20 Thanksgiving Cupcakes You’ll Want To Bake Every Year

Thanksgiving is about coming together, sharing, and enjoying those little moments that make the holiday feel special and these Thanksgiving cupcakes are an easy snack or dessert to impress without the stress. From cozy fall flavors like pumpkin and cinnamon to playful designs inspired by the holiday, this roundup brings fun, delicious cupcake recipes that are perfect for celebrating.

In this roundup, you’ll find 20 Amazing Thanksgiving cupcake recipes that will inspire you to add a little extra sweetness to your holiday table. With a mix of flavors and decorations, you can make your cupcakes as simple or as show-stopping as you like, making them a memorable part of your Thanksgiving celebration.

A big thank you to some wonderfully talented Food Blogger Friends for their delicious cupcake recipes… Maria’s Mixing Bowl, Jersey Girl Cooks, The Foodie Affair, Caked by Katie, This Mom Cooks, Life With The Crust Cut Off, Mama Needs Cake, Manila Spoon, A Taste Of Madness, Spaceships & Laser Beams, Kim Schob, Hot Eats and Cool Reads, Out Numbered 3 to 1, Kudos Kitchen by Renee, Butter with a side of Bread, Tasty Cue, A Taste of Madness, Marathons & Motivation , a few from me too, right here on Pam’s Daily Dish

Tips on How To Make Thanksgiving Cupcake Recipes

• Use seasonal ingredients: Use ingredients like pumpkin puree, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, or maple syrup to highlight the cozy flavors of fall. These ingredients add natural sweetness and moisture, giving your cupcakes that warm, comforting taste perfect for Thanksgiving.
• Frost creatively but simply: Even a small swirl of cream cheese, maple, or cinnamon frosting can make your cupcakes look festive. Top with a sprinkle of chopped nuts, caramel drizzle, or edible fall/thanksgiving decorations for an extra holiday touch.
• Bake and store smartly: Bake cupcakes until a toothpick comes out clean, then let them cool completely before frosting. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day, or refrigerate for longer freshness. Frost just before serving for the best taste and texture.

20 Thanksgiving Cupcake Recipes

1. Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes

These Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes are a cute and festive Thanksgiving treat! Made with rich chocolate cake and playful turkey decorations, they’re perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.Using sour cream makes the texture of these cupcakes light and silky. This is a really fun recipe to decorate with the kiddos. The cupcakes come out so delicious.

Get the full recipe from: Pam’s Daily Dish

2. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe is the epitome of fall goodness, and you won’t be able to resist the warm, cozy flavors of these Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes.Or imagine serving them as a delightful finale to your Thanksgiving feast. No matter when you serve them, they are the ultimate autumnal dessert!Not only are these fluffy pumpkin cupcakes with luscious cream cheese frosting absolutely divine, but they’re also a fantastic dessert for any fall gathering.

Get the full recipe from: Jersey Girl Cooks

3. Buttermilk Cupcakes with Caramel Icing

Delicious Buttermilk Cupcakes topped with Caramel Icing and a mini candied apple! Fun fall treat for any gathering! Light and tender cupcake with just the right amount of sweetness in the caramel frosting.They’re a perfect little sweet and flavorful snack! Let’s enjoy Thanksgiving and these buttermilk cupcakes first!

Get the full recipe from: The Foodie Affair

4. Spiced Apple Cupcakes

These Spiced Apple Cupcakes are the perfect marriage of apple pie and delicious cupcakes. Moist, tender cupcakes filled with mashed homemade apple pie filling are topped with a rich, creamy caramel buttercream frosting for the most decadent fall flavor you’ve ever tasted.The spiced apple filling and caramel buttercream gives these cupcakes the perfect fall flavor.

Get the full recipe from: Maria’s Mixing Bowl

5. Whimsical Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Whimsical Caramel Apple Cupcakes bring all the cozy magic of Autumn and Thanksgiving into one sweet bite. These charming treats blend warm cinnamon-spiced apple cake with a swirl of silky caramel frosting, creating a playful twist on the classic caramel apple. Each cupcake feels fun, seasonal, and irresistibly comforting—perfect for adding a touch of festive joy to your Thanksgiving dessert table.

Get the full recipe from: Kudos Kitchen by Renee

6. Soft Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

Moist pumpkin cupcakes paired with salted caramel frosting are a must try fall treat! These cupcakes are easy to whip up and are perfect to serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea.Each cupcake is tender, warm, and full of pumpkin spice, then topped with a silky swirl of salted caramel frosting that melts into every bite. These treats are perfect for Thanksgiving, adding a comforting and festive touch to your holiday dessert lineup.

Get the full recipe from: This Mom Cooks

7. Honey Pumpkin Cupcakes (Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free)

Naturally-sweetened with honey, these dairy-free and gluten-free pumpkin cupcakes are wonderfully fluffy and topped with a delicious swirl of whipped cream cheese buttercream frosting.These naturally-sweetened honey pumpkin cupcakes will make for the perfect cozy autumn afternoon sweet treat or perhaps even a Thanksgiving dinner dessert.

Get the full recipe from: Caked by Katie

8. Apple Cider Cupcakes with Caramel Drizzle

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Caramel Drizzle bring all the cozy charm of fall into one irresistible bite. These tender, cider-infused cupcakes are topped with a silky caramel drizzle that adds just the right touch of sweetness. They’re a warm, inviting treat made for Thanksgiving, perfect for rounding out your holiday dessert table with something comforting, festive, and full of seasonal flavor.

Get the full recipe from: Life With The Crust Cut Off

9. Pumpkin Gingerbread Cupcakes

These Pumpkin Gingerbread Cupcakes are a delicious flavor combo. Perfect for the winter months and delicious enough to serve at holiday get-togethers.These cupcakes are a great Fall treat at Fall family gatherings and especially Thanksgiving! They’re incredibly easy to put together and they’re so easy to make from beginning to end.

Get the full recipe from: Mama Needs Cake

10. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in the flavors of fall with our Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes topped with a delectable cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy afternoon or as the star dessert at your holiday dinner, these cupcakes are a must-try! With just a few simple ingredients and minutes of prep work, you can enjoy bakery-quality treats at home.

Get the full recipe from: Marathons and Motivation

11. Best Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect little treats for celebrating Fall! Easy recipe that starts with yellow cake mix and yields soft, moist perfectly spiced pumpkin cupcakes!These semi homemade pumpkin spice cupcakes are to die for! They are so soft and fluffy and every bite is full of moist and flavorful cupcake and frosting goodness.

Get the full recipe from: Butter with a side of Bread

12. Pumpkin Cupcakes

A great dessert idea for Thanksgiving (or any time of year!). These homemade pumpkin cupcakes are a fun option to traditional pumpkin pie. They are incredibly easy to make, and, best of all, they offer an incredible flavor with just the right amount of pumpkin and spice.

Get the full recipe from: Spaceship and Laser Beams

13. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Whipped Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Every bite in these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Whipped Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting tastes like fall! Easy to make, perfect for parties or Thanksgiving!This recipe makes a big batch, so they’re perfect for any fall gathering, bake sales or gift to your family and friends.

Get the full recipe from: Hot Eats and Cool Reads

14. Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

These Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes have all the cozy flavors of classic pumpkin pie, topped with a luscious cinnamon-clove buttercream frosting. Perfect for autumn picnics, potlucks, or festive gatherings—these treats will be the star of your fall dessert table!

Get the full recipe from: Manila Spoon

15. Chocolate Coffee Mocha Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spice Frosting

Get ready to crave the taste of these Chocolate Coffee Mocha Cupcakes! They’re a coffee lovers’ dream – with the perfect topping of pumpkin spice frosting! If you’re looking for the perfect cupcake, this is it!These chocolate coffee cupcakes are the perfect sweets for fall. You can’t beat the flavor and taste – and that crazy good cocoa mixture flavor! Whip up the cupcake batter and get those cupcake liners ready!

Get the full recipe from: Kim Schob

16. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes recipe with pumpkin cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Super easy to make, this is a great fall dessert idea.Topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting, they’re the kind of treat that instantly makes your home smell festive and inviting. These delightful cupcakes shine brightest during Thanksgiving, adding a comforting and seasonal touch to your holiday table.

Get the full recipe from: A Taste of Madness

17. Pumpkin Cupcakes: How to Make the Perfect Autumn Treat!

These cozy, fragrant pumpkin cupcakes capture the heart of fall with warm spices, a tender crumb, and creamy frosting that feels like a sweet seasonal hug. They’re simple to make, loaded with comforting pumpkin flavor, and bake up beautifully for any festive gathering. Perfect for Thanksgiving, they bring a touch of autumn magic to dessert tables and add a cheerful, homemade charm to the holiday season.

Get the full recipe from: Tasty Cue

18. Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

A balanced blend of cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg create warm and flavorful spice cupcakes topped with homemade subtly sweet cream cheese frosting.Garnishing these light and fluffy cupcakes is a light sprinkle of cinnamon. The perfect dessert for the cooler months and pair perfectly with the scents and flavors of fall.

Get the full recipe from: Mama Needs Cake

19. Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes

These Thanksgiving turkey cupcakes are just adorable! These are a fun Thanksgiving treat that the kids can help to make, and everyone will be able to enjoy.They bring a sweet, festive touch to any dessert table and add a lighthearted flair the whole family can enjoy. Perfect for Thanksgiving, these cupcakes make the holiday feel even warmer, brighter, and more joyful.

Get the full recipe from: Outnumbered 3 to 1

20. Harvest Cupcakes with Creamy Cinnamon Frosting

These easy to make harvest cupcakes with creamy cinnamon frosting are a huge hit with everyone. Made simply with a cake mix and a few pantry ingredients. You are sure to love them and you don’t want to miss out on the most delicious, fluffy cinnamon frosting. They’re the perfect treat for Thanksgiving, adding a touch of autumn charm to your holiday table.

Get the full recipe from: Pam’s Daily Dish

Frequently Asked Questions on Thanksgiving Cupcake Recipes

How can I make my cupcakes taste more seasonal?

Try cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, maple extract, toasted nuts, or apple pieces. Even a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of spiced sugar can give them a festive finish.

Do Thanksgiving cupcakes freeze well?

Unfrosted cupcakes freeze great. Wrap each cupcake tightly, place them in a freezer-safe container, and store for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, then add fresh frosting and decorations once they’re completely defrosted.

Are these cupcakes kid-friendly?

Most Thanksgiving cupcake recipes are perfect for kids, especially flavors like vanilla spice, apple cinnamon, or pumpkin. Kids also enjoy helping with simple decorations like sprinkles or candy toppings.

Thanksgiving cupcakes are a wonderful way to bring the flavors and warmth of the season to your dessert table. From pumpkin spice and caramel apple to chocolate coffee, these cupcakes capture the essence of fall in every bite. They’re perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy treat at home.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoy these delicious Thanksgiving cupcake recipes that you’ll want to make year after year.

To save any of these recipes, you can pin on Pinterest. It’s a great way of saving your favorites for later on.

Please stop back again soon, there’s so many more recipes to see both sweet and savory, new ones go up every week and more roundups coming soon!

Bye for now…