Skip to Content

39 Best Thanksgiving Cupcakes for the Holiday Dessert Table

Bake up a batch for November nibbling.

By
pecan pie thanksgiving cupcake recipe
Courtesy of The Tough Cookie

Cupcakes are a great dessert option to include your Thanksgiving dessert spread, not only because they're incredibly easy to make, but also because they're smaller in size, which is sometimes all you can manage after a giant helping of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes. No matter what kind of bite-size cake you're in the mood for, there's a recipe on this list you'll want to bake ASAP.

1

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Orange Sour Cream Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes pumpkin spice cupcakes with orange sour cream frosting
Getty Images

These light and flavorful cupcakes are just the sweet treat you'll want after a big Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the recipe.

2

Turkey Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakses turkey cupcakes
Steve Giralt

Deck out basic cupcakes with Nutter Butter cookies, candy corn, and more for adorable on-theme treats.

Get the recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Lady Grey Cupcakes with Orange Zest Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes lady grey cupcakes with orange zest frosting
Brian Woodcock

For an elegant finish to the Turkey Day feast, serve up a small platter of these lovely little tea-laced cupcakes. They're not too sweet, and not too filling.

Get the recipe.

4

Chocolate Chunk Cupcakes with Swirled Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes  chocolate chunk cupcakes with swirled frosting
Ren Fuller

The swirled frosting effect is not too difficult to achieve, but the result is absolutely impressive, making these perfect for wowing dinner guests.

Get the recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Something-to-Hide Devil's Food Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes something to hide devil's food cupcakes
Brian Woodcock

This candy-filled cupcake recipe has just a hint of coffee flavor, for a perfect after-meal pick-me-up.

Get the recipe.

6

Ree Drummond's Dr. Pepper Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes ree drummonds dr pepper cupcakes
Con Poulos

Dried cherries, pumpkin pie spice, and of course a cup of the namesake soft drink all go to making The Pioneer Woman's rich, delightfully light treats.

Get the recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Candy Apple Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes candy apple cupcakes
Mary Ellen Bartley

For a fun twist on this fall classic, bake up all the flavors into moist, sweet cupcakes.

Get the recipe.

8

Acorn Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes acorn snickerdoodle cupcakes
Courtesy A Mom's Inspiration

To make these cute edible acorns, simply attach a Hershey's Kiss to a mini wafer with frosting, and then repeat on the opposite side of the wafer with mini chocolate chips. Voilà!

Get the recipe at A Mom's Inspiration.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

thanksgiving cupcakes Sweet Honey Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting and Caramelized Figs

thanksgiving cupcakes sweet honey cupcakes with mascarpone frosting and caramelized figs
Courtesy Life Made Simple

These elegant cupcakes will amaze your guests not only by the pretty fig topper, but by the naturally sweet taste too.

Get the recipe at Life Made Simple.

10

Orange Pomegranate Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes orange pomegranate cupcakes
Courtesy Spoonful of Flavor

Take advantage of pomegranate season by making these cupcakes for your Thanksgiving dessert. They have a sweet surprise inside too⁠—they're filled with pomegranate spread!

Get the recipe at Spoonful of Flavor.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Apple Butter Cupcakes with Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes apple butter cupcakes with pumpkin buttercream frosting
Courtesy The American Patriette

Combine autumn's two most popular flavors together: apple and pumpkin. The mixture will be a hit at Thanksgiving this year.

Get the recipe at The American Patriette.

12

Cornbread Cupcakes with Honey Buttercream Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes cornbread
Courtesy Garnish and Glaze

Serve your side dish as a dessert this Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe at Garnish & Glaze.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Thanksgiving Cupcakes With Cornucopia Toppers

thanksgiving cupcakes cornucopia
Sprinkle Some Fun

Show off your artistic abilities and craft these creative cupcakes. They're so impressive, they could double as a Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Get the recipe at Sprinkle Some Fun.

14

Dulce De Leche Pumpkin Coconut Cupcakes With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes pumpkin dulce
Baker by Nature

One bite into these cupcakes reveals the decadent dulce de leche filling. It makes this dessert melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Get the recipe at Baker by Nature.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes caramel bourbon
The Cake Blog

Adults will devour this boozy treat. For a sweet finish, drizzle each cupcake with additional caramel sauce.

Get the recipe at The Cake Blog.

16

Chai Latte Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes chai latte
Sally's Baking Addiction

Think of this as your favorite fall drink—but in cake form. A chai spice cake is topped with chai spice buttercream for a smooth, savory finish.

Get the recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes cheesecake
Life, Love and Sugar

Warning: This blogger calls her take on pumpkin cheesecake "totally addicting." Just one bite into the ultra-creamy cake, and you'll understand why.

Get the recipe at Life, Love and Sugar.

18

Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes turkeys
Your Cup of Cake

Gobble gobble! Little ones will love decorating (and devouring!) these cute Thanksgiving cupcakes adorned with Nutter Butter cookies and candy corn.

Get the recipe at Your Cup of Cake.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Chocolate Pumpkin Cream Filled Cupcakes

thanksgiving cupcakes chocolate pumpkin
Inside BruCrew Life

Although these cupcakes look impressive, they're actually super simple to bake. (A boxed chocolate cake mix is a time saver here!).

Get the recipe at Inside BruCrew Life.

20

Spice Cake Cupcakes With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

thanksgiving cupcakes spice
Oh, Sweet Basil

Your kitchen will smell heavenly after baking up a batch of these cupcakes. They're filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Get the recipe at Oh, Sweet Basil.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below