15 Irresistible Thanksgiving Cake Recipes to Try This Year

Thanksgiving desserts don’t have to stop at pie. Cakes bring warmth, creativity, and a touch of elegance to your holiday table.

From cozy spiced flavors to rich chocolate and bright citrus, there’s something here for every taste.

These Thanksgiving cake ideas blend traditional autumn ingredients like pumpkin, apple, maple, and pecan with fresh twists that surprise and delight.

When you’re baking for family, friends, or a festive gathering, these cakes celebrate the season’s best flavors and comforting aromas.

Find your favorite, preheat the oven, and let the sweetness of fall fill your kitchen.

Thanksgiving Dessert Flavors

Thanksgiving desserts are more than sweet endings; they’re memories baked into every bite.

The season brings flavors that feel like home: warm pumpkin spice, tart apple, sweet maple, and buttery pecan.

Each one captures the richness of fall and the comfort of gathering together. Soft, spiced cakes, creamy frostings, and caramel drizzles fill the air with familiar scents that invite connection.

If you love something fruity, nutty, or deeply chocolatey, Thanksgiving cakes celebrate gratitude in flavor form, reminding us that dessert isn’t just about indulgence.

It’s about sharing joy, warmth, and tradition with every forkful.

Thanksgiving Cake Ideas

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to look at desserts beyond pie.

These cake ideas bring all the cozy, spiced, and sweet flavors of fall to your table, each one unique, festive, and made to celebrate the season’s warmth and abundance.

1. Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake

Warm pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove create a cozy fall flavor. Soft layers and tangy cream cheese frosting combine for a comforting, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving dessert everyone loves.

Ingredients 2 cups pumpkin purée 2 cups flour 1 ½ cups sugar 1 cup oil 3 eggs 2 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg ¼ tsp clove 1 tsp baking soda Cream cheese frosting

Steps:

• Whisk pumpkin, eggs, sugar, and oil
• Add dry ingredients and mix gently
• Bake layers at 350°F for 25–30 minutes
• Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting

Nutrition per serving: 420 calories, 5g protein, 52g carbs, 20g fat

2. Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Tender crumb, fresh apples, and a cinnamon swirl make this cake perfect for mornings or dessert. It’s lightly sweet, comforting, and pairs beautifully with coffee after Thanksgiving meals.

Ingredients 2 cups diced apples 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1 tbsp cinnamon ½ cup brown sugar 1 tsp baking soda

Steps:

• Cream butter, sugar, and eggs
• Add sour cream and dry ingredients
• Fold in apples
• Layer with cinnamon–brown sugar swirl
• Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes

Nutrition per serving: 360 calories, 4g protein, 48g carbs, 16g fat

3. Maple Walnut Bundt Cake

Pure maple syrup and toasted walnuts create a nutty, fragrant cake with gentle sweetness. Moist, golden, and aromatic, it’s an elegant centerpiece that highlights warm autumn flavors beautifully.

Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 cup maple syrup ½ cup sugar ½ cup butter 3 eggs 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking powder

Steps:

• Beat butter, syrup, and sugar
• Add eggs and vanilla
• Mix in dry ingredients
• Fold in walnuts
• Bake in Bundt pan at 350°F for 45–50 minutes

Nutrition per serving: 390 calories, 6g protein, 45g carbs, 18g fat

4. Cranberry Orange Sheet Cake

Bright orange zest and tart cranberries bring fresh, festive flavor to this simple sheet cake. Moist, colorful, and cheerful, it’s perfect for serving large Thanksgiving gatherings effortlessly.

Ingredients 2 ½ cups flour 1 ½ cups sugar 1 cup milk ½ cup butter 2 eggs 1 tbsp orange zest 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries 2 tsp baking powder

Steps:

• Beat butter, sugar, and eggs
• Add milk, zest, and dry ingredients
• Fold in cranberries
• Spread in a sheet pan and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes

Nutrition per serving: 310 calories, 4g protein, 55g carbs, 9g fat

5. Pecan Pie Layer Cake

Brown sugar cake layers filled with gooey pecan filling deliver the nostalgic flavor of pecan pie. Rich, buttery, and indulgent, it’s an unforgettable twist on a beloved holiday classic.

Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 ½ cups brown sugar 1 cup butter 3 eggs 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup caramel or pecan pie filling 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking soda

Steps:

• Cream butter and brown sugar
• Mix in eggs and vanilla
• Add dry ingredients, then fold in pecans
• Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes
• Fill layers with caramel or pecan filling

Nutrition per serving: 480 calories, 5g protein, 58g carbs, 24g fat

6. Sweet Potato Marshmallow Cake

Velvety sweet potato cake meets toasted marshmallow frosting, creating a cozy, fireside-inspired dessert. Lightly spiced, moist, and comforting, it’s perfect for anyone who loves sweet potato casserole flavors.

Ingredients 1 ½ cups mashed sweet potato 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup oil 2 eggs 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ginger 1 tsp baking powder Marshmallow frosting

Steps:

• Blend sweet potato, eggs, sugar, and oil
• Add dry ingredients
• Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes
• Frost and lightly toast the marshmallow topping

Nutrition per serving: 400 calories, 4g protein, 50g carbs, 17g fat

7. Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

Caramelized apples form a glossy, flavorful topping over moist cinnamon-spiced cake. Sweet, buttery, and aromatic, each slice delivers the warm, nostalgic taste of classic fall caramel apples.

Ingredients 2 apples, sliced ½ cup caramel sauce 1 ½ cups flour ¾ cup sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder

Steps:

• Pour caramel into the cake pan and arrange apples
• Mix the batter and pour it on top
• Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes
• Flip onto a plate while warm

Nutrition per serving: 370 calories, 3g protein, 53g carbs, 15g fat

8. Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Molasses, cinnamon, and ginger create a rich, nostalgic flavor in this dense loaf. Cream cheese frosting adds tangy balance, making it a comforting holiday dessert with warm, familiar spice.

Ingredients 1 ½ cups flour ½ cup molasses ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp baking soda Cream cheese frosting

Steps:

• Cream butter, sugar, and molasses
• Add eggs, then dry ingredients
• Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes
• Cool and frost

Nutrition per serving: 340 calories, 4g protein, 47g carbs, 14g fat

9. Chai Tea Vanilla Cake

Chai-infused milk brings notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves to a moist vanilla cake. Aromatic, cozy, and lightly sweet, it adds a beautifully unexpected twist to Thanksgiving dessert.

Ingredients 1 cup chai milk 2 ¼ cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup butter 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp baking powder

Steps:

• Beat butter and sugar
• Add eggs and vanilla
• Mix in flour and chai milk
• Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes

Nutrition per serving: 300 calories, 5g protein, 44g carbs, 10g fat

10. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

Warm pumpkin spices blend with rich chocolate chips for a moist, balanced cake. Comforting, familiar, and festive, it’s perfect for those who love a cozy fall-inspired dessert.

Ingredients 1 ½ cups pumpkin purée 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup oil 2 eggs 1 ½ cups chocolate chips 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda

Steps:

• Mix wet ingredients
• Add dry ingredients
• Fold in chocolate chips
• Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes

Nutrition per serving: 410 calories, 5g protein, 55g carbs, 18g fat

11. Almond Cranberry Cake

Soft almond cake meets bursts of tart cranberry for a light, elegant holiday dessert. Subtle, nutty sweetness and bright fruitiness create a refreshing balance after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 1 tsp almond extract 1 cup cranberries 1 tsp baking powder

Steps:

• Beat butter, sugar, and eggs
• Add extract and dry ingredients
• Fold in cranberries
• Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes

Nutrition per serving: 320 calories, 5g protein, 48g carbs, 11g fat

12. Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

Grated carrots, pineapple, and cinnamon create incredible moisture and flavor. The spiced cream cheese frosting adds warmth and tang, making this timeless favorite perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Ingredients 2 cups grated carrots 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup oil 2 eggs ½ cup crushed pineapple 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda Spiced cream cheese frosting

Steps:

• Mix wet ingredients and carrots
• Add dry ingredients
• Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes
• Frost when cool

Nutrition per serving: 390 calories, 4g protein, 50g carbs, 16g fat

13. Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cake

Decadent chocolate layers filled with smooth caramel and toasted pecans create an indulgent dessert. Rich cocoa and nutty sweetness combine into a luxurious Thanksgiving showstopper everyone remembers.

Ingredients 1 ¾ cups flour 1 cup cocoa powder 1 ½ cups sugar ¾ cup oil 3 eggs 1 cup pecans 1 cup caramel sauce 1 tsp baking soda

Steps:

• Mix cocoa, flour, and sugar
• Add eggs and oil
• Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes
• Layer with caramel and pecans

Nutrition per serving: 500 calories, 6g protein, 60g carbs, 24g fat

14. Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake

Inspired by fall donuts, this moist cake combines spiced apple batter with a cinnamon-sugar coating. Aromatic, nostalgic, and festive, it captures the essence of crisp autumn days.

Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 cup apple cider 1 cup sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 2 tsp baking powder

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar
• Add eggs, cider, and dry ingredients
• Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes
• Dust with cinnamon sugar

Nutrition per serving: 350 calories, 4g protein, 51g carbs, 12g fat

15. Rum Glazed Apple Rum Cake

Tender apple-rum cake soaked in warm rum glaze creates a moist, aromatic dessert. Sweet, spiced, and perfectly balanced, it’s a festive treat ideal for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Ingredients 2 cups diced apples 1 ½ cups flour 1 cup sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs ¼ cup spiced rum 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder Rum glaze

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar
• Add eggs and rum
• Fold in the dry ingredients and apples
• Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes
• Pour warm rum glaze on top

Nutrition per serving: 380 calories, 3g protein, 50g carbs, 15g fat

Troubleshooting Tips for Your Baking

Even the best recipes can go wrong, but small adjustments make all the difference. Keep your ingredients fresh and your oven accurate, and you’ll bake with confidence every time.

• Prevent dryness: Add a spoonful of yogurt or reduce bake time slightly.

• Fix sinking centers: Avoid overmixing and don’t open the oven door early.

• Balance sweetness: Use brown sugar or a pinch of salt to deepen flavor.

• Improve texture: Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before mixing.

• Preserve freshness: Store cakes covered or wrapped once cooled to lock in moisture.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving cakes are a beautiful way to end a meal filled with gratitude and warmth.

Each flavor tells a small story of the season: pumpkin spice, maple, apple, and cinnamon all blend into something comforting and memorable.

No matter which one you choose, the joy of sharing it matters most. Baking brings people together, and every slice becomes part of the celebration.

As the table fills with laughter and the scent of sweet spices, these cakes remind us that the simplest moments, made with love, are the ones that stay with us the longest.