38 Easy Thanksgiving Cupcakes That Are the Perfect Addition to Your Festive Dessert Table
From turkey dessert ideas to loads of fall flavors, you'll want to gobble up all of these!
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You've got your classic Thanksgiving desserts ready to go — why not complete your Thanksgiving menu of turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes by adding some easy and delicious Thanksgiving cupcakes to truly wow your guests? These festive fall cupcake recipes celebrate our favorite autumn flavors (think: maple, cinnamon, pumpkin) in the most delicious, shareable ways. Whether you're looking to let the flavors of your usual pie recipes shine in a bite-sized way or need a dessert that doubles as decoration, these cupcakes will be the star of your dessert table this holiday.
Put those plates and cutlery away: cupcakes are the ultimate no-fuss dessert for a crowd. Oh so shareable, these delicious desserts are grab and go — no serving required! Although pumpkin pie recipes or Thanksgiving cookies might be your go-to seasonal dessert, adding some handheld treats to your celebration can give some variety to your usual spread. Whether baking is your jam or not (yet!) your favorite, these recipes are easy enough that anyone can create these holiday cakes, no stress required.
Best of all? These simple recipes are the perfect fun activity to do on Thanksgiving to bring the whole fam together! Pull out those piping bags to turn your sweet creations into adorable, Turkey Day-inspired decorations even the kids can help with. Be prepared: We suggest doubling your batch (or making a few different kinds) if you're feeding a crowd — these will be gobbled up in no time!
Apple Pie Cupcakes
Serve classic apple pie in cupcake form. Each one is topped with whipped cream and Granny Smith apple compote.
Get the Apple Pie Cupcakes recipe.
Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue
This is your favorite sweet potato casserole in dessert form!
Get the Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue recipe.
Chocolate-Pecan Cupcakes
You'll be delightfully surprised when biting into this chocolate cupcake that has a caramel-pecan center.
Get the Chocolate-Pecan Cupcakes recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
It doesn't get more fall this! These are packed with real pumpkin, warming spices and molasses for the ultimate festive fare.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Pecan Cupcakes with Spiced Vanilla Frosting
These spiced bites get extra holiday flair from store-bought candied orange slices.
Shake Your Tail Feathers Cupcake
Brightly colored candy melts are the secret behind those stunning tail feathers!
Get the Shake Your Tail Feathers Cupcake recipe from Woman's Day.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Orange Sour Cream Frosting
Switch up a fall favorite by adding freshly grated orange zest to the tangy sour cream frosting.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Orange Sour Cream Frosting recipe.
Carrot-Pineapple Cupcakes
Super simple DIY fruit flowers give carrot cake a tropical twist.
Get the Carrot-Pineapple Cupcakes recipe.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes
Satisfy your sweet and savory cravings with these rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with a peanut butter surprise.
Get the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes recipe.
RELATED: 25 Easy and Creative Chocolate Desserts That You Haven't Tried Yet
Sugared Lavender Cupcakes
It takes less than 10 minutes to create the adorable sugared lavender that tops these floral desserts.
Get the Sugared Lavender Cupcakes recipe.
Turkey Cupcakes
Salty pretzels and leftover Halloween candy turn these simple chocolate cupcakes into too-cute turkeys.
Get the Turkey Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Boston Cream Cupcakes
Pie, meet cupcake! Turn a classic dessert into cupcake form with these cream-filled bites.
Get the Boston Cream Cupcakes recipe.
Lemon Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
The secret to the pink frosting? Freeze dried strawberries in the buttercream give a pretty color and fruity taste that's anything but artificial.
Get the Lemon Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting recipe.
RELATED: 33 Most Delicious Lemon Desserts to Help Celebrate Warmer Weather
Ice Cream Cupcakes
Turn this no-bake, DIY dessert into a family activity by letting the kids help layer your ice cream and cookies of choice.
Get the Ice Cream Cupcakes recipe.
Buttermilk Cupcakes
Top classic vanilla cupcakes with edible flowers or candy for a customizable dessert that doubles as decoration!
Get the Buttermilk Cupcakes recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Can't get enough pumpkin spice? Let the mix shine in these bites topped with cream cheese frosting.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Apple Cupcakes
It takes less than 10 minutes to decorate these (homemade or store bought!) Red Delicious-inspired cupcakes.
Get the Apple Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day.
Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes
Save time and use boxed cake mix to make super-soft, bite-sized versions of Thanksgiving pie.
Get the Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
The cherry on top of these shareable carrot cake cupcakes? The super simple, cinnamon cream cheese frosting topped with roasted pecans.
Get the Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Cupcake Scarecrow
Turn store-bought cupcakes into a scarecrow centerpiece with the help of some frosting and decorative candy.
Get the Cupcake Scarecrow recipe from Woman's Day.
Expertise: Food writing and editing. Education: Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas (rock chalk!) About Me: As the Digital Culinary Editor at Delish, Taylor writes and updates recipe intros with an SEO-focus, co-creates and sends the daily newsletter, and offers team-wide support to ensure that recipes are the best they can be. She worked previously as a Freelance Editor on the Hearst Lifestyle group, where she updated recipes and galleries and contributed ideas for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Prevention, and more. Taylor loves to try out different restaurants and bakeries around Brooklyn and is always hunting for her new favorite coffee shop and wine bar. When she's not writing about everything lemon-blueberry or one of our many margaritas, she can most likely be found reading, browsing her favorite bookstores, or enjoying a little treat.
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