Hump Day Snack: Thanksgiving Dinner Cupcakes

By: Amanda Marsteller

In our humble opinion, Thanksgiving is superior to any other day of the year. In an effort to make this year's feast the best of all time (sorry, Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe), we're bringing you the recipes, how-tos and decorating ideas to help you become a Turkey Day pro.

Now that we've entered the feasting month of November, chances are that you're beginning to plan out your Thanksgiving dinner, course by course. Maybe you're even inspired to model dessert after the savory dishes themselves? If so, consider this sweet alternative to pumpkin pie: cupcakes that mimic all of Thanksgiving's classic dishes. Made with pumpkin cake, multicolored buttercream and a whole mess of fondant, these cupcakes take after a turkey leg, mashed potatoes with gravy and even green bean casserole. Obviously coloring and rolling fondant takes time, so only attempt these if you've got a backup kitchen crew to assist you in the prep, or make them the day before Thanksgiving so you're not stamping out fondant kernels of corn while your guests wait in hunger at the table. Get the full cupcake tutorial and then dig in to some of Cooking Channel's best Thanksgiving-ready sweets:

Next Up

Hump Day Snack: Mini Pumpkin-Pie-Slice Cookies

Create these adorable Mini Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies for a seasonal snack or to use as place settings on your Thanksgiving Day table.

How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice 

This famous combination of spices is used to flavor desserts, particularly pumpkin pie, and chances are you already have all (or most) of the ingredients to make the mix yourself.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie

Learn how to bake the ultimate pumpkin pie, straight from the pumpkin patch (or the can).

Nutrition Smackdown: Pumpkin Pie vs. Apple Pie

What is healthier? Pumpkin pie or apple pie?

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Crunch and Amaretto Whipped Cream

When pumpkin is pureed, it has a custard-like texture, lending itself beautifully to cheesecake. For a nice contrast, add candied almond crunch and Amaretto whipped cream.

Poached Pears: The Perfect Thanksgiving Dessert

Our poached pears recipe can be made days ahead, doesn't require any oven space and is decadent with flavor, but light enough to follow your Thanksgiving feast.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie: Which Squash Squashes the Competition?

Give your pumpkin pie a unique twist this year by using other squash instead. Try the best squash for pumpkin pie recipes from Devour the Blog, by Cooking Channel.

On TV

So Much Pretty Food Here