32 Thanksgiving Cupcakes You Might Just Love More Than Pie
When pie becomes overwhelming, make cupcakes instead!
While we mostly agree that it isn’t Thanksgiving without pie… we also know sometimes wrangling pie crust and myriad fillings can be a LOT. Some years, we just don’t have it in us to bake even one pumpkin pie, not to mention the apple, pecan, and sweet potato pies we’ve also come to associate with the holiday dinner. Don’t even get us started on all the other events requiring desserts during the Thanksgiving season, like classroom parties or Friendsgivings. Luckily, there are so many dessert alternatives that will be just as welcome to your Thanksgiving dessert repertoire, like cupcakes. They’re perfect for every occasion, so we’ve assembled our 32 favorites for Thanksgiving—make them, and you might just create a new holiday tradition.
While we don’t always want to make a pie, we do still crave them year after year. Rather than completely miss out, turn them into cupcakes instead. Check out our pumpkin spice cupcakes, our boozy pecan pie cupcakes, our sweet potato pie cupcakes, or our apple pie stuffed cupcakes—they’re just as satisfying as their pie counterparts, but with way less work.
If you’re coming to this list because you don’t like traditional Thanksgiving flavors, we’ve got you too. There are a lot of classic dessert flavors that get pushed out in lieu of seasonal pies, and these cupcakes are a great way to inject some of them back into the mix. Check out our chocolate merlot cupcakes, our banana pudding cupcakes, our buckeye cupcakes, our cheesecake stuffed cupcakes, or our crème brûlée cupcakes for ideas, then bake them for any Thanksgiving occasion. Other chocolate fiends, fruit fans, or peanut butter heads at the table will be so grateful you did.
Want more non-traditional Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Check out our favorite Thanksgiving cakes, our top pumpkin desserts (that aren’t all pie!), and our best cranberry desserts too.
Turkey Cupcakes
You could stick to your guns and make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, OR you could make these stupidly adorable chocolate cupcakes. These are so easy to make and will definitely win the hearts (and mouths) of all of your Turkey Day guests.
Get the Turkey Cupcakes recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes
Sweet potato pie is practically a MUST at Thanksgiving, but it can get a little repetitive. Not so when you turn it into cupcakes! This easy recipe uses boxed cake mix to make some of the tastiest cupcakes we've ever had.
Get the Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes recipe.
Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a warm apple pie. Unfortunately, we don't always have time to make and chill pie dough. These cupcakes are the perfect solution!
Get the Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
If you're looking for a perfect Thanksgiving cupcake, look no further. These easy sweets are full of pumpkin spice and topped with a simple cream cheese frosting. We love them sprinkled with some cinnamon sugar, but more pumpkin spice would also be delicious.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes recipe.
Cheesecake Cupcakes
Who doesn't love an ultra-creamy slice of cheesecake? This mini version is super-easy to make (no water bath!), but just as delicious as its full-size counterpart. Feel free to swap out the fruit for fall options like apples or pears to keep things seasonal.
Get the Cheesecake Cupcakes recipe.
Boston Cream Cupcakes
When you don't have time to grab or make a Boston creme pie, serve these cupcakes instead. They'll be a welcome addition to any Thanksgiving dessert spread.
Get the Boston Creme Cupcakes recipe.
S'mores Pumpkin Cupcakes
Missing summertime s'mores? These pumpkin cupcakes take them fully into fall territory, perfect for Thanksgiving and all season long.
Get the S'mores Pumpkin Cupcakes recipe.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
The best part about these red velvet cupcakes is the mascarpone and cream cheese frosting. For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Set your eggs and buttermilk on the counter before you preheat your oven to ensure your batter comes together nicely.
Get the Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe.
Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate and cheesecake are two desserts that don't get enough play around Thanksgiving, so why not add both to your spread in the form of these adorable cupcakes? Change up the sprinkles to fall colors or shapes, and you'll be in business.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Carrot cake isn't just for spring, and this recipe is proof. These cupcakes are full of warm spices and sweet carrots, making them the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving spread. The best part? They're topped with the most delicious cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Get the Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe.
Kahlúa Chocolate Cupcakes
Sure, Kahlúa is great in coffee (particularly while watching the Macy's Day parade as you gear up for the big day), but it's REALLY great in cupcakes. We added both coffee and Kahlúa to a boxed cake mix for a triple threat that we're obsessed with.
Get the Kahlúa Chocolate Cupcakes recipe.
Chocolate-Filled Pumpkins
All you need to make these adorable little pumpkins are a mini Bundt pan, white cake mix, a little orange food coloring, white chocolate, your chocolate spread of choice (we like Nutella), and cinnamon sticks for the top. They're really a piece of cake to make!
Get the Chocolate-Filled Pumpkins recipe.
Cannoli Cupcakes
Let's be real. The filling in a cannoli is the best part, and that's why these cupcakes are so amazing—they're stuffed to the brim with the good stuff.
Get the Cannoli Cupcakes recipe.
Apple Cupcakes
These cupcakes are ALL about the decoration (the cake itself is easy thanks to boxed cake mix), but all you need is some red food dye, green gummy candies, and pretzel sticks to make them look just like everyone's favorite fall fruit: apples!
Get the Apple Cupcakes recipe.
Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes
These boozy cupcakes are spiked with red wine and topped with a fresh cherry-red wine frosting. And it all begins by hacking a boxed cake mix, so the whole process couldn't be easier.
Get the Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes recipe.
Football Cupcakes
Have someone in the family who prefers watching football to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? Make these adorable cupcakes to show them you care (even as you're changing the channel back to check out inflatable Snoopy 😉).
Get the Football Cupcakes recipe.
Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes
These are 10x better than anything you'd pick up at the grocery store. These cupcakes bake up perfectly domed with an almost crunchy sugary top, making them completely irresistible. Pair them with our perfect vanilla buttercream, or get creative with your frosting flavor.
Get the Perfect Vanilla Cupcake recipe.
Mini PSL Cheesecakes
Who doesn't love a good pumpkin spice latte? These adorable little cheesecakes take all the autumnal flavors we love and marries them with creamy cheesecake filling. We're hooked.
Get the Mini PSL Cheesecakes recipe.
Ice Cream Stuffed Cupcakes
Nothing beats ice cream and cake, even on Thanksgiving. Feel free to swap out the ice cream for your favorite fall flavor (pumpkin maybe?), and use sprinkles in fall colors or shapes to make these extra-festive.
Get the Ice Cream Stuffed Cupcakes recipe.
Buckeye Cupcakes
Take your buckeyes to the next level by perching them atop a chocolate cupcake with the most incredible peanut butter frosting. We used a piping tip for a little extra flair, but it's just as good spread on with a knife if you like!
Get the Buckeye Cupcakes recipe.
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