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40 Best Thanksgiving Cakes for Your Dessert Table

They're even prettier than pie!

Headshot of Kara ZaubermanBy Kara Zauberman
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Caitlin Bensel

When planning your Thanksgiving menu, you're bound to have at least one Thanksgiving pie on the table. And there's nothing wrong with that! But if you want to add another fall dessert to your holiday spread, consider making one of these festive Thanksgiving cakes. They're less traditional and they're great for feeding a crowd. Choose from show-stopping layered cakes, comforting cheesecakes, simple sheet cakes, and more.

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: classic apple cake, caramel apple cheesecake, and apple cake in an iron skillet). 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 cakes and less traditional but equally as flavorful ideas like lemon cakes 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!

1

German Chocolate Cake

german chocolate thanksgiving cake recipe
Caitlin Bensel

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.

SHOP CAKE PANS

2

Carrot Cake Cheesecake

carrot cake cheescake thanksgiving recipe
Caitlin Bensel

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.

3

Coca-Cola Cake

coca cola thanksgiving cake recipe
Will Dickey

If you're the kind of person who gets nostalgic on holidays, this retro cake will be the perfect dessert! Plus, it can be made a day in advance to help your prep work go easier.

Get the Coca-Cola Cake recipe.

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4

Dulce de Leche Lava Cakes

dulce de leche thanksgiving cake recipe
Ralph Smith

Serving individual cakes to your guests feels extra special on a holiday. It also means you don't have to share! And you won't want to with these sweet, butterscotchy delights.

Get Ree's Dulce de Leche Lava Cakes recipe.

5

Hummingbird Cake

hummingbird cake with pecans
Will Dickey

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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6

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

mini pumpkin cheesecake with whipped cream
Will Dickey

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.

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7

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

peanut butter cheesecake thanksgiving recipe
Will Dickey

For peanut butter lovers, it's always a good time to celebrate with a slice of something. This cheesecake takes it over to top with decadence thanks to added layers of chocolate, perfect for a holiday feast.

Get the Peanut Butter Cheesecake recipe.

8

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

caramel apple thanksgiving cake recipe
Ralph Smith

The great think about Thanksgiving cupcakes is that they are basically miniature cakes that you don't need to slice. So if you're looking for something seasonally flavored and easy to serve, Ree's got you covered with this recipe!

Get Ree's Caramel Apple Cupcakes recipe.

9

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

sour cream coffee thanksgiving cake recipe
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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10

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

chocolate raspberry thanksgiving cake recipe
Caitlin Bensel

Look at this stunner! It's just as impressive to look at as it is to eat. A decadent bite is what the holidays are all about, so why not indulge in these rich, chocolatey layers? The raspberries make it a little more um, healthy-ish...

Get the Chocolate Raspberry Cake recipe.

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11

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

ooey gooey butter thanksgiving cake recipe
Caitlin Bensel

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.

12

Lemon Cake

lemon thanksgiving cake recipe
Will Dickey

Though lemon cake is often thought of as a spring flavor, peak citrus season is actual in the colder months of the year. Plus, adding a little bit of bright taste to your menu can break up the otherwise richer flavors of the holiday.

Get the Lemon Cake recipe.

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13

Applesauce Cake

thanksgiving cakes applesauce cake with walnuts
Hector Sanchez

You can keep things super easy by dusting this apple cake with powdered sugar, but if you want to take things up a notch, try the brown butter maple buttercream (it is Thanksgiving, after all!).

Get the Applesauce Cake recipe.

14

Pumpkin Spice Cake

thanksgiving cakes pumpkin spice cake bundt cake
Will Dickey

If you're a fan of all things pumpkin, you'll love this impressive and seasonal cake. It's packed with flavor thanks to pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and the most delicious caramel glaze.

Get the Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe.

15

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

thanksgiving cakes caramel apple cheesecake
Will Dickey

Looking for something over-the-top this holiday season? How about a lusciously spiced cheesecake overflowing with caramel apples?

Get the Caramel Apple Cheesecake recipe.

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16

Pumpkin Roll Cake

thanksgiving cakes pumpkin roll cake with slice on plate
Will Dickey

This rolled pumpkin cake isn't just swirled with any old frosting—it has a cinnamon-spiked cream frosting that's out of this world!

Get the Pumpkin Roll Cake recipe.

17

Gingerbread Cake

thanksgiving cakes gingerbread cake with slice on red plate
Will Dickey

The combination of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in this fluffy cake is perfect for any Thanksgiving table. To give it a special holiday flare, garnish with spicy candied ginger.

Get the Gingerbread Cake recipe.

18

Ricotta Cheesecake

ricotta cheesecake with pistachio and chocolate
Will Dickey

After a big holiday feast, sometimes simple is best. Using ricotta in this cheesecake makes it lighter than your typical cheesecake, but still just as creamy and delicious.

Get the Ricotta Cheesecake recipe.

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19

Chocolate Ganache Cake

chocolate ganache cake with peanut butter swirl
Will Dickey

Just because it's Thanksgiving doesn't mean you can't have chocolate! This is one sweet treat that everyone will be grateful for this year.

Get the Chocolate Ganache Cake recipe.

20

Mini Bundt Cakes

mini bundt cakes with three different glazes
Caitlin Bensel

The beautiful designs on these mini bundt cakes will have all your guests ooh-ing and ahh-ing. Plus, you can choose from three different flavors, including maple-whiskey which sounds perfect for Thanksgiving.

Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipe.

SHOP MINI BUNDT PANS

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