Thanksgiving Piecaken
Introduction
Wow your Thanksgiving crowd with a show-stopping Piecaken—a creative dessert that layers classic holiday pies inside moist cake, all topped off with a luscious frosting. This dessert mashup is an unforgettable centerpiece, delivering three desserts in every slice. If you’re looking for a way to simplify your holiday dessert spread without sacrificing variety, a Thanksgiving Piecaken is the ultimate answer.
Why Thanksgiving Piecaken Steals the Show
Piecaken combines the flavors and textures of your favorite seasonal treats—think pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and spice cake—all in one jaw-dropping dessert. Instead of making (and cleaning up after) three separate confections, you get a single decadent masterpiece that everyone at the table will remember. Simple to assemble and easy to serve, Piecaken is the definition of a crowd-pleaser.
Layering Flavors in the Perfect Piecaken
The genius of Piecaken comes from its thoughtful layers. Start with a spiced cake batter, then gently nestle a pre-baked pie—like pecan or apple—right in the center before baking it together. Top the baked layers with a rich pumpkin or apple pie, finishing with a cloud of smooth cream cheese or whipped frosting. Each forkful gives you cake, pie, and frosting—no compromise needed!
Assembling Your Thanksgiving Piecaken
Use 9-inch pies for even stacking. Carefully layer the pies and cake to keep each piece intact and visually impressive. For easier slicing and the best texture, chill the assembled Piecaken before frosting, then let it come slightly to room temperature before serving. Garnish with candied pecans, cinnamon, or seasonal fruit for a festive touch.
Serving Suggestions for a Showstopper
Serve generous wedges with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. For a sophisticated finish, sprinkle the top with orange zest or toasted nuts to highlight the Piecaken’s autumn flavors. Pair with hot spiced cider or freshly brewed coffee to complement each decadent bite.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
A full-sized Piecaken serves 12 to 16, depending on the slice size. Each serving is a special occasion indulgence, averaging 500–600 calories, and is best enjoyed with loved ones—as intended by this over-the-top holiday treat!
Thanksgiving Piecaken Recap
By combining the best of Thanksgiving’s pies and cakes, Piecaken delivers all your favorite flavors in a single impressive dessert. Its layered approach gives you both variety and convenience, making it the centerpiece of any holiday celebration.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making your Thanksgiving grocery trip efficient and stress-free!
Instructions
- Prepare spice cake batter according to box instructions. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a deep 10-inch springform pan.
- Pour just enough cake batter into the bottom of your pan to coat (about 1/3 of the batter). Gently invert the pecan pie out of its tin (remove any excess crust) and place it in the pan, centered.
- Pour another third of the cake batter over the pecan pie, spreading gently to cover. Invert the pumpkin pie as above and center it atop the layer.
- Pour the remaining cake batter over the pumpkin pie to cover.
- Bake for 60–75 minutes, checking for doneness by passing a skewer through the cake (not the pies); it should come out clean. If browning too quickly, tent with foil for the final 20 minutes.
- Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. Carefully remove from the pan once set, then chill for easier frosting.
- Prepare the frosting: Beat softened butter and cream cheese until fluffy, add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, then vanilla and cinnamon until smooth. Spread evenly over the chilled Piecaken.
- Garnish with candied pecans, orange zest, or caramel sauce. Chill until ready to serve, letting it come to room temp for 30 minutes before slicing.
Weekly Meal Planning
Planning a big holiday meal? This Piecaken recipe fits seamlessly into a weekly meal plan by combining your dessert options, simplifying shopping and reducing prep work. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your Thanksgiving menu and auto-generate a smart shopping list that consolidates all your ingredients.
Planning Benefits:
– Makes grocery shopping efficient by listing all ingredients, grouped by store section.
– Calculates total ingredient quantities if you’re making multiple pies, cakes, or desserts.
– Reduces the risk of duplicate purchases and forgotten items.
– Streamlines big holiday meal prep so you can focus on enjoying the celebration.
Pro tip: Use CookifyAI’s scheduling tool to spot overlapping ingredients (like eggs, butter, or cream cheese) across your Thanksgiving menu—no more running back to the store or overspending!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Bake Time: 60–75 minutes
Cool & Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: About 3.5 hours (including chilling and frosting)
