Professionals should handle it.

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While I love cooking and baking the array of foods I crave on Thanksgiving Day, I've come to realize that my bandwidth is limited when it comes to preparing and baking it. The day of, I've figured out how I can make myself more efficient and the things I can prepare ahead of time without drastically reducing quality, but still there doesn't seem to be enough time.

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There are a few desserts I've decided to outsource, since it's something I can trust the professionals with and not have to worry about. I'm likely to get something better than what I could have created at home because there are so many bakeries shipping outstanding desserts now. Here are five outstanding desserts to close out your Thanksgiving dinner for those of you who would rather someone else provide the dessert.

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Salt & Straw Friendsgiving Ice Cream Series

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The thought of a full dessert can be overwhelming for some of us after such a huge meal. They may, however, still want something a little sweet with their evening coffee or nightcap. The artisanal ice cream pints from Salt & Straw are delivered nationwide. Being from Portland, Ore., Salt & Straw doesn’t mind getting a little strange sometimes.

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In addition to offering seasonal flavors like Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin & Gingersnap Pie, this ice cream company pushes the boundaries with these flavors. There is no doubt that the Caramelized Turkey & Cranberry ice cream satisfies the taste buds with its salty, sweet and tart flavors, and the Parker House Rolls with Salted Buttercream will satisfy carbophiles as well.

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PieCaken

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Compared to Turducken, PieCaken is more like Frankenstein's monster of holiday desserts. Instead of chicken stuffed in duck stuffed in turkey, pastry chef Zac Young has created a cinnamon buttercream-encased package of holiday desserts. There is a pecan pie atop a pumpkin pie, followed by a spice cake, followed by a topping of apple pie filling. While it does not seem as big when it arrives, this cake is so decadent it will serve many people. Those among us who can't decide between one dessert or another will love this confection.

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Goode Co. Pecan Pie

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Tex-Mex and barbecue have been served in Houston for four decades by the Goode family. The appeal isn't about size, it's about quality. If you're the guest who is tasked with bringing dessert to the Thanksgiving soiree, you'll arrive in style in style with this tasty Texas pecan pie with a crumbly crust that arrives in a handsome wood box.

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Milk Bar Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

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It's time for a new Thanksgiving lineup of delectable baked goods from the queen of whimsical desserts, Christina Tosi. The Milk Bar team created a pumpkin cake as a show stopper last year, and they're leaning toward a different fall flavor in 2021. In this Apple Cider Doughnut Cake, we've used mulling spices in the frosting, donut sugar topping, and apple cider jam to bring the flavors of fall together. A pumpkin version of the bakery's famed butter Milk Bar Pie is also available.

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Harry & David Deep-Dish Pumpkin Pie

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In my opinion, Thanksgiving Day is all about classic dishes. I think that’s what the day is all about in the end. I always look forward to eating pumpkin pie and breakfast the following Friday, of course, since it is the only time of year I do. They don't skimp when it comes to the pumpkin over at Harry & David, with this deep-dish pumpkin pie, filled with a delicious spiced gourd custard in a flaky crust that is then topped with cinnamon and whipped cream.