Recipe Roundup

24 Thanksgiving Cupcake Recipes & Ideas

Because Thanksgiving isn't just about the pie.
Browncolored cupcake decorated as a mini turkey.
Larry the Turkey CupcakePhoto by Alan Richardson

All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

  • Browncolored cupcake decorated as a mini turkey.
    Photo by Alan Richardson
    1/24

    Larry the Turkey Cupcakes

    A delicious combination of pumpkin cupcakes, caramel frosting, and ginger cookies, this super cute turkey will be gobbled up in no time. These are great for the Thanksgiving table spread, for a pre-holiday school party, and kids can get in on the fun by "naming" their own turkey treats.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Katherine Kallinis Berman
    2/24

    Big Apple Crumble Cupcakes

    These flavorful cupcakes are studded with grated apple and bits of cinnamon crumble, then topped with a luscious cinnamon buttercream. It's fall all the way.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Katherine Kallinis Berman
    5/24

    Lemon and Fig Cupcakes

    Earthy-sweet figs and bright lemon zest and juice give these cupcakes worlds of flavor. If you'd like, take them one step further with a silky cream cheese frosting.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Alan Richardson
    6/24

    Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

    One trip to the cupcake pumpkin patch, and this project will become a favorite fall tradition. It's a terrific dessert centerpiece for any gathering, from Halloween to Thanksgiving. The pumpkin patch boasts both standard and mini cupcakes, and each one is a little different—just like a real pumpkin patch—so you can pick and choose your favorite. Use your favorite cupcake as a base—pumpkin spice, vanilla, and orange-cranberry would all work well here.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    7/24

    Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

    This recipe makes decadent chocolate cake and delicious chocolate cupcakes. Don't skip the silky frosting, it's the best part!

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Molly Hauge
    8/24

    Cinnamon Apple Cupcakes

    Apple picking is such a fall tradition, and these cupcakes call to mind crisp October air and colored leaves. For a simpler version, leave off the apple fritter topping (although can you really resist?!).

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Dayna Smith
    9/24

    Lemon Blossom Cupcakes

    Lemon cupcakes are never out of place, but if you want to give them more of a holiday feel, switch out the lemon juice and zest for orange.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Amy Neunsinger
    10/24

    Orange Cranberry Cupcakes

    Though cupcakes haven’t traditionally been a Thanksgiving dessert, these orange-cranberry delights deserve a place on the table. The sweet, fresh flavor of orange, studded with tart cranberries (fresh and frozen work equally well), makes for a vibrant dessert as worthy of Thanksgiving as any pie.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Alan Richardson
    11/24

    Autumn Leaves Cupcake Wreath

    Use your favorite chocolate cupcakes to create this colorful centerpiece, perfect for fall gatherings—everything from back-to-school parties to Thanksgiving celebrations. It might look complicated to create, but the leaves are simply created by painting melted candy wafers on maple leaves, letting it cool, then peeling off the leaves to reveal a stunning edible replica.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Tara Fisher
    12/24

    Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes

    The pretty twirl of toasted marshmallow gives these a elegant look that's perfect for any special occasion, Thanksgiving included. And a surprise bitter chocolate ganache filling makes the cupcakes perfect for the decadence of the Thanksgiving dessert table.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Rebecca Bent
    13/24

    Vegan Apple Cider Cupcakes

    This is the quintessential fall cupcake. Prepare the apple cider just as if you were going to drink it, boiling t with plenty of cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice. Top with Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting and a healthy dose of Brown Rice Caramel Glaze, and you've got yourself autumn in a yummy little package. The secret ingredient is agar—it gives the cupcakes a bright sheen and holds things together nicely.

    Get This Recipe
  • Jonathon Kambouris
    14/24

    Sweet Potato Cupcakes

    Instead of sweet potato casserole, turn the veggie into dessert with these delicious sweet-savory cupcakes. Cream cheese frosting and dried cranberries finish the cupcakes off for festive flavor.

    Get This Recipe
  • Ditte Isager
    17/24

    Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Icing

    These delightful cupcakes are great as soon as they've cooled, but their carrot-cake moistness and hint of spice really come through the day after they're baked.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Dayna Smith
    18/24

    Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    Take your PSL love to the next level with these delicious pumpkin-spiced cupcakes. The texture is like a cake-bread hybrid: very dense and savory yet sweet, and the maple-cream cheese frosting adds the perfect amount of sweetness. For a sparkly and elegant finishing touch, pick up gold and brown edible luster dust.

    Get This Recipe
  • 19/24

    White Cupcakes

    Spice is nice, but nothing beats a good old fashioned white cupcake. Jazz it up with your favorite flavor—try adding maple syrup, orange zest, or cinnamon to the frosting—or keep it simple and classic.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Jon Edwards
    20/24

    Vanilla Chai Cupcakes

    These cupcakes are moist, tender, and lightly spicy, thanks to the combination of ginger and cardamom. Go ahead and pair with a steaming hot chai latte...you won’t overdo it.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by John Kernick
    21/24

    Zucchini Ginger Cupcakes

    These delicate, lightly spiced cupcakes are reminiscent of carrot cake. Grated zucchini makes them exceptionally moist.

    Get This Recipe
  • Photo by Rebecca Bent
    22/24

    Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemony Frosting

    Looking for a pretty vegan Thanksgiving dessert? These moist, fluffy gingerbread cupcakes are like a hand-held holiday party. A lemony cream cheese frosting brightens the spiced cake. They're the perfect do-ahead treat to bring along to holiday get togethers or to put out on the dessert spread.

    Get This Recipe
Read More
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like grilled chicken wings and a citrus bitters cocktail.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in May
Like green falafel smash burgers and a crispy rice salad.
41 Father’s Day Breakfasts to Say, “Thanks, Dad”
Extra-tender cinnamon rolls, everything-bagel quiche, a chorizo and egg crunchwrap, and more ways to show your gratitude.
The Best Mac and Cheese You'll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality)
In this edition of Epicurious 101, professional chef and culinary instructor Frank Proto demonstrates how to make the best mac and cheese at home. From the perfect melty sauce to a delicious toasted crust, follow Frank’s guide and never make a dry mac and cheese again.
31 Fourth of July Desserts for Star-Spangled Summer Fun
Like butter-pecan icebox cake, sour cherry pot pie, sheet pan shortcake, and more.
23 Fresh Basil Recipes for Pesto and Beyond
Grilled corn with basil butter, pineapple shrimp noodles, slow-cooker pork with zesty basil sauce, and more.
19 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes Worth a Second (or Third or Fourth) Scoop
Hazelnut espresso, no-churn dark chocolate, raspberry-cardamom, and more dreamy combos.
Cheese Expert Tries Every Trader Joe’s Cheese
Trader Joe’s is famous for its cheese selection, but which ones are actually worth buying? Cheese expert Liz Thorpe joins Epicurious to taste test everything from classic Brie and sharp cheddar to more adventurous flavors like chocolate stilton and spicy scotch bonnet. Join Liz as she breaks down the best buys, hidden gems, and which cheeses to skip on your next Trader Joe’s run.
Pro Chefs Blind Taste Test Every Hot Dog
Chefs Cara Nicoletti, Pat LaFrieda, and Matt Abdoo are used to thinking outside the box when it comes to cooking; however, today on Epicurious, we’ve asked them to give us their unfiltered, honest reviews of some prominent hot dogs found on supermarket shelves. Which hot dogs pack the most bang for your budget, and which should you avoid at all costs?
All the Recipes From Bon Appétit’s Drinks Issue
We’ve got coffee cake scones, pad kra pao, and a frozen espresso martini.
Pro Chefs Blind Taste Test Every Frozen Burrito
Chefs Yara Herrera, Eric See, and Adán Medrano are used to thinking outside the box when it comes to cooking; however, today on Epicurious, we’ve asked them to give us their unfiltered, honest reviews of some prominent frozen burritos found on supermarket shelves. Which burritos pack the most bang for your budget, and which should you avoid at all costs?
Our Favorite Carla Hall Recipes
From a black-eyed pea salad to “by far the best” shrimp and grits.