Thanksgiving Cake Ideas: Delicious and Festive Cakes to Celebrate the Season

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family to give thanks and enjoy a bountiful meal. While the main course—usually a golden, roasted turkey—may steal the spotlight, the dessert table is often the star attraction.

Also: Thanksgiving Candy Ideas: Sweet Treats for a Memorable Celebration

Cakes are a quintessential part of Thanksgiving desserts, offering the perfect blend of comfort and sweetness to wrap up the meal. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, there are countless Thanksgiving cake ideas to explore.

This year, why not try something new with creative Thanksgiving cakes that are both delicious and beautifully festive? From pumpkin spice cakes to autumn-themed layer cakes, these treats will surely impress your guests and add a delightful finish to your Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving Cake Ideas to Wow Your Guests

1. Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Nothing says fall more than pumpkin spice. This warm, spiced cake, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, is a Thanksgiving classic that will never go out of style.

How to Make:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp of ginger
  • 1 cup of pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a cake pan.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
• In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• For the frosting, beat the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
• Frost the cooled cake and serve!

This moist, spiced cake with its rich cream cheese frosting is the epitome of Thanksgiving indulgence.

2. Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake

Apple and cinnamon are two of the most iconic flavors of the season, making the apple cinnamon bundt cake a perfect Thanksgiving dessert. This cake is moist, flavorful, and full of seasonal charm.

How to Make:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup of applesauce
  • 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
  • 1 apple, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup of walnuts (optional)
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan.
• In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• In another bowl, beat together the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, applesauce, and oil.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then fold in the chopped apple and walnuts (if using).
• Pour the batter into the bundt pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool before flipping it out of the pan.
• Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a cinnamon glaze for extra sweetness.

The apple cinnamon bundt cake offers a wonderful blend of tart apples, spicy cinnamon, and a soft, moist crumb that everyone will love.

3. Pecan Pie Cake

If you love pecan pie but want something a bit different, this pecan pie cake is the perfect fusion of a rich cake and the classic flavors of pecan pie.

How to Make:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups of flour
  • 1 tsp of baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp of baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1/2 cup of butter, softened
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup of corn syrup
  • 1 cup of brown sugar
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan.
• In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar together, then add eggs and mix well.
• Add the sour cream and vanilla, then gradually stir in the dry ingredients until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the pan, sprinkle chopped pecans over the top, and bake for 30–35 minutes.
• In a saucepan, combine the corn syrup, brown sugar, and pecans to make the topping.
• Pour the topping over the cake when it comes out of the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly.

This pecan pie cake gives you the rich, nutty flavor of pecan pie in cake form, topped with a delicious, gooey caramel-like sauce.

4. Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake is a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving dessert table, especially when topped with a spiced cream cheese frosting that enhances the flavors of the cake.

How to Make:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups of sugar
  • 1 cup of vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups of grated carrots
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 4 cups of powdered sugar
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan.
• Mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
• In another bowl, beat the sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth, then add the grated carrots and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
• For the frosting, beat the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth.
• Frost the cooled cake with the spiced cream cheese frosting and serve!

This carrot cake is flavorful and moist, and the cream cheese frosting with a touch of spice is the perfect finishing touch.

5. Thanksgiving Harvest Cake

This Thanksgiving harvest cake combines the essence of fall with layered flavors. Think of it as a celebration of all your favorite Thanksgiving ingredients in cake form, complete with cinnamon, pumpkin, and apple.

How to Make:

• • 1 cup of pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup of apple puree
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  •  2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup of milk
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Mix the pumpkin and apple purees with cinnamon and vanilla.
• In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda.
• Cream the butter and eggs together, add the dry ingredients, and mix until smooth.
• Bake the cake in layers, alternating between the pumpkin and apple batters to create a marbled effect.
• Top with whipped cream or a maple glaze for extra flavor.

This Thanksgiving harvest cake is an innovative way to enjoy the flavors of the season in a beautifully layered, visually stunning cake.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is all about coming together and sharing moments of joy and gratitude with loved ones. The right cake can bring your celebration to the next level, whether it’s the rich flavors of a pumpkin spice cake, the comforting apple cinnamon bundt cake, or the indulgent pecan pie cake.

These Thanksgiving cake ideas not only taste great but also add festive charm to your holiday table, making your feast even more special.