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
  • 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.

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  • Rows of apple crumble cupcakes topped with appleshaped candies.
    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.

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  • Diagonally bisected photo showing close up of one cupcake in muffin tin with chopped dried figs and lemon slices on...
    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.

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  • Orangecolored cupcakes that resemble mini pumpkins on a wooden surface.
    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.

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  • Hershey's perfectly chocolate chocolate cake in cupcake form.
    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!

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  • Image may contain Food Creme Dessert Cake Cream Cupcake Ice Cream Icing Confectionery and Sweets
    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?!).

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  • Lemon blossom cupcakes topped with a garnish of lemon peel.
    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.

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  • Halved orange cranberry cupcakes on parchment.
    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.

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  • Image may contain Plant Leaf Seed Food Vegetable Grain Produce Nut Acorn Birthday Cake Cake and Dessert
    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.

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  • Three cupcakes in pink paper cups on a cake stand each topped with a piped kiss of toasted homemade marshmallow and...
    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.

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  • Image may contain Food Creme Cupcake Dessert Cake Cream Icing Confectionery Sweets and Bread
    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.

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  • Side view of a cute little cupcake in a swirly wrapper topped with cream cheese frosting and a garnish of dried cranberries.
    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.

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  • Image may contain Cream Cupcake Food Dessert Cake Creme Confectionery Sweets Icing Plant Vegetable and Carrot
    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.

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  • Pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts.
    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.

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  • Image may contain Food Dessert Creme Cream Confectionery Sweets Flower Rose Plant Blossom Cupcake and Cake
    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.

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  • Image may contain Cupcake Food Creme Cake Dessert Cream and Muffin
    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.

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  • Image may contain Food Creme Dessert Cream Ice Cream Cake Cupcake Burger Whipped Cream and Icing
    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.

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  • Image may contain Food Confectionery Sweets Dessert Ice Cream Creme and Cream
    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.

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