Thanksgiving cupcakes are a simple way to give each person a simple and easy dessert for the holidays. What’s better than walking by a plate of cupcakes sitting on the table and just grabbing one casually as you pass?
These hand-held beauties are about to make your Thanksgiving desserts so much easier than you thought they could be.
If you’re looking for some really simple but adorable fall cupcakes that will have everyone’s attention, these need to be on your baking radar!
Related: The Best Thanksgiving Pies!
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Epic Thanksgiving Cupcakes
I’m all about creating and trying out various cupcake recipes. The way I feel about cupcakes isn’t something that I’ve hidden. I’m a fan of them anytime, anywhere.
With how busy I am as a mom and how quickly the time passes on a daily basis, the thought of being able to just grab a dessert and eat it as I’m on the move is so appealing to me! This is why cupcakes and I are going to be forever friends.
What I love about these cupcakes is not only the taste but how they’re decorated as well. I mean, seriously. How many cupcakes out there remind of you Thanksgiving but also in the same breath look like adorable Mickey Mouse cupcakes as well?
Related: Brownie Cupcakes with Peppermint Bark
Can you use other flavors of cake mix to make these fall brownies?
Absolutely. I just like the way that the spice cake mix tastes, but if you want a different flavor, just make it happen. There’s chocolate, vanilla, red velvet…so many great options. You could even have a variety of flavors if you wanted to, depending on how much time you have available to make them.
What is the difference between a muffin mix and a cake mix?
Great question. Some people might actually think they’re similar but they’re not. Muffin mixes will great denser-looking and tasting cupcakes that aren’t moist like the recipe should be.
Plus, when I think of muffins, I think more about breakfast than desserts. I don’t recommend using a muffin mix at all for this recipe because the outcome just isn’t going to be the same.
Related: The Best Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
How to make Thanksgiving cupcakes
As I mentioned earlier, you can make these fall cupcakes in a short amount of time. Just gather up your needed ingredients and supplies to get started!
Ingredients needed to make delicious fall cupcakes:
Spice Cupcakes:
- 1 box Spice cake mix
- Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box
- Muffin pan
- Cupcake liners
- Electric mixer/ mixing bowl
Pilgrim Hat:
- 1 package of brown fondant
- 1 package of black fondant
- a mini circle fondant cutter
- 3-inch template cut out of a pilgrim hat
- 1 edible black marker
Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:
- 3 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 6 C powdered sugar
- 5-7 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large piping bag with large star tip
- red, yellow and orange gel food coloring
Related: Chocolate Chip French Toast Bake
Recipe to make Mickey Mouse cupcakes: (aka Thanksgiving cupcakes)
Directions for the Pilgrim Hat
Start by sprinkling some powder sugar onto your cutting board or flat surface. Then, take your brown fondant and roll it out to be about 1/4 inch thick.
Next, cut out 24 of the pilgrim hats and place them onto a cookie sheet that you’ve lined with parchment paper so they won’t stick.
Once done, start to roll out your black fondant into the same 1/4 inch thickness. Once it’s rolled out, cut out 48 small circles that are for the ears.
Allow all to dry for 3 hours.
Next, take your black marker that is edible and draw a thick line down the middle of the hat.
Directions to make the cupcakes:
Start by preheating your oven per the temperature recommended on the cake mix box.
Get out your muffin or cupcake pan and line it with liners. Then, set aside.
Follow the directions on the cake mix box and mix together all the ingredients as listed.
Once done, start to fill your liners 2/3 full then place in the oven and bake for 22 minutes or until done.
Once cooked, take them out of the oven and let them cool completely.
Frosting Directions:
Taking a mixer, combine the powdered sugar, butter, whipping cream, and vanilla. Mix it all together on medium speed until smooth.
Then, divide out the frosting between 4 different bowls. Add in 1 color for each bowl but leave the 4th bowl plain.
Take the frosting and add to a piping bag. You’re going to want to add each color onto a different side of the piping bag.
Once done, pipe out the frosting onto the cupcakes. Once it’s added, place the hat onto the middle of the frosted cupcake and stick two ears on each side.

Epic Thanksgiving Cupcakes
These fun and creative Thanksgiving cupcakes are the perfect dessert for the holiday season!
Ingredients
- 1 box Spice cake mix
- Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box
- Muffin pan
- Cupcake liners
- Electric mixer/ mixing bowl
- 1 package of brown fondant
- 1 package of black fondant
- 1 mini circle fondant cutter
- 3-inch template cut out of a pilgrim hat
- 1 edible black marker
- 3 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 6 C powdered sugar
- 5-7 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large piping bag with large star tip
- red, yellow and orange gel food coloring
Instructions
Directions for the Pilgrim Hat
Start by sprinkling some powdered sugar onto your cutting board or flat surface. Then, take your brown fondant and roll it out to be about 1/4 inch thick.
Next, cut out 24 of the pilgrim hats and place them onto a cookie sheet that you've lined with parchment paper so they won't stick.
Once done, start to roll out your black fondant into the same 1/4 inch thickness. Once it's rolled out, cut out 48 small circles that are for the ears.
Allow all to dry for 3 hours.
Next, take your black marker that is edible and draw a thick line down the middle of the hat.
Directions to make the cupcakes:
Start by preheating your oven per the temperature recommended on the cake mix box.
Get out your muffin or cupcake pan and line it with liners. Then, set aside.
Follow the directions on the cake mix box and mix together all the ingredients as listed.
Once done, start to fill your liners 2/3 full then place in the oven and bake for 22 minutes or until done.
Once cooked, take them out of the oven and let them cool completely.
Frosting Directions:
Taking a mixer, combine the powdered sugar, butter, whipping cream, and vanilla. Mix it all together on medium speed until smooth.
Then, divide out the frosting between 4 different bowls. Add in 1 color for each bowl but leave the 4th bowl plain.
Take the frosting and add to a piping bag. You're going to want to add each color onto a different side of the piping bag.
Once done, pipe out the frosting onto the cupcakes. Once it's added, place the hat onto the middle of the frosted cupcake and stick two ears on each side.
Nutrition Information
Yield 24 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 602Total Fat 34gSaturated Fat 21gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 88mgSodium 534mgCarbohydrates 74gFiber 1gSugar 55gProtein 3g
Farah Zeb is a mother of five, including two children with special needs. She shares practical parenting tips and resources to help other families navigate daily challenges and create supportive, nurturing environments.