When pie is already on the Thanksgiving menu, a few different bakes give guests more to choose from. These 19 recipes include layer cakes, coffee cakes, cupcakes, bars, cheesecakes, and shareable cake-style treats, with chocolate, pumpkin, fruit, and spice options. Some can be baked ahead and sliced for serving, while individual cupcakes and bars are easy to pick up between the meal and dessert.
Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling
A thin pumpkin sponge rolls around a creamy center in Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling, which serves 10 and takes about 35 minutes. Pumpkin puree, eggs, flour, warm spices, and cream cheese give it the classic fall flavor and swirl. Slice it before setting out the dessert spread so guests can take a piece alongside pie, or serve it with coffee after the Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Recipe: Rolled Pumpkin Cake With Cream Filling
Easy Whoopie Pie
Soft chocolate rounds and a sweet middle make Easy Whoopie Pie a hand-held cake-style treat, with about 22 minutes of prep and baking for 12. Cocoa, flour, brown sugar, butter, milk, and egg form the cakes, while a simple buttercream brings them together. Their individual portions fit a crowded dessert table and let guests try one without committing to a full slice.
Get the Recipe: Easy Whoopie Pie
Cookie Cake
For a dessert with the look of a cake and the familiar chew of a cookie, Cookie Cake serves 10 in about 35 minutes. Butter, brown and white sugar, eggs, flour, and chocolate chips make the base, finished with chocolate buttercream and optional sprinkles. Cut it into small wedges for a casual addition to the pie table, especially for guests who reach for chocolate first.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Cake
Rhubarb Cake
A lightly tart fruit bake, Rhubarb Cake makes 10 servings in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Chopped rhubarb is folded into a batter of flour, butter, brown sugar, eggs, sour cream, and cinnamon, with orange zest adding a bright note. Its soft crumb offers a change from rich frosted desserts, and a dusting of powdered sugar keeps each slice simple for the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Cake
Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
Easy to portion into small squares, Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting yields 24 pieces in about 37 minutes. Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, brown sugar, flour, and milk make the tender base; cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar finish the top. The generous batch is handy for a larger Thanksgiving gathering, where guests can sample a bar alongside pie or take one for later.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
Red Velvet Cupcakes
A bright red crumb and tangy frosting make Red Velvet Cupcakes stand out on the dessert table, with 12 servings in about 1 hour and 5 minutes including cooling. Buttermilk, cocoa, brown sugar, and flour build the tender cake, while cream cheese frosting provides the finish. Their individual size makes them easy to serve after pie, and they can be made ahead for a busy holiday.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes
Creme Brûlée Cheesecake
A crackly sugar top sets Creme Brûlée Cheesecake apart from the usual holiday bake; it serves 12 and takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes, including chilling. The graham cracker crust supports a creamy filling made with cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar. Bake it the day before, then torch the top shortly before dessert for a centerpiece that adds another option beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Creme Brûlée Cheesecake
Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
Pastry cream tucked into each cake makes Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes a neat, individual take on the classic, with six servings in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Buttermilk cupcakes are filled with a milk-and-egg custard and topped with chocolate ganache. Their portioned format is useful when the dessert table already has pie, giving guests a layered, chocolate-topped bite without needing to slice a whole cake.
Get the Recipe: Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake
A chocolate-and-caramel combination gives Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake a richer profile, and the recipe makes 12 servings in about 25 minutes. Chocolate cake mix, eggs, milk, and salted caramel frosting keep the ingredient list short and the preparation manageable during holiday cooking. Cut it into small portions for the dessert table, where it can sit beside fruit bakes and pumpkin desserts for guests craving chocolate.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake
Peanut Butter Cake
A sheet-pan style bake makes Peanut Butter Cake easy to serve to a group, with 12 portions and about 75 minutes total time. The batter uses flour, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, oil, and peanut butter, while a creamy peanut butter icing finishes the top. Its familiar flavor offers a break from seasonal spice, and the cake can be made ahead for a less crowded Thanksgiving kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cake
Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Mini marshmallows bring the mug-inspired finish to Hot Chocolate Cupcakes, a 24-serving batch that takes about 45 minutes. Cocoa powder and hot cocoa mix flavor the cupcake batter, buttermilk keeps it soft, and a buttercream swirl tops each one. Set them out as a small, easy-to-grab dessert after the main meal, especially for children or guests who want something chocolatey without a large slice.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Oreo Cheesecake
Crushed cookies appear in the crust and filling of Oreo Cheesecake, which serves 12 and takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes including chilling. Cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and Oreo pieces make a rich baked dessert, with more cookies over the top. Make it ahead so it can chill fully before Thanksgiving dinner, then cut thin slices to share space with the pies.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake
Graham Cracker Cake
Graham crumbs and marshmallow-style frosting bring a s’mores note to Graham Cracker Cake, which serves 12 and takes about 2 hours. Flour, graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, butter, eggs, and milk make the cake, while marshmallow creme and chocolate frosting add a sweet finish. Bake it in a pan for easy slicing, a practical choice when several desserts need to be served to a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Graham Cracker Cake
Coffee Cake
A cinnamon streusel top gives Coffee Cake a crumbly contrast, with 16 servings ready in about 45 minutes. Butter, sugar, egg, sour cream, flour, and vanilla make the cake, while brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter form the topping. Its generous yield suits a busy Thanksgiving table, and smaller squares work well for guests who want a modest sweet bite with coffee after the meal.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Cake
Apple Pie Cupcakes
Cinnamon apple filling gives Apple Pie Cupcakes a familiar holiday flavor in 12 easy-to-serve portions, ready in about 40 minutes. Yellow cake mix and apple pie filling form the base, with buttercream made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and powdered sugar. These handheld treats add apple to the dessert spread without bringing another full pie, and can be arranged on a platter for self-serve portions.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Cupcakes
Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake
A pecan streusel brings crunch to Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake, which makes nine servings in about an hour. Pumpkin puree, sour cream, oil, flour, brown sugar, butter, and pumpkin pie spice create a tender, warmly spiced cake. Cut it into squares to serve alongside the pies or with coffee later in the afternoon, giving guests a less frosted option with a crumb topping.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Caramelized fruit crowns Pineapple Upside Down Cake, a six-serving bake that takes about 50 minutes. Pineapple rings, butter, brown sugar, eggs, flour, buttermilk, and a little nutmeg make its sweet, tender layers. The fruit topping gives the cake a different look from frosted desserts, and serving it in slim wedges leaves room for another Thanksgiving treat on the plate. It can be turned out just before serving to show the glossy pineapple on top.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Cinnamon Roll Cake
A swirled, yeasted bake gives Cinnamon Roll Cake its familiar cinnamon-roll flavor in a sliceable form, serving eight after about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Milk, yeast, flour, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon build the dough and filling, with confectioners’ sugar for the glaze. Its longer rise makes it a good make-ahead dessert, ready to slice when the Thanksgiving table is cleared.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cake
Chocolate Cake
A classic frosted layer bake, Chocolate Cake serves eight and takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Cocoa, flour, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and brewed coffee make the cake layers, while buttercream adds a rich finish. Prepare it ahead and bring it out alongside the pies for a familiar chocolate choice, cutting modest slices so guests can taste more than one dessert.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cake