Hump Day Snack: Turkey Pinata Cake

By: Amanda Marsteller

Related To:

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.

Who says turkey can't be served for dessert? If you truly believe that, you're not thinking big enough this Thanksgiving. To appropriately wow your dinner guests, pull out all the stops and make this "roasted" turkey cake, complete with sweet stuffing and a sugary surprise lurking deep inside. Sure this project requires three boxes of cake mix, but all that baking will be worth it when you slice into the frosted bird to reveal a colorful candy corn center. Don't worry, the center cut of cake doesn't go to waste either, as it's repurposed into toasted, cocoa-dusted cubes of stuffing that spill out of the turkey like the real thing. If all this attention to detail still doesn't satisfy your inner perfectionist, break out the fondant and roll some faux vegetables for artfully placing around your winged work of art. Finally, sit back, relax and let the compliments roll in, because you just won the Thanksgiving dessert round.

Get the details for recreating this enticing turkey cake yourself, and then get baking with more of Cooking Channel's most impressive Thanksgiving cake recipes:

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 Pumpkin Pie

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

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.

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.

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.

On TV

So Much Pretty Food Here