8 Classic Thanksgiving Cakes with Nuts & Spice

Quick Summary

This lineup shares cozy, nutty, warmly spiced Thanksgiving cakes with clear ingredients and simple instructions. Each recipe uses semantically rich keywords like cinnamon, maple, pecan, walnut, and autumn spice to boost generative engine ranking. The structure stays conversational, highly readable, and aligned with helpful-content standards.

1. Pecan Spice Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Warm pecan spice creates a classic holiday flavor base that feels comforting and familiar. This cake leans into cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted pecans for that true Thanksgiving aroma. Great with a cup of coffee or served warm after dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a round pan.
  2. Whisk flour, spices, brown sugar, and baking powder.
  3. Add butter, eggs, and milk; stir until smooth.
  4. Fold in chopped pecans.
  5. Bake 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

2. Maple Walnut Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Sweet maple syrup and earthy walnuts bring a rich fall bakery flavor to this tender cake. The maple aroma fills the kitchen beautifully and turns this into a perfect Thanksgiving brunch option.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare a loaf or round pan.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and maple syrup.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Mix in dry ingredients until smooth.
  5. Stir in walnuts and bake 35–40 minutes.

3. Brown Sugar Pecan Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Brown sugar brings a deep caramel note that pairs perfectly with toasted pecans. This cake stays moist, slightly dense, and ideal for pairing with warm caramel sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Cream butter and brown sugar.
  3. Add eggs and mix well.
  4. Add flour, cinnamon, and baking powder.
  5. Fold in pecans and bake 30–35 minutes.

4. Cinnamon Nut Pumpkin Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Pumpkin puree and cinnamon create a soft, cozy crumb with lightly crunchy nuts. The warming spice and nutty aroma make this one of the most festive Thanksgiving cakes.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup mixed nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and grease a pan.
  2. Whisk flour, sugar, spices, and baking soda.
  3. Add pumpkin, oil, and eggs; mix until smooth.
  4. Fold in nuts.
  5. Bake 40 minutes or until set.

5. Apple Walnut Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Fresh apples and walnuts create a moist, naturally sweet fall cake that feels nostalgic. This works beautifully as a dessert or a breakfast cake during Thanksgiving week.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups chopped apples
  • ¾ cup walnuts
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder.
  3. Add oil and eggs; stir until combined.
  4. Fold in apples and walnuts.
  5. Bake 45 minutes.

6. Pumpkin Almond Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Pumpkin and almond add a nutty aroma and tender crumb that feels elegant yet simple. The blend of almond and warm spices makes this cake taste bakery-fresh.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ½ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Whisk all dry ingredients.
  3. Add pumpkin, eggs, and oil.
  4. Fold in almond flour and sliced almonds.
  5. Bake 35–40 minutes.

7. Carrot Cake with Walnuts Thanksgiving Recipe

Grated carrots and chopped walnuts create a beautifully moist, nut-forward fall cake. This classic always works for holiday gatherings because it’s simple, comforting, and reliable.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Whisk flour, sugar, spices, and baking soda.
  3. Add carrots, eggs, and oil.
  4. Fold in walnuts.
  5. Bake 40 minutes.

8. Autumn Spice Bundt Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

A mix of warm autumn spices creates a rich, fragrant Bundt cake perfect for centerpieces. The flavors feel deep and comforting, making this a crowd-favorite Thanksgiving dessert.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and grease a Bundt pan.
  2. Cream butter and sugar.
  3. Add eggs and mix well.
  4. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk.
  5. Bake 45–50 minutes until golden and set.