Thanksgiving dessert usually means pie, but a good cake can steal the whole table. A moist chocolate cake, a spiced carrot cake, or a pecan pie dump cake gives guests a second dessert to reach for, and cakes are often easier to bake ahead, slice, and serve to a crowd than a pie. These easy Thanksgiving cake recipes bring the flavors of the holiday into the cake pan: apple, pecan, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, chocolate, and citrus.
Every cake below is linked to its full recipe on this site, with real prep times, baking times, oven temperatures, and ingredients taken from the recipe pages, so you can plan your Thanksgiving baking with confidence. Bake one for the holiday table or bake two and let your guests choose their favorite.
Why Cake Belongs on the Thanksgiving Table
Cake belongs on the Thanksgiving table because it does things pie cannot always do. A sheet cake or a tray bake feeds a crowd from one pan, a pound cake slices cleanly and keeps well for days, and a dump cake comes together in minutes when the oven is already busy with the turkey. Cakes also give you flavors that pies skip: deep chocolate, red velvet, German chocolate with coconut and pecan, and bright orange pound cake.
Most of the cakes in this collection bake at 350°F and take about an hour from start to finish, which makes them easy to plan around the turkey. Many of them taste even better the next day, so you can bake ahead and free up the oven on Thanksgiving itself. Keep them covered at room temperature, frost them once they are fully cool, and slice them just before serving.
1. Paula Deen Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Chocolate lovers adore this classic Southern dessert. The Paula Deen Texas Sheet Cake Recipe is rich, moist, and deeply comforting, and it bakes quickly and serves many people, which makes it perfect for a Thanksgiving crowd. Each bite tastes bold and chocolaty, and the frosting melts into the warm cake to create an irresistible texture.
You need all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter, water, cocoa powder, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. The cake bakes at 350°F and is ready in about 35 minutes from start to finish. Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake so it soaks in slightly, then let it set before slicing. A thin sheet cake like this one is the easiest way to serve chocolate cake to a full Thanksgiving table.
2. Joanna Gaines Chocolate Cake Recipe
Who does not love a rich piece of chocolate cake? The Joanna Gaines Chocolate Cake Recipe is a true family favorite: moist, dark, and very delicious, and simple enough to bake for any special day. It brings comfort to any table, and it is the classic chocolate cake to make when you want a dessert everyone will eat.
You need granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and large eggs. The prep takes 20 minutes and the cake bakes at 350°F for 35 minutes, for a total of 55 minutes. Let the layers cool completely before frosting so the frosting stays smooth and does not slide. Serve it with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a Thanksgiving dessert that feels like a celebration.
3. Mary Berry Carrot Cake Tray Bake Recipe
Baking a carrot cake feels warm and comforting, and the Mary Berry Carrot Cake Tray Bake Recipe is the simple, reliable version to make for Thanksgiving. It uses basic ingredients and easy steps, the texture stays soft and moist, and the flavor feels rich but never heavy. A tray bake is the smart shape for a holiday: it bakes evenly, slices into neat squares, and feeds a crowd without any fancy layering.
The prep takes 20 minutes and the cake bakes for 35 minutes, for a total of 55 minutes. This recipe suits beginners and busy bakers, and it works well for family gatherings. Frost it with cream cheese frosting once it is fully cool, add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans on top if you like, and cut it into squares right on the tray for easy serving.
4. Paula Deen Red Velvet Cake Recipe
If you love rich, classic desserts, the Paula Deen Red Velvet Cake Recipe is for you. It is soft and moist, each bite melts in your mouth, and the vibrant red color looks beautiful on a Thanksgiving table next to the golden turkey and the cranberry sauce. Cream cheese frosting makes it even better, and the cake is sweet, slightly tangy, and utterly delicious.
The cake has a tender crumb and smooth frosting, and it is ready in about 50 minutes, baking at 350°F. You do not need fancy skills to make it: simple ingredients create a bakery-quality dessert at home. Kids and adults will enjoy it alike. Bake the layers a day ahead, wrap them well, and frost them on Thanksgiving morning for a showpiece dessert with very little last-minute work.
5. Homemade German Chocolate Cake Recipe
The Homemade German Chocolate Cake Recipe is pure decadence. It blends rich chocolate layers with coconut-pecan frosting, and every bite melts in your mouth with sweet, nutty flavor. It is the perfect cake for celebrations and holidays, whether it is a gathering or a potluck, and it is a guaranteed hit with guests who love a proper layer cake.
You need all-purpose flour, buttermilk, granulated sugar, softened unsalted butter, melted sweet baking chocolate, and large eggs for the cake layers. The prep takes 25 minutes and the layers bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, for a total of about 1 hour. Let the layers cool fully, then spread the coconut-pecan frosting between them and over the top. The pecans in the frosting tie this cake to the pecan flavors of Thanksgiving perfectly.
6. Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe
The Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe is a true holiday favorite because it combines rich pecan pie flavors with the simplicity of a cake. It is the perfect treat for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy gathering, and it requires little effort but delivers an indulgent and impressive dessert. Every bite brings nutty crunch, buttery sweetness, and warm comfort.
You need a box of yellow cake mix, 1 cup of chopped pecans, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 cup of light corn syrup, 3 large eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. The prep takes just 10 minutes and the cake bakes at 350°F for 45 minutes, for a total of 55 minutes. Dump the ingredients into the pan in layers, bake until golden and set, and serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. It tastes like pecan pie and bakes like a cake.
7. Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe
The Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe is a rich, comforting dessert that captures fall flavors in every bite. Moist apple cake, crunchy pecans, and buttery caramel glaze create a dessert that is truly unforgettable, and it impresses with both taste and appearance. Apples, pecans, and caramel are the flavors of Thanksgiving in a single cake.
The prep takes 20 minutes and the cake bakes at 350°F for 45 minutes, for a total of about 1 hour. Let the cake cool slightly, then pour the warm caramel glaze over the top so it drips down the sides. Serve it at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, and keep any leftovers covered so the glaze stays soft.
8. Paula Deen Grandgirl’s Fresh Apple Cake Recipe
Baking brings comfort to busy kitchens, and the Paula Deen Grandgirl’s Fresh Apple Cake Recipe captures that feeling perfectly. It feels nostalgic and inviting, it uses simple pantry staples, and fresh apples add natural sweetness to every bite. This cake suits holidays or casual weekend baking, and it is the kind of homemade dessert that makes a house smell wonderful.
You need 3 cups of fresh apples, peeled and diced, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vegetable oil, large eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. The prep takes 20 minutes and the cake bakes at 350°F for 50 minutes, for a total of about 1 hour. The apples keep the crumb moist for days, so this is a good cake to bake the day before Thanksgiving. Dust it with powdered sugar or serve it plain with coffee.
9. Ina Garten Orange Pound Cake Recipe
If you love soft cakes with fresh citrus flavor, the Ina Garten Orange Pound Cake Recipe is perfect. It is rich, moist, and full of bright orange taste, and it is easy to follow step by step. After a heavy Thanksgiving meal, a slice of citrus pound cake feels lighter and fresher than a rich chocolate cake, and the orange flavor cuts through the richness of the day.
You need softened unsalted butter, sugar, large eggs, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. The prep takes 20 minutes and the cake bakes at 350°F for 55 minutes, for a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Bake it in a loaf pan for neat slices, and brush the warm cake with a little orange syrup if you want extra moisture and shine. Serve it with fresh berries or a spoonful of whipped cream.
10. Sara Lee Banana Cake Recipe
There is something undeniably comforting about a slice of moist, flavorful banana cake, especially when it is reminiscent of the beloved Sara Lee classic. This homemade Sara Lee Banana Cake recipe captures all the nostalgia and deliciousness of the store-bought favorite, with the added joy of baking it from scratch in your own kitchen. It is easy to follow, and it yields a soft, tender cake that everyone loves.
You need 3 ripe bananas, mashed, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large eggs, and vanilla extract. The prep takes 10 to 15 minutes and the cake bakes at 350°F for 35 minutes, for a total of about 50 minutes. Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and moisture. Frost it with cream cheese frosting or serve it plain with a cup of coffee after Thanksgiving dinner.
Tips for Baking Thanksgiving Cakes
Bake ahead when you can. Most of the cakes in this collection taste just as good, or better, the next day, so bake on Wednesday and frost on Thursday morning. That frees up the oven for the turkey and keeps the kitchen calm. Store unfrosted layers wrapped well at room temperature, and frost them only once they are fully cool so the frosting does not melt.
Use room-temperature ingredients and do not overbake. Butter, eggs, and buttermilk blend better at room temperature, and a cake that bakes even five minutes too long turns dry. Start checking a few minutes before the time is up: a toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off, so the cake stays light instead of dense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake Thanksgiving cakes ahead of time?
Yes. Most cakes in this collection keep well for two to three days at room temperature when covered, and unfrosted layers freeze well for up to a month. Bake the cake a day or two before Thanksgiving, wrap it well, and frost it on the day. The apple cakes and the pound cake actually taste better after a day, as the flavors settle.
Which Thanksgiving cake is best for a crowd?
The Texas sheet cake and the carrot cake tray bake are the best choices for a crowd. Both bake in a single pan, slice into many servings, and are easy to carry to the table. The dump cake is another good option because it takes only 10 minutes to prepare and serves a large group warm from the oven.
What frosting goes best with these cakes?
Cream cheese frosting suits the red velvet cake, the carrot cake, and the banana cake. The German chocolate cake needs its coconut-pecan frosting, and the Texas sheet cake is best with its warm chocolate frosting poured over the top. The apple cakes and the pound cake are delicious with just a dusting of powdered sugar or a spoonful of whipped cream.
How do I keep my Thanksgiving cake moist?
Do not overbake it. Check the cake a few minutes before the time is up and take it out as soon as a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack. Store it covered so it does not dry out, and add the frosting only once the cake is fully cool.
Can I make these cakes without a stand mixer?
Yes. Every cake in this collection can be made with a hand mixer or even a wooden spoon and a whisk, as long as you beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer makes it easier, but it is not required. Just take your time creaming the butter and sugar, and fold the flour in gently at the end.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving dessert does not have to stop at pie. A chocolate sheet cake, a spiced carrot cake, a pecan pie dump cake, or a bright orange pound cake can sit right next to the pies and give your guests a choice they will be glad to have. These easy Thanksgiving cake recipes are honest, make-ahead friendly, and full of the flavors of the season: apple, pecan, cinnamon, chocolate, and citrus. Pick one for the table, bake it a day ahead, and let the cake be the sweet ending your Thanksgiving deserves.