serve.
The Father’s Table version, sold through Hy-Vee, eliminates all that work.
This 18-ounce roll has a spiced pumpkin cake wrapped around a sweet buttercream filling. That distinction matters because shoppers expecting the tang of a traditional cream cheese filling may find this one sweeter.
At approximately $6.99, it offers a convenient seasonal dessert for a family dinner or small gathering. Slice it into neat rounds, arrange them on a platter, and it’s ready for the table.
It’s also a sensible choice if you want something pumpkin-flavored without buying another pie. Keep it chilled according to the package directions and slice it shortly before serving.
7. Hy-Vee Spritz & Thumbprint Cookie Tray, 48-Count — Price Varies
Holiday cookies are fun to make, but producing several dozen can take an entire afternoon once you factor in mixing, baking, decorating, and cleaning up.
Hy-Vee’s bakery offers a 48-count spritz and thumbprint tray, with 36 spritz cookies and 12 thumbprint cookies.
It’s an easy way to add a traditional-looking cookie assortment to a Christmas dessert table without making multiple batches yourself.
This is one of the better purchases for office parties, cookie exchanges where store-bought contributions are welcome, or family gatherings where guests want something small to enjoy with coffee.
The important thing is to check with your local bakery before relying on it for a particular date. Availability, decoration styles, and pricing can vary, especially as Christmas approaches.
8. Hy-Vee Brownie Cocktail Tray — Around $24.99
If there’s one dessert tray that makes the most sense for a larger gathering, this is a strong contender.
Hy-Vee’s Brownie Cocktail Tray includes four different brownie varieties: cream cheese, German chocolate, fudge, and turtle.
The standard assortment uses three brownies of each variety, cut in half diagonally. That gives you 24 smaller pieces and enough variety to keep the dessert table interesting.
At approximately $24.99 on participating catering menus, the price works out to about $1.04 per small piece before any ordering fees.
This is an especially useful dessert for potlucks. Guests can grab a piece without committing to a full slice of cake, and you don’t need to bring a serving knife or deal with messy frosting.
The smaller portions also make it easier to offer brownies alongside pie or cheesecake without leaving everyone with oversized servings.
For chocolate lovers, it’s one of the more convenient holiday entertaining choices in Hy-Vee’s catering selection.
9. The Father’s Table Variety Cheesecake Tray, 40 oz — $22.99
Cheesecake is a wonderful holiday dessert, but baking one properly takes patience. The filling needs to set, the cake needs time to cool, and even experienced bakers occasionally end up with cracks.
A prepared variety cheesecake solves those problems while giving guests more than one flavor to choose from.
Hy-Vee lists The Father’s Table 40-ounce Variety Cheesecake Tray at approximately $22.99.
The assorted format is particularly useful when you’re entertaining because not everyone wants the same cheesecake flavor. Check the package for the exact varieties, since assortments can differ.
At this price, it’s worth considering instead of buying several individual cheesecake slices. It’s also less work than preparing a homemade cheesecake with multiple toppings.
Keep it refrigerated, follow the package’s serving directions, and give guests smaller portions if you’re offering other desserts.
10. Hy-Vee Mixed White & Chocolate Cupcakes, 6-Count — Around $7.99
Cupcakes don’t have to be complicated to earn a spot on a holiday dessert table.
Hy-Vee’s prepared-food menus include a six-count assortment with three white cupcakes and three chocolate cupcakes, finished with vanilla frosting.
At around $7.99, they’re a straightforward choice for families with kids or anyone who would rather have a cupcake than another slice of pie.
They also solve a common holiday problem: not everyone likes pumpkin, pecans, or rich chocolate desserts. A simple vanilla cupcake is sometimes exactly what a guest wants.
For a more festive look, arrange the cupcakes on a holiday platter or add a few seasonal sprinkles just before serving. It’s a small touch that makes a basic bakery purchase feel more appropriate for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
If you’re feeding a bigger crowd, ask the bakery about its gourmet and mini cupcake trays as well.
Which Hy-Vee Holiday Desserts Are Actually Worth Buying?
You don’t need to buy all 10 to put together a good dessert spread. The smarter approach is choosing a few options that work well together.
For a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, I’d start with the apple pie and add either pumpkin pie or French silk, depending on what your family prefers.
If you’re planning a bigger gathering, the brownie cocktail tray offers variety without requiring much serving or cleanup. The fruit pizza is another good addition, particularly when the rest of the table is heavy on chocolate and cream-based desserts.
For smaller households, the pumpkin bars and pumpkin roll make more sense than buying several full-size pies.
And if Christmas entertaining is already on the calendar, it’s worth asking the bakery about the spritz and thumbprint cookie tray before the busiest shopping days arrive.
A Few Things to Check Before Ordering
Hy-Vee’s bakery assortment isn’t identical at every location. Some desserts are everyday grocery items, while others are prepared through the bakery or catering department.
Check the package size, current price, and pickup availability before placing an order. Also remember that the $13.99 pie add-on prices shown in certain holiday-meal packages are not necessarily the same as regular in-store pie prices.
If you’re serving guests with food allergies, verify the ingredient and allergen information on the actual package.
A little advance planning can save you a lot of work, especially when you’re preparing several other holiday dishes.
The bottom line: There’s nothing wrong with making your family’s favorite dessert from scratch and buying everything else. With the right combination of bakery pies, bars, and party trays, you can put together an inviting holiday dessert table without spending another day in the kitchen.
