Top 25 Thanksgiving Cupcakes to Make

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in comforting and delicious flavors, and what better way to celebrate than with cupcakes? These small, sweet treats combine the best of autumn’s ingredients—from pumpkin and apples to cranberries and spices. Here are the top 25 Thanksgiving cupcakes you should try this holiday season. Each recipe is designed to bring warmth and joy to your Thanksgiving table!

1. Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• Whipped cream for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray with paper liners.
2. Whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg into another bowl.
4. Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture until just mixed.
5. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool before topping with whipped cream.

2. Maple Cinnamon Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan.
2. Cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time.
3. Mix in the maple syrup and milk.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
5. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Spoon the batter into the liners and bake for 20 minutes.

3. Salted Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 medium apples, peeled and grated
• Salted caramel sauce for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray.
2. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in one bowl.
3. Add cream, butter, and sugar to another bowl, then the egg and grated apples.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
5. Spoon the batter into the liners and bake for 22 minutes. Once cooled, drizzle with salted caramel sauce.

4. Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Frosting

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup milk
• Brown sugar frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan.
2. Mix mashed sweet potatoes, butter, and sugar in a bowl until smooth.
3. Add eggs one at a time, followed by milk.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in another bowl.
5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Bake for 25 minutes and top with brown sugar frosting.

5. Cranberry Spice Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberries (fresh or dried)
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ginger
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup milk

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add eggs one by one.
3. Stir in vanilla extract and milk.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
5. Add the cranberries and fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Bake for 20 minutes.

6. Pecan Pie Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup maple syrup

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan.
2. Mix flour, brown sugar, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, eggs, and maple syrup.
4. Add chopped pecans to the dry mixture, and then fold in the wet ingredients.
5. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 22 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. Mix pumpkin puree, butter, sugar, and egg in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet and pour half the batter into each liner.
5. Add a spoonful of cream cheese in the center, and swirl with a toothpick. Bake for 25 minutes.

8. Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large apples, grated
• 2 large eggs
• Cream cheese frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add grated apples and eggs.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
5. Spoon batter into liners and bake for 22 minutes. Top with cream cheese frosting.

9. Gingerbread Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake tray.
2. Mix butter, brown sugar, molasses, and eggs until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, sift flour, ginger, and cinnamon.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, followed by milk.
5. Spoon into cupcake liners and bake for 18 minutes.

10. Caramel Pecan Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup caramel sauce

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cupcake pan with liners.
2. Cream together butter and sugar, then beat in eggs one at a time.
3. Stir in the flour, then fold in the chopped pecans.
4. Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Once cooled, drizzle caramel sauce over each cupcake.

11. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup brewed coffee
• Whipped cream for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, butter, sugar, and eggs.
3. Sift together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir in brewed coffee.
5. Spoon the batter into liners and bake for 18 minutes. Top with whipped cream.

12. Chai Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cardamom
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup brewed chai tea

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cupcake liners.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder, cardamom, and cloves.
4. Fold the dry mixture into the wet and mix in the brewed chai tea.
5. Bake for 22 minutes and top with cinnamon buttercream once cooled.

13. Maple Pecan Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup maple syrup

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake tray.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and chopped pecans.
3. In another bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and eggs.
4. Stir in maple syrup, then gradually fold in the dry ingredients.
5. Spoon the batter into liners and bake for 22 minutes.

14. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Filled Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. Mix pumpkin puree, butter, sugar, and egg in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet and pour half the batter into each liner.
5. Add a spoonful of cream cheese in the center, and swirl with a toothpick. Bake for 25 minutes.

15. Spiced Cranberry Cupcakes with Orange Zest Frosting

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberries, fresh or dried
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Zest of 1 orange
• Orange zest frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake tray.
2. In a bowl, mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.
3. Stir in orange zest.
4. Sift together flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
5. Gently fold in cranberries, spoon the batter into the liners, and bake for 22 minutes. Top with orange zest frosting.

16. Toffee Pumpkin Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup toffee bits

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar together, then add the egg and pumpkin puree.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, then fold in the toffee bits.
5. Spoon batter into liners and bake for 22 minutes. Once cooled, garnish with extra toffee bits.

17. Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• Cinnamon swirl mixture (2 tbsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp butter, melted, 2 tbsp brown sugar)

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar, then add eggs and milk.
3. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Swirl in the cinnamon mixture before spooning the batter into the liners.
5. Bake for 20 minutes. Drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.

18. Apple Pie Cupcakes with Crumble Topping

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large apples, peeled and diced
• Crumble topping (½ cup flour, ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup brown sugar)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and fold in diced apples.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon, then fold into the wet mixture.
4. In a small bowl, prepare the crumble topping by mixing flour, butter, and brown sugar.
5. Spoon batter into liners and top each with the crumble mixture. Bake for 25 minutes.

19. Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter, browned
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan.
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter until browned, then let cool slightly.
3. In a bowl, mix browned butter and sugar until smooth, then add eggs and pumpkin puree.
4. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually fold into the wet mixture.
5. Spoon batter into liners and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before serving.

20. Caramel Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp pumpkin spice
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup caramel sauce

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs and pumpkin puree.
3. Sift together flour, baking soda, and pumpkin spice, and fold into the wet ingredients.
4. Spoon the batter into cupcake liners and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Drizzle caramel sauce on top of the cooled cupcakes.

21. Molasses Cupcakes with Creamy Ginger Frosting

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• Creamy ginger frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter, sugar, and molasses together, then add the eggs.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, ginger, and cinnamon.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet.
5. Bake for 18 minutes and frost with creamy ginger frosting once cooled.

22. Pumpkin S’mores Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
• Marshmallow frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and pumpkin puree.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then fold in graham cracker crumbs.
5. Bake for 20 minutes and top with marshmallow frosting.

23. Maple Buttercream Cupcakes

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup maple syrup
• Maple buttercream for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake tray.
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs one by one.
3. Stir in maple syrup.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and bake for 20 minutes. Top with maple buttercream.

24. Cranberry Orange Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberries
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• White chocolate frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. In a bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and orange zest, then add the eggs.
3. In another bowl, sift together flour and baking powder.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then stir in the cranberries.
5. Spoon batter into liners and bake for 22 minutes. Top with white chocolate frosting once cooled.

25. Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Frosting

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Spiced frosting for topping

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs and apple cider.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
5. Bake for 20 minutes and top with spiced frosting.

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Conclusion

Thanksgiving is all about bringing people together, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious assortment of cupcakes? From classic fall flavors like pumpkin and apple to indulgent treats like caramel and toffee, these 25 Thanksgiving cupcakes are perfect for satisfying every sweet tooth at the table. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying out new recipes, these festive cupcakes are sure to be a hit with family and friends. So, pick your favorites, get baking, and enjoy the warmth, flavors, and joy of the holiday season!