What Is a PieCaken—and Where Do I Buy It?
Updated: Nov. 21, 2022
You've heard of a turducken—but how about a PieCaken? It's the pinnacle of outrageous Thanksgiving desserts.
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If there was ever a year to treat your family to a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving dessert experience, this is the year. It’s time to grab a couple forks and prepare for…the PieCaken. It’s a wonder to behold! Here’s everything you need to know about this behemoth treat.
What is a PieCaken?
As its name suggests, PieCaken is a three-layer dessert with one cake layer and two entire pies inside. The bottom layer of this dessert is sweet pecan pie, followed by a layer of pumpkin pie and finally a spice cake layer. Both pie layers even have real pie crust. A rich and silky cinnamon frosting runs through each layer and covers the entire cake.
The top is decorated with fluted mounds of frosting and a dollop of fresh, apple pie filling. It’s the dessert world’s answer to the turducken. And, it’s so pretty, it’s practically a Thanksgiving decoration. It also made the cut for our top Goldbelly food gifts.
The genius responsible for this crazy Thanksgiving dessert is award-winning pastry chef Zac Young, a frequent judge of shows like Chopped, and a featured chef on Top Chef: Just Desserts and the Cooking Channel’s Unique Sweets. In 2015, Zac created this twist on three classic holiday desserts, and the PieCaken has been a legend ever since.
What does PieCaken taste like?
You may be wondering if the flavor of a PieCaken really lives up to the hype—and I’m here to tell you that it does! It’s like tasting an entire Thanksgiving dessert table all in one bite.
The pumpkin pie layer is smooth and creamy with a hint of ginger, while the pecan pie has a deep, brown sugar sweetness plus a crunch from whole pecans in the filling. The soft, moist cake layer is full of holiday spices like nutmeg and clove. That addictive cinnamon buttercream brings everything together, along with a crumbly oat streusel pressed all around the outside. Not surprisingly, one small slice of this 6-pound cake is more than enough!
Oh, and if you’re up for a challenge? Our Test Kitchen developed its very own PieCaken recipe. You can also order a Christmas PieCaken for your holiday feast.
Where to Buy a PieCaken
You can order your PieCaken from the PieCaken Bakeshop through Goldbelly. The original, 8-inch pie cake is available now. The cakes are shipped nationwide and are delivered frozen. This dessert can be stored frozen for up to three months—meaning you can order a PieCaken now and have it ready well in advance for your holiday table. While you’re at it, learn where to order a turkey as well as how to deliver a full Thanksgiving feast.
Let the PieCaken sit at room temperature for three hours, then slice and serve. Just one dessert will feed 10-12 people—and each one of them will remember it for years to come.
