21 Thanksgiving Cake Ideas
Thanksgiving usually calls for pies, but let’s be real for a second—cakes have quietly started taking over the holiday dessert table.
From pumpkin layers to cranberry-studded cheesecakes, the creativity around Thanksgiving cakes is endless.
You don’t have to ditch pie (your grandma might never forgive you), but adding a cake to your spread can turn your dinner into a full-on feast of flavors.
1. Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake
If Thanksgiving had an official mascot, it would be the pumpkin spice layer cake. This cake tastes like fall wrapped in a cozy sweater.
Layers of pumpkin puree-infused sponge meet cinnamon cream cheese frosting. The beauty of this cake is balance—it’s sweet without being cloying and spiced without being overpowering.
I once brought this to a Friendsgiving, and someone whispered, “I like this more than pumpkin pie.” That’s basically the equivalent of winning the Super Bowl of desserts.
2. Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
If you’ve ever had a warm apple cider doughnut on a crisp fall day, you know that feeling of pure happiness. Now imagine that in cake form. Apple cider doughnut cake uses reduced apple cider for an intense, tangy-sweet flavor, baked into a bundt shape, and rolled in cinnamon sugar.
It’s casual enough for coffee but fancy enough to land on your Thanksgiving table. And bonus: no fussy frosting required.
3. Maple Pecan Cake
Think of this as the grown-up sibling of pecan pie. A maple pecan cake layers nutty sponge with maple buttercream and candied pecans. Maple syrup production is huge in the U.S. and Canada—Vermont alone produces nearly 2 million gallons annually—so this cake is practically a tribute to harvest season.
This one is perfect if you want a cake that tastes indulgent but still feels tied to Thanksgiving traditions.
4. Cranberry Orange Cake
Cranberries are the underrated star of Thanksgiving. They cut through the richness of turkey, stuffing, and yes, dessert. A cranberry orange cake combines tart cranberries with zesty citrus notes, layered with orange cream cheese frosting.
The pop of red from cranberries also makes this cake festive and photogenic—because let’s be honest, half of Thanksgiving is about the Instagram-worthy food spread.
5. Sweet Potato Cake
Don’t knock it until you try it. Sweet potato cake is moist, earthy, and naturally sweet, almost like a cousin to carrot cake. Add a marshmallow frosting (yes, like the casserole) and you’ve got a dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
It’s also a clever way to sneak in veggies without anyone noticing. Kids will never suspect they’re eating something healthy-ish.
6. Caramel Apple Cake
Few combos scream fall louder than caramel and apples. This cake usually has apple chunks baked into a spiced sponge, layered with caramel buttercream, and drizzled with salted caramel sauce on top.
One year, I made this cake with a caramel drip that went a little wild. Instead of Pinterest-perfect, it looked like caramel lava. People still devoured it. Pro tip: messy caramel still tastes amazing.
7. Chai Spiced Cake
Thanksgiving dinners are heavy, so a cake with a little spice and lightness is a blessing. Chai spiced cake features cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, paired with a simple vanilla buttercream.
It’s like sipping on a chai latte but in cake form. If your family loves cozy flavors, this is your winner.
8. Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Technically a hybrid, but it earns its spot here. A pecan pie cheesecake layers a buttery graham crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and a gooey pecan pie topping.
Cheesecake consumption in the U.S. has climbed steadily, with over 225 million slices sold annually at restaurants. Pair that with pecan pie and you’ve got a dessert that can win over even the most die-hard pie fans.
9. Pumpkin Roll Cake
This one has theater built in. A pumpkin roll cake is essentially a pumpkin sponge rolled around cream cheese filling. Slice it up, and each piece has that perfect swirl.
It’s portable, easy to serve, and looks like you spent hours making it (even if you didn’t).
10. Brown Butter Pear Cake
Pears don’t get enough Thanksgiving spotlight, which is tragic because they’re peak season in fall. A brown butter pear cake takes caramelized pears, bakes them into a nutty sponge, and often pairs them with almond or hazelnut flavors.
It feels rustic, almost European, like something you’d find in a French countryside bakery.
11. Bourbon Chocolate Cake
For those who like their desserts bold, a bourbon chocolate cake is a powerhouse. Rich chocolate layers with a hint of bourbon bring depth without overwhelming sweetness. Add a silky chocolate ganache on top, and you’ve got a cake that feels downright luxurious.
Just remember to keep this one away from the kids’ table.
12. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake
Yes, that’s cake + cheesecake + cake again. The pumpkin cheesecake cake alternates layers of pumpkin sponge with cheesecake, all wrapped in cream cheese frosting.
It’s not for the faint of heart (or the calorie counter), but it’s worth every forkful. Thanksgiving is a cheat day anyway, right?
13. Fig and Honey Cake
Figs are an underused ingredient for Thanksgiving, but they bring elegance and sweetness. A fig and honey cake often uses almond sponge, layered with whipped mascarpone, fresh figs, and honey drizzle.
It feels less like a heavy American cake and more like something Mediterranean-inspired, which makes it stand out.
14. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Perfect for brunch on Thanksgiving morning or as a second dessert after dinner. A pumpkin coffee cake has a moist pumpkin base with a cinnamon streusel topping.
It’s the cake equivalent of wearing slippers while everyone else is dressed up—comforting, warm, and impossible to resist.
15. Gingerbread Cake
Bring Christmas in early with a gingerbread cake. Molasses and ginger give it depth, while cream cheese frosting balances the spice.
Gingerbread is nostalgic, and introducing it at Thanksgiving sets the stage for the holiday season. Plus, your house will smell incredible while it bakes.
16. Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake
A fun twist on the Italian classic, this cake uses pumpkin mascarpone filling layered with coffee-soaked sponge. Pumpkin tiramisu cake is light yet indulgent, perfect if you want something different but still seasonal.
The best part? You don’t even need to bake if you adapt it as a chilled dessert.
17. Almond Cranberry Cake
Nutty, tart, and lightly sweet, an almond cranberry cake balances texture and flavor beautifully. Almond flour gives the cake tenderness, while cranberries add bursts of flavor.
This one also looks stunning with sugared cranberries on top—a simple decoration that makes you look like a pro baker.
18. Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Glaze
Bundt cakes are the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving. Easy to slice, pretty without effort, and endlessly versatile. A pumpkin bundt cake drizzled with a maple or cream cheese glaze is festive without needing complicated frosting.
It’s also perfect if you’re short on time but still want a dessert that looks impressive.
19. Hazelnut Chocolate Cake
If Nutella had a Thanksgiving cousin, this would be it. A hazelnut chocolate cake is rich, nutty, and pairs beautifully with coffee.
It’s not traditional, but it’s the kind of cake that disappears quickly from the dessert table—people go back for “just a sliver” and end up eating half the cake.
20. Spiced Carrot Cake with Pineapple
Carrot cake works all year round, but a spiced carrot cake with pineapple feels extra festive. The pineapple adds moisture, while cinnamon and nutmeg keep it warm and autumnal.
Top it with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut for a tropical-meets-fall vibe.
21. Pumpkin Mousse Cake
Light, airy, and elegant, a pumpkin mousse cake layers sponge with pumpkin mousse, often topped with whipped cream. It’s a great option if your Thanksgiving menu is already heavy and you want a dessert that doesn’t feel like a brick.
It’s also a crowd-pleaser because it appeals to people who like pumpkin flavor but not overly dense desserts.
Conclusion On 21 Thanksgiving Cake Ideas
Thanksgiving may be synonymous with pie, but cakes are carving out their spot on the holiday table. From the classic pumpkin spice layer cake to the adventurous fig and honey creation, each cake idea brings its own personality, flavor, and story.
The key is to match the cake to your crowd. If your family leans traditional, stick with pumpkin, pecan, or apple-based options. If they’re adventurous, surprise them with fig, chai, or bourbon-infused flavors. And don’t stress over perfection—sometimes the slightly crooked cake with caramel dripping too far down the sides is the one people remember most fondly.
