In need of some quick recipes for Thanksgiving dessert? We’ve got you covered with these simple one-layer cakes. From skillet and sheet cakes to Bundts, we’ve rounded up the best desserts to solve your last-minute Thanksgiving baking needs. Crowd-pleasing without any marathon baking, these recipes will send family and friends into a blissful post-turkey day slumber. Find more cakes in our One-Layer Cakes Special Issue, currently 20% off for our early Black Friday deals. Just use the promo code BAKE!
This traditional butter cake from Brittany, in northwest France, is one of the simplest, most satisfying of the French cakes—it doesn’t require layers, frosting, or any special equipment.
2. Butter Pecan Angel Food Cake
A browned butter glaze and toasted pecans add a dose of decadence to this light and fluffy cake.
This sheet cake is our answer to those Italian Cream Cake cravings when time is short. Each bite crunches with buttery pecans and sweet coconut flakes, complemented by a swooping layer of whipped cream on top.
4. Browned Butter and Orange Skillet Cake
Nutty browned butter and orange liqueur add an amazing depth of flavor to this ultra-moist skillet cake. Make sure the candied orange slices are completely dry before arranging on top to avoid crossing the line between perfectly moist and unpleasantly soggy.
5. German Chocolate Cake with Butterscotch Glaze
Chock full of sweet German’s chocolate and drizzled with a decadent butterscotch glaze, this Bundt cake is an easy and delicious alternative to its more involved layer cake cousin.
