Thanksgiving

43 Thanksgiving Cake Recipe Ideas, From Pumpkin to Caramel to Chocolate

Who says Thanksgiving is a pies-only affair?
Orange Chiffon Cake on a serving platter with white background.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
  • Orange Chiffon Cake on a serving platter with white background.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    1/43

    Orange Chiffon Cake

    A classic chiffon cake is kind of a cross between an oil cake and a sponge cake. It includes baking powder and vegetable oil, but the eggs are separated and the whites are beaten to soft peaks before being folded into the batter. This creates a cake with a tender crumb and rich flavor like an oil cake, but with a lighter texture that's more like a sponge cake.

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  • Pumpkin and cookie butter cake topped with toasted meringue and pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet with a side of pumpkins...
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    2/43

    Pumpkin and Cookie-Butter Sheet Cake With Toasted Meringue

    Speculoos cookies in spreadable "butter" form add a spicy complexity to this pumpkin-flavored cake. A scorched marshmallow topping make it taste even more like fall.

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  • Tall apple cake with dripping caramel glaze and walnuts on a cake stand with a black background.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
    3/43

    Caramel Apple Drip Cake With Candied Walnuts

    Instead of the usual apple pie, opt for this spiced apple cake for Thanksgiving. Grated apples give it a moist, dense texture, while a caramel glaze and candied walnuts make it truly showstopping.

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  • Honey cake topped with sliced almonds on a clear cake stand with two slices on smaller plates.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    4/43

    Magic and Moist Honey Cake

    This irresistible honey cake is moist, lightly spiced, and scented with coffee, fresh orange juice, and rye whiskey.

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  • Two white plates with square slices of yeasted apple coffee cake topped with cinnamon streusel.
    Photo by Gentl & Hyers
    5/43

    Yeasted Apple Coffee Cake

    The sour tang and bready texture of the yeasted cake dough keep things interesting; heaps of streusel keep the crowds happy.

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  • Top view of chocolate bundt cake on a white plate. One of our best bundt cake recipes.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    6/43

    Hot Cocoa Cake

    Serve this versatile cake warm with lots of chocolate sauce and whipped cream. And a cup of hot cocoa, of course.

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  • Layered carrot cake with cream cheese frosting topped with candied carrot coins on a serving dish with two slices cut...
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime
    9/43

    BA's Best Carrot Cake

    This is the only carrot cake recipe you’ll ever need.

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  • Square slice of lemon cake studded with apples and berries on ceramic dessert plate with one bite pierced onto a fork...
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Claire Saffitz
    10/43

    Lemon Cake With Fruit

    The original recipe calls for small plums that sink into the batter, but you’ll get the same effect with seasonally appropriate apples or pears.

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  • Two plates of dark ginger rye cake next to a plate of yogurt and honey.
    Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    13/43

    Dark Ginger Rye Cake With Yogurt and Honey

    This richly spiced gingerbread boasts the texture of a moist, dense devil’s food cake. This recipe only gets better if you make it ahead.

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  • Five slices of bundt cake on dark blue and teal plates with remaining whole caramelglazed cake pushed to the corner.
    Photo by Matthew Septimus
    14/43

    Apple Walnut Bundt Cake

    Made with oil instead of butter, this fragrant fall cake stays moist and flavorful for over a week, so feel free to bake it a day or two before serving.

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Read More
Glazed Apple Pie Fritters
Glazed Apple Pie Fritters
Apple pie in doughnut hole form? We’re in love.
Crunchy Veg Salad With Dates and Fried Shallots
Crunchy Veg Salad With Dates and Fried Shallots
Elegant enough for a dinner party centerpiece, sturdy enough to take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Nuoc Cham Chicken Salad
Nuoc Cham Chicken Salad
A spicy-funky upgrade for lettuce cups, sandwiches, and more.
Green Goddess Harvest Salad
Green Goddess Harvest Salad
So much more affordable than ordering from those fast casual salad chains.
Giant Garlic Knot
Giant Garlic Knot
This savory babka is braided with a whole head of garlic, fresh parsley, and salty Parmesan.
Buckwheat Crepes With Banana-Sesame Jam
Buckwheat Crepes With Banana-Sesame Jam
Practical to make and feels like a total flex.
Cheeseburger Fried Rice
Cheeseburger Fried Rice
An immediately familiar and comforting dish from Agnes and Sherman in Houston.
Gooey Butter Cookies
Gooey Butter Cookies
These playful cookies are reminiscent of St. Louis butter cake, with specks of crunchy rice brittle throughout.
Pear Tarta De Santiago
Pear Tarta De Santiago
Just as great with coffee for breakfast as it is with amaro for dessert.
Cold Silken Tofu With Chili Crisp Dressing
Cold Silken Tofu With Chili Crisp Dressing
A cool, custardy treat for the hottest days and beyond.
Korean Street Toast Breakfast Sandwich
Korean Street Toast Breakfast Sandwich
Veggie-packed eggs, gooey cheese, and don't skip the sprinkle of sugar.
The Most-Saved Recipes on Bon Appétit This Week
The Most-Saved Recipes on Bon Appétit This Week
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.