Heavenly Thanksgiving Piecaken Recipe: Sweet Dream Dessert

Blending tradition with culinary innovation, this mouthwatering piecaken recipe seamlessly merges multiple dessert classics into one spectacular holiday treat.

Layers of rich cake and flaky pie create a stunning centerpiece that will leave everyone speechless.

Bakers seeking a showstopping dessert will adore this unique creation that challenges conventional baking boundaries.

The piecaken combines the best elements of pie and cake in a single, indulgent masterpiece.

Imagine the delighted expressions when you present this extraordinary dessert at your Thanksgiving table.

Each carefully crafted slice reveals intricate layers of flavor and texture.

Prepare to wow your guests with this impressive and delicious holiday dessert that elevates the traditional Thanksgiving experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 486 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients Behind the Thanksgiving Piecaken

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives structure and softness to your delightful dessert.
• Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps create a golden, tender crumb with perfect caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Theal rising agent that ensures your cake layers are light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances all other flavors and balances the sweetness in the cake.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a smooth, velvety texture in the cake.
• Whole Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind ingredients for a consistent, silky batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic essence that elevates the entire dessert's flavor profile.
• Eggs: Act as the crucial binding agent that gives structure and richness to the cake.

• Heavy Cream: Whips into a cloud-like frosting that adds luxurious, light texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream frosting.
• Pecans: Offer a delightful crunch and nutty depth to complement the sweet layers.
• Caramel Drizzle: Provides a golden, glossy finish with intense, buttery sweetness.
• Chocolate Shavings: Creates an elegant, decadent visual and textural contrast.

Tools That Help Craft the Thanksgiving Piecaken

• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining cake ingredients and mixing batter smoothly.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for beating cream and blending cake ingredients thoroughly.
• 10-inch Springform Pan: Crucial for layering cake and pie, with removable sides for easy serving.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for accurately measuring dry and wet ingredients.
• Toothpick: Quick way to check cake doneness by inserting near the edge.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape mixing bowl cleanly.
• Cooling Rack: Allows piecaken to cool completely after baking.

How to Assemble a Thanksgiving Piecaken That Wows

• Mix Cake Goodness

Grab a large bowl and blend flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Toss in softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Whip everything until silky smooth. Crack eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

• Create Delightful Layers

Grease a 10-inch springform pan generously. Pour half the cake batter into the pan. Gently nestle the pre-baked pie right in the center, keeping it perfectly level. Carefully spread remaining batter over the pie, completely hiding it from view.

• Bake to Perfection

Heat your oven to 350F (175C). Slide the piecaken inside and bake for about 1 hour. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the edge – it should come out clean. Let the piecaken cool completely inside the pan.

• Whip Up Dreamy Frosting

While cooling, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft, billowy peaks form.

• Decorate with Flair

Once cooled, lavish the top and sides with whipped cream frosting. Sprinkle with toasted pecans, drizzle caramel, or scatter chocolate shavings for a showstopping finale.

Smart Variations for Your Thanksgiving Piecaken

• Ensure your pie is completely cooled before nestling it into the cake batter to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain structural integrity.
• Prepare the cake batter and pie a day in advance, refrigerating separately to save time on the day of assembly and reduce holiday kitchen stress.
• Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements to create a celiac-friendly piecaken that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.
• Experiment with different pie and cake pairings like apple pie with spice cake, cherry pie with chocolate cake, or pecan pie with carrot cake for endless delicious variations.
• Replace butter with dairy-free margarine, use almond milk instead of dairy milk, and substitute whipped coconut cream for the frosting to create a delectable dairy-free version that everyone can enjoy.

Serving Ideas for Thanksgiving Piecaken That Pop

• Festive Feast Companion: Pair this decadent piecaken with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy, cold contrast to the warm, rich dessert.
• Holiday Drink Pairing: Serve alongside a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a smooth bourbon to complement the sweet and rich flavors of the piecaken.
• Elegant Presentation Trick: Dust the top with powdered sugar or cinnamon for a beautiful, professional finishing touch that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.
• Seasonal Garnish Options: Sprinkle fresh cranberries or candied pecans around the base of the piecaken to add a festive, colorful garnish that celebrates the Thanksgiving spirit.

Storing and Scheduling Your Thanksgiving Piecaken

• Store the piecaken covered in plastic wrap or inside an airtight container to maintain freshness for 3-4 days. Refrigeration helps preserve the delicate cream frosting and keeps the cake moist.
• Slice the piecaken into individual portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to retain texture and flavor.
• Allow refrigerated piecaken to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This helps soften the frosting and brings out the rich, layered flavors of the dessert.
• Cut slices with a warm, clean knife for neat presentation. Wipe the blade between each cut to ensure smooth, beautiful servings that showcase the pie-inside-cake marvel.

FAQs

• What is a Piecaken?

A Piecaken is a unique dessert that combines an entire pie baked inside a cake layer, creating a delightful fusion of two classic desserts in one spectacular treat.

• Can I use different types of pie in my Piecaken?

Absolutely! You can experiment with various pie fillings like apple, cherry, or pumpkin to create your own signature Piecaken flavor combination.

• Do I need any special equipment to make a Piecaken?

A springform pan is recommended to help easily remove the layered dessert, but a deep cake pan can also work if you’re careful during the baking and removal process.

• Is Piecaken difficult to make for beginner bakers?

While it requires some patience and careful layering, a Piecaken is achievable for most home bakers with basic baking skills and attention to detail during assembly.

Decadent Thanksgiving Piecaken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Layered Thanksgiving Piecaken merges classic holiday desserts into one spectacular creation. Bakers skillfully combine pie and cake for a memorable seasonal centerpiece that delights guests with its innovative approach.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups (720 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups (340 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) buttermilk
• 1 store-bought or homemade 9-inch pumpkin or pecan pie
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps vanilla extract
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Batter Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base.
2. Liquid Integration: Blend softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture, stirring until achieving a smooth, silky consistency.
3. Egg Incorporation: Fold eggs into the batter one at a time, ensuring complete integration and a homogeneous texture.
4. Pan Arrangement: Thoroughly grease a 10-inch springform pan, then layer half the cake batter across the bottom, creating a solid foundation.
5. Pie Placement: Position the pre-baked pie precisely in the center of the batter, then carefully cover with remaining cake mixture, completely encasing the pie.
6. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) with the rack centered, then bake the piecaken for approximately 1 hour until a toothpick inserted near the edge comes out clean.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Allow the piecaken to cool completely in the pan, then release and generously frost with whipped cream made from heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
8. Presentation: Embellish the exterior with toasted pecans, caramel drizzle, or delicate chocolate shavings to create a stunning culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oven heat at 350F to ensure even baking and prevent pie from burning or cake from undercooking.
• Pie Positioning: Center the pre-baked pie precisely in cake batter to guarantee uniform cake coverage and balanced texture throughout.
• Moisture Management: Use room temperature ingredients to create smoother batter and prevent potential curdling during mixing.
• Frosting Technique: Whip cream at cold temperature for maximum volume and stabilize by chilling mixing bowl beforehand to achieve perfect billowy peaks.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 486
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg