10+ Homemade Thanksgiving Cake Recipes Everyone Will Love

Thanksgiving desserts are always a little more fun when the table is filled with cozy homemade flavors. Pumpkin, apples, maple, pecans, cranberries, warm spices, and brown butter all have a place at the holiday table, and cake is a delicious way to bring those flavors together.

These Thanksgiving cake recipes give you plenty of options beyond the usual pie. Some are simple Bundt cakes, while others are layered cakes with creamy frosting, caramel, or crunchy pecans. They’re great for Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving, fall gatherings, or a relaxed dessert with coffee the next morning.

These homemade Thanksgiving cakes cover the flavors people often associate with fall baking: pumpkin spice, apple cider, maple, pecan, cranberry orange, sweet potato, caramel apple, brown butter, and chai. Each recipe uses familiar ingredients and straightforward baking steps, so you can choose a simple cake for a family dinner or something a little more special for the Thanksgiving dessert table.

1. Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cake is a moist, warmly spiced cake made with pumpkin puree and topped with creamy vanilla frosting. The pumpkin keeps the cake tender while cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger give it that unmistakable fall flavor.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ½ cup buttermilk

For the Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
5. Stir in the pumpkin puree.
6. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
7. Divide the batter between the prepared pans.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool the cakes completely.
10. Beat the frosting ingredients until fluffy.
11. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread frosting over it.
12. Add the second layer and frost the top and sides.

2. Thanksgiving Pecan Pie Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Pecan Pie Cake combines tender vanilla cake with buttery brown sugar and toasted pecan flavors inspired by classic pecan pie. It gives you the flavors of a holiday pie in a soft, sliceable cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Pecan Filling

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup chopped pecans
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
3. Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
5. Mix in the dry ingredients alternately with the milk.
6. Fold in the chopped pecans.
7. Divide the batter between the pans.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
9. Cool completely before assembling.
10. For the filling, melt the butter and brown sugar together in a small saucepan.
11. Stir in the cream, vanilla, pecans, and salt.
12. Let the mixture cool until slightly thickened.
13. Place one cake layer on a plate and spread the pecan filling over it.
14. Add the second layer and finish with additional pecans or filling on top.

3. Thanksgiving Apple Cider Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Apple Cider Cake is a tender cinnamon-spiced cake made with apple cider and finished with a sweet cider glaze. It has the cozy flavor of an apple orchard packed into an easy homemade cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup apple cider
• ½ cup finely chopped apple

For the Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons apple cider
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch Bundt pan.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time and mix in the vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the apple cider.
6. Fold in the chopped apple.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, checking with a toothpick.
9. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
10. Mix the glaze ingredients until smooth.
11. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.

4. Thanksgiving Maple Pecan Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Maple Pecan Cake is a soft maple-flavored cake layered with creamy maple frosting and crunchy pecans. Maple syrup gives the cake a warm sweetness that pairs beautifully with toasted nuts.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk
• ¾ cup chopped pecans

For the Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
4. Add the maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients and milk.
6. Fold in the pecans.
7. Divide the batter between the pans.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
9. Cool completely.
10. Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
11. Frost between the cake layers and around the outside.
12. Sprinkle toasted pecans over the top.

5. Thanksgiving Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Cranberry Orange Cake combines bright orange flavor with tart cranberries in a soft, buttery cake. The citrus keeps this holiday cake tasting fresh while the cranberries add beautiful color and a pleasant tartness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

For the Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time.
5. Mix in the orange zest and vanilla.
6. Add the flour mixture alternately with orange juice.
7. Gently fold in the cranberries.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
9. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
10. Cool completely.
11. Mix the glaze ingredients together.
12. Drizzle the orange glaze over the cake.

6. Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Cake is a moist, warmly spiced dessert made with mashed sweet potatoes, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It is an easy way to bring one of Thanksgiving’s favorite side-dish flavors into dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato
• ½ cup milk

For the Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla.
5. Mix in the mashed sweet potato.
6. Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
9. Cool completely.
10. Beat the frosting ingredients until fluffy.
11. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.

7. Thanksgiving Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Caramel Apple Cake is a soft apple cake topped with buttery caramel and warm cinnamon flavor. Sweet apples and caramel make this one especially fitting for a cozy fall dessert table.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 ½ cups peeled and chopped apples

For the Caramel

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together.
3. Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk.
6. Fold in the chopped apples.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
9. Cool the cake completely.
10. Melt the brown sugar and butter together for the caramel.
11. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.
12. Let the caramel cool slightly.
13. Drizzle it over the cake before serving.

8. Thanksgiving Brown Butter Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Brown Butter Cake is a tender vanilla cake made with browned butter for a rich, nutty flavor. The browned butter adds plenty of character without requiring a complicated recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk

For the Frosting

• ½ cup browned butter, cooled
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Continue cooking until the butter becomes golden and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and cool.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8-inch cake pans.
4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
5. Beat the cooled brown butter with sugar until creamy.
6. Add the eggs one at a time and mix in vanilla.
7. Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk.
8. Divide the batter between the pans.
9. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
10. Cool completely.
11. Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth.
12. Frost the cake and decorate with chopped pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon.

9. Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake is a moist pumpkin cake baked in a classic Bundt pan and filled with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The Bundt shape makes this cake look special with very little decorating work.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
• ½ cup milk

For the Glaze

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a Bundt pan.
2. Whisk together all the dry ingredients and spices.
3. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
5. Mix in the pumpkin puree.
6. Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk.
7. Pour the batter into the Bundt pan.
8. Bake for 45–55 minutes, checking with a toothpick.
9. Cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before turning it onto a rack.
10. Mix the glaze ingredients.
11. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.

10. Thanksgiving Chai Spice Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving Chai Spice Cake is a soft, warmly spiced cake flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. The combination creates a cozy dessert that feels right at home alongside other Thanksgiving favorites.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup buttermilk

For the Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• Pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
3. Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time and mix in the vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk.
6. Divide the batter between the prepared pans.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
8. Cool the cakes completely.
9. Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
10. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread with frosting.
11. Add the second layer and frost the top and sides.
12. Finish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.

Easy Thanksgiving Cake Baking Tips

A few simple tricks can make these holiday cakes easier to manage, especially when you’re already preparing a big Thanksgiving meal.

Measure Flour Correctly

Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level the top instead of scooping directly from the bag. Too much flour can make a cake heavy and dry.

Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature

Room-temperature butter and eggs blend more easily and help create a smoother cake batter.

Don’t Overmix

Mix cake batter only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can leave the finished cake dense instead of soft.

Cool Cakes Before Decorating

Warm cake and frosting don’t make a good combination. Give the cake plenty of time to cool before adding frosting, glaze, or caramel.

Make Some Cakes Ahead

Bundt cakes, loaf-style cakes, and unfrosted cake layers can often be prepared ahead of the big meal. Store them properly and decorate them closer to serving time.

How to Store Thanksgiving Cakes

Most unfrosted homemade cakes can stay covered at room temperature for a day or two, while cakes with buttercream, cream-based fillings, or other perishable toppings are better refrigerated.

Keep leftover cake in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out. Bring refrigerated cake closer to room temperature before serving when appropriate, since many butter-based cakes taste softer and more flavorful once they’re no longer cold.

Freezing is another useful option for plain cake layers. Wrap completely cooled layers well before freezing and thaw them before frosting.

Why These Thanksgiving Cake Recipes Are Worth Making

These Thanksgiving cake recipes bring together classic holiday flavors in a variety of homemade desserts, from Thanksgiving pumpkin cake and pecan pie cake to apple cider cake, maple pecan cake, cranberry orange cake, sweet potato cake, caramel apple cake, brown butter cake, pumpkin spice Bundt cake, and chai spice cake. The collection gives you moist fall cakes, Thanksgiving Bundt cakes, spiced cakes, fruit cakes, nutty desserts, and easy holiday cakes that work for Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving, or any autumn gathering.

Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving baking doesn’t have to mean making the same dessert every year. A cranberry orange cake can bring something bright to the table, while pecan pie cake and caramel apple cake deliver those rich fall flavors everyone expects. Pumpkin, maple, sweet potato, brown butter, and chai give you even more ways to make the dessert spread feel special.

Pick one cake that matches your Thanksgiving menu, or make a smaller Bundt cake alongside your favorite pie. Either way, a homemade cake gives the holiday table that warm, cozy finish everyone tends to linger around.

FAQs

What cake is best for Thanksgiving?

Pumpkin, pecan, apple, maple, cranberry, sweet potato, and warm spice cakes are all fitting choices for Thanksgiving. The best option depends on the flavors you want alongside the rest of your holiday dessert table.

Can Thanksgiving cakes be made ahead of time?

Yes. Many cakes can be baked a day ahead, cooled completely, wrapped, and stored properly. Frosting and decorating can be done closer to serving time.

What flavors go well in a Thanksgiving cake?

Classic Thanksgiving cake flavors include pumpkin, apple, pecan, maple, cranberry, orange, sweet potato, caramel, brown butter, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. Combining one or two of these flavors usually gives a cake a cozy fall character without making it overly complicated.