Thanksgiving Piecaken
Thanksgiving Piecaken is a culinary masterpiece that beautifully merges two favorites into one stunning dessert. This decadent dessert combines the rich flavors of a luscious cheesecake layer, a spiced cake layer, and the classic pumpkin pie, creating a delightful treat that is sure to impress your holiday guests. Imagine slicing through layers of creamy cheesecake, soft cake, and spiced pumpkin pie, each bite offering a symphony of flavors and textures. Worth making for its astounding presentation and delightful taste, this recipe is the perfect showstopper for your Thanksgiving table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Thanksgiving Piecaken is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration on a plate. One of the standout benefits of this recipe is its ease of preparation. Despite its impressive appearance, it utilizes straightforward ingredients, making it a family-friendly culinary project. Whether you are an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, this step-by-step guide will help you create a beautiful and delicious dessert without stress. Plus, it brings a cozy holiday vibe, making it the ultimate sweet treat for family gatherings!
Ingredients for Thanksgiving Piecaken
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Cheesecake Layer:
- 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 large eggs
-
Spiced Cake Layer:
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 cup butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon milk
-
Pumpkin Layer:
- 1 (9-inch) store-bought pumpkin pie
-
Frosting:
- 12 ounces unsalted butter (softened, about 3 sticks)
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (cold)
Step-by-Step Directions for Thanksgiving Piecaken
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For the Cheesecake Layer:
Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the flour, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Next, add the heavy cream and eggs one at a time, ensuring a smooth mixture. Pour this creamy blend into a greased springform pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until set. Once baked, let it cool before refrigerating for at least two hours to firm up. -
For the Spiced Cake Layer:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In another mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vegetable oil, vanilla, and one egg until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and spices. Gradually alternate adding this dry mixture with the milk to the wet mixture until everything is well incorporated. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. -
For the Frosting:
While your layers are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and enough cold heavy whipping cream to achieve the desired frosting consistency, adding cinnamon if desired. -
Assembling the Thanksgiving Piecaken:
Once your cheesecake and cake layers have cooled, trim them for uniformity if necessary. Begin by laying down the cheesecake layer as your base. Place the cake layer on top, then generously frost the sides and top with the creamy frosting, creating a beautiful finish. For an extra festive touch, serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top if desired.
Tips & Tricks
To make your Thanksgiving Piecaken truly special, consider these chef secrets: Start with room temperature ingredients, especially the cream cheese and eggs to ensure a smoother batter. If you’re looking to elevate flavors, try incorporating a splash of maple syrup into the spiced cake mix for an extra holiday twist. Additionally, using an offset spatula can make frosting your Piecaken easier and prettier. Lastly, don’t rush the chilling process; letting your cheesecake layer set fully will give you clean, beautiful slices.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This stunning dessert pairs beautifully with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for an inviting presentation. For an added touch, serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream for contrast. Additionally, pairing your Thanksgiving Piecaken with a hot cup of spiced chai or a classic apple cider can create a cozy dessert experience that enhances your holiday celebrations.
Nutritional Information
While indulging in this heavenly Piecaken is certainly a treat, it comes with a certain indulgence note. Each slice offers robust flavors but also contains a good amount of calories and sugars due to the creamy layers and frosting. However, it’s important to remember that this dessert is perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season, making those extra calories worth it for the indulgent memories created!
Storing Tips & Variations for Thanksgiving Piecaken
If you find yourself with leftovers (if that ever happens!), storing your Piecaken is simple. Cover it well with plastic wrap and refrigerate, where it can last for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you may freeze individual slices, wrapped carefully in plastic and foil, then sealed in a freezer bag. When craving it later, thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. If you’re looking to tweak the recipe, consider switching up the spices or adding flavors like chocolate or caramel to the cake layer for a unique twist.
Conclusion for Thanksgiving Piecaken
Don’t wait another moment to create this beautiful Thanksgiving Piecaken! With its perfect blend of textures and flavors, it’s destined to become a holiday favorite. Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and craft this delightful dessert that will surely leave your guests in awe. Trust me—it’s a recipe you won’t want to miss!
FAQs
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Can I make the cheesecake layer the day before?
Yes! Preparing the cheesecake layer a day in advance allows it to chill properly, making for a firmer texture that’s easier to slice. -
Can I use homemade pumpkin pie instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite homemade pumpkin pie recipe; just ensure it’s baked and cooled before assembling. -
What type of flour should I use for the cake layer?
All-purpose flour works perfectly for this recipe, but cake flour can also provide a lighter texture if you prefer. -
How can I achieve a smooth frosting?
Make sure to beat the butter well before adding powdered sugar and use cold heavy cream to help achieve a creamy consistency. -
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour in both the cake and cheesecake layers with a gluten-free blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Creating the Thanksgiving Piecaken is a heartwarming way to celebrate the season, and I hope you’ll try making it! Happy baking!
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Thanksgiving Piecaken
- Total Time: 125 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A culinary masterpiece that beautifully merges cheesecake, spiced cake, and pumpkin pie into one stunning dessert perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- Cheesecake Layer:
- 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 large eggs
- Spiced Cake Layer:
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 cup butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon milk
- Pumpkin Layer:
- 1 (9-inch) store-bought pumpkin pie
- Frosting:
- 12 ounces unsalted butter (softened, about 3 sticks)
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (cold)
Instructions
- For the Cheesecake Layer: Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in flour, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Add heavy cream and eggs one at a time. Pour into greased springform pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until set. Cool and refrigerate for at least two hours.
- For the Spiced Cake Layer: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream softened butter and packed brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vegetable oil, vanilla, and one egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and spices. Alternate adding dry mixture with milk to wet mixture until well combined. Pour into greased cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- For the Frosting: Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in vanilla and enough heavy whipping cream to achieve desired consistency, adding cinnamon if desired.
- Assembling: Trim cheesecake and cake layers for uniformity. Lay cheesecake layer as base, place cake layer on top, then frost the sides and top with creamy frosting. Serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
Start with room temperature ingredients for smoother batter. For added flavor, consider adding a splash of maple syrup to the cake mix. Allow the cheesecake layer to chill fully for best slicing results.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 95 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
