35 Best Thanksgiving Cakes for a Sweet End to Your Feast
They're just as tasty and even prettier than pie!
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When you’re putting together your Thanksgiving menu, pie is usually the star of the dessert table—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Still, it’s always worth making room for a cake or two as well. Thanksgiving cakes bring something a little different to the spread and they’re just as good (if not better!) for feeding a crowd. From towering layer cakes to cozy cheesecakes and easy easier than pie sheet cakes, these recipes prove there's more than one way to end the holiday meal on a sweet note.
If you're looking for something loaded with fall flavors, you've come to the right place! Here, you'll find homemade cake recipes featuring pears, cranberries, and apples (Think: caramel apple cheesecake, apple cake in an iron skillet, and a quick mug cake for last-minute company). Of course, when it comes to Thanksgiving, we can't forget about the pumpkin desserts, too. Pumpkin spice fans will go crazy for Ree Drummond's classic pumpkin sheet cake, the pumpkin spice cake with caramel glaze, or the pumpkin roll cake that even novice bakers can make.
We've also included plenty of chocolate desserts and less traditional but equally as flavorful ideas like maple cheesecake and sweet potato cake for those with a serious sweet tooth. And if you still can't decide between cake and pie? You'll be pleased to learn that serving both is completely acceptable. In fact, it's encouraged! While you're at it, bake some Thanksgiving cookies and have an entire dessert table. Your guests will love it!
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
Think of this as a less-sticky and way-easier caramel apple. The cake is soft, spiced just right, and smothered in caramel frosting that makes the whole kitchen smell like fall.
Get the Caramel Apple Sheet Cake recipe.
Maple Cheesecake
Pumpkin pie might get all the attention on Thanksgiving, but this creamy cheesecake drizzled with maple sauce feels just as seasonal. Your guests will be begging for the recipe!
Get Ree's Maple Cheesecake recipe.
Sweet Potato Cake
If classic sweet potato casserole had a cake cousin, this would be it. You get tender, spiced cake on the bottom and a cloud of marshmallow buttercream with crunchy pecans on top. Plus, it will feed everyone at your feast!
Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.
Honey Cake
This golden cake is simple but so comforting. The honey gives it a delicate sweetness that feels right at home on a fall dessert table. A slice with a cup of tea might just be the perfect way to end the holiday meal.
Get the Honey Cake recipe.
Dr Pepper Sheet Cake
Ree gave classic chocolate sheet cake a twist with one of her favorite sodas. The result is extra moist, fudgy, and just plain fun to serve on Thanksgiving when you want something a little different from pie.
Get the Dr Pepper Sheet Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu
Here’s a festive spin on the Italian classic: layers of pumpkin-spice cream, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cinnamon. It’s light, fluffy, and pretty impressive!
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu recipe.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Picture this: Thanksgiving morning, coffee in hand, a warm slice of pumpkin cake with streusel topping and sweet glaze. It’s the perfect way to start the holiday!
Get the Pumpkin Coffee Cake recipe.
Salted Caramel Bundt Cake
Bundt cakes always look impressive without much effort, and this one tastes even better than it looks. It’s rich and buttery with two different caramel glazes, plus just the right pinch of salt.
Get Ree's Salted Caramel Bundt Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Layer Cake
Everyone loves an excuse to gobble up cream cheese frosting. And when you add moist seasonal pumpkin cake (with the perfect amount of warm spice) to the mix, well, that's just a match made in holiday heaven!
Get Ree's Pumpkin Layer Cake recipe.
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
This cake tastes exactly like those cinnamon-sugar doughnuts you grab at the orchard every fall. It’s got that same crunchy coating on the outside with a soft, apple-spiced center inside. Seconds, anyone?
Get the Apple Cider Doughnut Cake recipe.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Why choose between cake and pie when you can combine them? This cheesecake comes with a speculoos cookie crust and is topped with an ooey gooey pecan mixture for pure decadence in every bite.
Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake recipe.
Marble Cake
Since it's hard to guess whether your guests would prefer vanilla or chocolate cake, just give them both! Here, the flavors are swirled together to make the prettiest slice of Bundt cake you ever did see.
Get the Marble Cake recipe.
Irish Apple Cake
A rustic apple cake is a great way to use up extra apples from your trip to the orchid, but it's also a great way to add fruit to your holiday table. It's a win-win, especially with that dreamy custard sauce!
Get the Irish Apple Cake recipe.
Carrot Cake Cheesecake
Sometimes the problem with holidays is choosing just one dessert to eat. This solves that problem by giving you two for one: a luscious cheese cake on top and a moist carrot cake on bottom.
Get the Carrot Cake Cheesecake recipe.
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Making cakes in miniature form is a great idea when you're feeding a crowd (or heading to a holiday potluck). And you can make these pumpkin cheesecakes up to two days in advance. Just leave the whipped cream off until you're ready to serve.
Get the Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes recipe.
Olive Oil Cake
If you're looking for something that's more subtly sweet versus over the top, try this simple cake flecked with orange zest. Best of all, it lasts for days so you can make it in advance and snack on it with leftovers.
Get the Olive Oil Cake recipe.
German Chocolate Cake
If you like to go all in for a big feast, Thanksgiving is the time to go big with dessert. German chocolate cake takes a little more time to make, but it's worth every decadent bite.
Get the German Chocolate Cake recipe.
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Cake for Thanksgiving breakfast is a must! Serve a slice of this with coffee in the morning or as a pick-me-up in the afternoon. Either way, the warm spices and tasty streusel will perk you right up.
Get the Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe.
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
If you're going for the best mix of easy and tasty, go for this St. Louis classic. And when we mix, we really mean it, because it starts with a boxed mix! It whips up in less than 15 minutes, saving you tons of prep time on the busy day.
Get the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake recipe.
Hummingbird Cake
The combination of chopped pecans, ground cinnamon, and sweet vanilla extract make this cake taste as comforting as it looks. Plus, the crushed pineapple will add something unexpected to your holiday dessert spread.
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
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