Top 10 Pumpkin Cake Recipes for Thanksgiving

Nothing says fall comfort quite like a slice of pumpkin cake. These recipes are cozy, nostalgic, and full of that spiced pumpkin goodness that makes Thanksgiving extra special. From soft and moist layers to creamy frostings and buttery crumbs, every bite feels like home.

Quick Summary

These Top 10 Pumpkin Cake Recipes for Thanksgiving bring together the warm flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel. You’ll find everything from gooey butter pumpkin cakes to pumpkin spice latte-inspired treats. Each recipe includes simple ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, and festive autumn flavor — perfect for your Thanksgiving dessert table.

1. Pumpkin Spice Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

A classic pumpkin spice cake layered with rich cream cheese frosting makes every bite cozy and nostalgic. The warm spices and soft crumb are what make this one the heart of every fall gathering.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and spices.
  3. In another bowl, beat oil, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until creamy.
  4. Combine wet and dry mixtures and pour into a greased baking pan.
  5. Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

This is the true taste of Thanksgiving comfort — sweet, spiced, and simply timeless.

2. Pumpkin Caramel Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

A pumpkin cake swirled with buttery caramel makes every forkful irresistible. It’s soft, rich, and brings that sticky-sweet caramel warmth that defines fall baking.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 ½ cups pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup caramel sauce

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices in a bowl.
  3. In another, whisk pumpkin, sugar, butter, and eggs until smooth.
  4. Fold in dry ingredients, pour into a greased pan, and drizzle caramel sauce on top.
  5. Swirl with a knife, bake 30–35 minutes, and drizzle extra caramel once cooled.

Perfect for those who love a gooey, buttery twist on traditional pumpkin cake.

3. Pumpkin Gooey Butter Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

This gooey butter pumpkin cake is rich, creamy, and melts in your mouth. It’s the kind of dessert that’s impossible to stop at one bite.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 can pumpkin purée
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix cake mix, butter, and 1 egg to make the base; press into a pan.
  3. In another bowl, mix pumpkin, cream cheese, remaining eggs, spices, and sugar.
  4. Pour over crust and bake for 40–45 minutes.
  5. Cool slightly before slicing.

Soft, creamy, and indulgent — just like grandma’s famous pumpkin dessert.

4. Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Thanksgiving Recipe

The blend of pumpkin and cinnamon cream frosting gives this cake a warm, bakery-style flavor. Each bite is silky, spiced, and beautifully layered.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon cream frosting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.
  3. Beat oil, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in another.
  4. Mix together, bake 30 minutes, then frost with cinnamon cream.

This one’s like a pumpkin spice latte in cake form — sweet, creamy, and cozy.

5. Easy Pumpkin Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

This simple pumpkin cake delivers all the flavor without the fuss. It’s perfect for quick holiday baking that still feels homemade.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix wet ingredients in one bowl and dry ingredients in another.
  3. Combine, pour into a greased pan, and bake 25–30 minutes.
  4. Top with powdered sugar or whipped cream.

An effortless recipe that fills your kitchen with that cozy pumpkin aroma.

6. Moist Pumpkin Spice Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

A soft and moist pumpkin cake with a tender crumb and cream cheese glaze steals the spotlight every time.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 ½ cups pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • Cream cheese glaze

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix flour, soda, and spices together.
  3. Beat oil, pumpkin, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
  4. Combine, bake for 35 minutes, and drizzle with glaze.

Every bite is spiced perfection — ideal for Thanksgiving brunch or dessert.

7. Pumpkin Spice Latte Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Inspired by your favorite fall drink, this cake blends pumpkin, espresso, and cream frosting. It’s a fun, caffeinated twist for coffee lovers.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp espresso powder
  • 2 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • Cream frosting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients together.
  3. Beat butter, sugar, pumpkin, and eggs until fluffy.
  4. Add dry mix, bake for 30 minutes, and frost once cool.

A fall favorite that tastes like dessert and coffee in one bite.

8. Pumpkin Spice Celebration Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Perfect for gatherings, this pumpkin cake is topped with cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles. It’s cheerful, sweet, and crowd-approved.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • Cream cheese frosting and sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine all wet ingredients, then stir in dry mix.
  3. Pour into a baking dish and bake 25–30 minutes.
  4. Frost and decorate once cooled.

A fun, party-ready cake that celebrates Thanksgiving in the sweetest way.

9. Pumpkin Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

A traditional pumpkin cake that never fails to impress. Moist, flavorful, and finished with smooth cream cheese frosting, it’s a holiday must-have.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • Cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
  3. Blend pumpkin, sugar, and eggs until creamy.
  4. Combine and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Frost generously.

A simple yet delicious pumpkin cake that embodies the taste of fall.

10. Ultimate Pumpkin Pie Thanksgiving Cake Recipe

Combining pumpkin pie and cake into one rich dessert, this recipe is a true Thanksgiving showstopper.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1 can pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup evaporated milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • Whipped cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
  3. Pour into a greased pan and bake 40 minutes.
  4. Cool, slice, and top with whipped cream.

A creamy, custardy cake that feels like pumpkin pie and cake combined — the perfect finale for Thanksgiving dinner.