Honestly, the holidays are usually about the turkey. Or the stuffing. Maybe that one aunt's questionable marshmallow sweet potato casserole. But in 2024, Krispy Kreme decided to pivot hard away from the "gobbler" aesthetics of years past and lean into something much more sophisticated: the pie table.
If you were looking for a donut that looks like a turkey with a pretzel for a tail, you were out of luck this year. Instead, the Krispy Kreme Thanksgiving donuts 2024 collection, which officially dropped on November 7, was all about replicating the specific textures of high-end pies. They called it the "Thanksgiving Pies Doughnut Collection," and it felt less like a kid's snack and more like a legit dessert alternative for people who hate baking.
I saw a lot of folks on social media confused about why the "Gobbler" didn't return. But once you actually taste the difference between a novelty shape and a flavor-focused build, it makes sense.
The Lineup: Four Pies in Donut Form
The brand didn't just throw some brown sprinkles on a glazed ring and call it a day. They went for four distinct pie profiles: Chocolate Silk, Lemon Creme, Blueberry Crisp, and Apple Crumble.
The Chocolate Silk Pie Doughnut was arguably the star for the cocoa-obsessed. It starts with an Original Glazed base—the GOAT of donut foundations—and gets dipped in chocolate icing. But the kicker is the chocolate buttercreme and chocolate curls on top. It’s rich. Like, "I need a glass of milk immediately" rich.
Then you had the Lemon Creme Pie Doughnut. This one was an unglazed shell. If you aren't a fan of the super-sweet glaze, this was your safe haven. It was stuffed with a zesty lemon pie filling, dipped in a yellow icing that actually tasted like lemon (not just sugar), and topped with graham crunch and a dollop of meringue buttercreme. It was surprisingly bright for a November release.
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The Fruit Contenders
- Apple Crumble Doughnut: This was another unglazed shell, but it was packed with apple pie filling. They topped it with a "pie crust" flavored buttercreme—which basically tastes like salty-sweet shortbread—and a dusting of cinnamon cookie crumbs.
- Blueberry Crisp Doughnut: Probably the most underrated of the bunch. It had that deep, dark blueberry filling and a streusel topping that actually stayed somewhat crunchy, which is a miracle in the world of mass-produced donuts.
Why 2024 Was Different (And Better)
In previous years, like 2021, we saw the "Gobbles of Gratitude" collection. Those were cute. They had the little turkey faces and the "Pecan Pie" donuts that were fine, but they felt a bit... well, expected.
The 2024 collection felt like Krispy Kreme was trying to compete with local artisan bakeries. By focusing on the "Pie" aspect, they addressed the biggest complaint people have about holiday donuts: that they're too much "bread" and not enough "holiday flavor."
By using the unglazed shells for three out of the four varieties, they balanced the sweetness. Usually, a filled, glazed donut is an absolute sugar bomb. By ditching the glaze on the Apple, Lemon, and Blueberry versions, the actual fruit and spice flavors had a chance to breathe. It’s a subtle shift, but if you’re a donut nerd, you noticed it.
The Grocery Store "Six-Pack" Trap
Here is something most people missed. If you didn't go to an actual Krispy Kreme shop and instead grabbed a box at your local Kroger or Walmart, you might have felt cheated.
The specialty six-packs delivered to retailers often only contained three of the four flavors. Usually, the Lemon Creme Pie was the one left out in the cold, replaced by extra Original Glazed donuts to fill the space.
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If you wanted the full experience, you really had to go to the source. The "Thanksgiving Pies" collection was available through November 28 (Thanksgiving Day), but the supply chain for the grocery store versions was way more hit-or-miss.
Nutrition vs. Tradition
Look, nobody eats a Krispy Kreme donut for the health benefits. We’re all adults here. But for those tracking the damage, these range from about 310 to 350 calories per donut.
The Lemon Creme and Chocolate Silk were the heaviest hitters on the calorie count, mostly due to that dense buttercreme on top. If you’re trying to be "healthy-ish" (huge air quotes there), the Apple Crumble was the lightest of the group at 310 calories.
It’s interesting to note that they kept these donuts free from tree nuts and peanuts—a big win for families dealing with allergies during the holidays, though they definitely contain wheat, egg, soy, and milk.
How to Get the Most Out of Them Next Time
If these make a return or influence the 2025 drop, there's a trick to eating them.
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Because these have such high fat content in the fillings and the buttercreme, they can get a little "firm" if they've been sitting on a shelf. The secret? Five seconds in the microwave. Not six. Not ten. Five. It softens the dough without turning the cream into a puddle.
Also, the Chocolate Silk Pie donut is essentially a dessert-hacker's dream. Some people were actually slicing these in half and putting a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in the middle. It sounds overkill, but for a Thanksgiving "shortcut" dessert, it actually works.
Making It Happen
If you missed out on the Krispy Kreme Thanksgiving donuts 2024, or if you're already planning for the next holiday cycle, here is the move:
- Download the App: This is where they announce the "Day of the Dozens" and limited drops first.
- Go Early: The pie-inspired donuts use more "toppings" (crumbs, curls, dollops) than standard donuts. Shops often run out of the prep materials for these faster than they run out of the actual dough.
- Check the "Hot Light": Even though these are specialty donuts, they are best when the shop is in full production mode.
The 2024 season proved that Krispy Kreme is moving toward "flavor-first" rather than just "cute-first." It’s a welcome change for anyone who actually wants their donut to taste like the holiday it’s celebrating.
If you’re still craving that sugar fix, the Grinch-themed Christmas collection usually follows immediately after Thanksgiving, typically launching the Friday after the holiday. Keep an eye on the transition period if you want to snag the last of the pie donuts before the green icing takes over the racks.