I Tried the PieCaken, the 4-in-1 Thanksgiving Dessert Worth a Spot on Your Holiday Table
Updated: Feb. 08, 2024
Behold: the only Thanksgiving dessert you'll ever need. The PieCaken is made up of pecan pie, pumpkin pie, spice cake, cinnamon buttercream and apple pie filling.
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Thanksgiving is all about tradition, so you’ll never find me snarking at the classics, like a perfectly roasted turkey or creamy mashed potatoes—or finishing with a picturesque pumpkin pie. However, as much as I’m into the beloved basics, I’m not opposed to spicing it up with new options on the table. And if you’re considering the same, let the PieCaken be the addition you try this year. I guarantee your guests have never had anything quite like this four-in-one dessert (I certainly hadn’t).
What is the PieCaken?
The Original T-Day PieCaken from PieCaken Bakeshop combines four desserts into each slice. It starts with pecan pie on the bottom, pumpkin pie in the middle and spice cake on top. Cinnamon buttercream is found between each layer and covers the outside of the creation with an oat crumble. It’s finished off with apple pie filling on the very top. With each slice, you get multiple desserts, meaning you’ll never have to choose between pies ever again (but I hope you never were anyway).
VIA MERCHANT
I Tried It
Original T-Day PieCaken
The PieCaken is four desserts in one, comprised of pecan pie, pumpkin pie, spice cake and apple pie filling.
PieCaken Features
The PieCaken is 7 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall, weighing in at nearly 6 pounds. Each one serves about 10 to 12 people, so there’s sure to be plenty for your ThanÂksgiving celebration. After slicing into the PieCaken myself, I can say with certainty that you can get at least 12 slices out of it. However, since it’s such a rich, filling dessert, I don’t doubt you could get a few extra slices if you’re more conservative with your cuts.
How We Tested ItÂ
Diving into a Thanksgiving dessert of this caliber is not for the weak, so I threw on my stretchy pants and got to work like the serious journalist that I am. My PieCaken was delivered frozen and with dry ice via Goldbelly—in a quick two days, might I add. I unpacked it from its boxes and followed the instructions by leaving it in its original wrapping and placing it in the fridge to let it defrost overnight. I received the PieCaken on a Thursday, but I didn’t cut it open until Sunday evening. According to Goldbelly, I could’ve refrigerated the dessert for up to seven days or placed it in the freezer for up to three months, so I was well within the time period for optimal freshness.
Once I admired the beauty, I was ready to cut open the four-in-one dessert. Right off the bat, I was surprised that the PieCaken held together so well. I was concerned that the many layers would result in a mashup on my plate, but each pie, cake and frosting layer was distinct, and the outside didn’t get damaged during delivery.
Testing Each Layer
I first tasted each layer separately, starting with the pecan pie. Now, I’m not a fan of pecan pie (normally), but this didn’t have an overwhelming nutty flavor, so I enjoyed it. As a pumpkin pie fan, that’s the layer I was looking forward to the most, and wow, it delivered. It was smooth and flavorful, without an intense cinnamon flavor. The spice cake was a little bit on the dry side, but the spice aspect really came through and was almost a palate cleanser for the rest of the dessert.
The apple pie filling on top, while not plentiful, was a nice way to finish off the treat and held its own in the flavor department. The star in my eyes, however, was the cinnamon buttercream. It was so smooth and had the right amount of sweetness. Seriously, I could have scrapped the frosting off each layer with a spoon and been happy.
The pecan pie and pumpkin pie each have their own crust, which you’d think would get a bit soggy over time, but I didn’t experience that at all. The crusts had a nice bite and really made the pie layers shine.
My two favorite layers were the pumpkin pie and cinnamon buttercream, so eating them together was a true treat. The PieCaken allowed me to make my own special bites of different desserts I wouldn’t have normally put together on the same utensil.
Serving Size
I will say that the PieCaken is rich—that’s why I said earlier on that I can see it serving more than 12 people because you might not even need your usual-sized slice. I had half of the suggested serving size, and it was enough to satisfy my sweet tooth (though I did contemplate going back for seconds for that pumpkin pie and cinnamon buttercream combo).
I also cut myself a slice two days after opening the dessert from its original packaging—hey, I take my role as PieCaken Taster™ very seriously—and the layers were just as fresh. The only difference was that the spice cake seemed a little drier, but otherwise, I had no complaints. I also had family members try it two days after opening, and no one pointed out any freshness issues. What I found interesting, however, is that everyone had a different favorite part. My husband was all about the cinnamon buttercream, my mom loved the spice cake with the cinnamon buttercream and my stepdad and my older brother were pumpkin pie fans.
Since there are a lot of components to this dessert, you might be thinking that it’s too much. Why not just leave them separate? It’s gimmicky! But, dear reader, I don’t think that’s the case. It’s fun, it’s different and since each layer is so distinct, you’re not just getting a mush on your plate. It’s not just an Instagram-worthy moment—though it’s pretty enough to grace your feed—and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the first dessert to disappear on your Thanksgiving table. It’s one of those “I have to try it” situations.
Pros
- Four desserts in one
- Delicious flavor
- Combines already beloved holiday favorites
- Unique dessert centerpiece
- Serves 10 to 12 people (if not more!)
- Quick shipping
- Arrives frozen and thaws overnight
- Comes in other varieties
Cons
- Pricey
FAQ
Where did the PieCaken originate?
Zac Young, a pastry chef, created the PieCaken in 2015. “The Turducken of Cakes,” as it’s called, was never meant to be a retail item, but just a special for a restaurant in a New York City hotel. It was a hit overnight and people began asking if they could order an entire cake. The rest is history.
How do you store the PieCaken?
The dessert is shipped frozen with dry ice. You can place the PieCaken (in its original packaging) in the refrigerator for up to seven days or in the freezer for up to three months.
How do you serve the PieCaken?
When you’re getting ready to cut into this beauty, allow the frozen PieCaken to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. By the next day, you’ll be greeted with a ready-to-slice-into dessert.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
If you’re a bit skeptical that a single cake comprised of multiple desserts could live up to the hype, see what other real-life tasters have to say about the PieCaken:
“I think this PieCaken was the BEST dessert I’ve put in my mouth. Huge HIT!!! Perfection inside this dessert,” writes Cindy F., a verified purchaser.
Patricia J., another verified buyer, shares, “Everything went well! The delivery [was] exactly on time, the storage to keep it fresh, the transport to the family gathering, the appearance, the taste—all were superb. Couldn’t have asked for a better product.”
“Oh, my goodness! One of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten. I honestly thought the combination sounded kind of gross, but we were so very pleasantly surprised. Truly outstanding,” writes James E., a confirmed buyer.
Product Comparison
While the Original T-Day PieCaken can be enjoyed throughout the festive season, PieCaken Bakeshop makes a range of other tiered desserts designed for other holidays. (Sadly, we shouldn’t expect a Halloween-specific PieCaken in our future, as Young says that holiday is meant to be celebrated with candy.)
- The St. PatCaken: whiskey pecan pie, Bailey’s cheesecake, Guinness green velvet cake and salted caramel buttercream
- The PassCaken: matzo-crusted coconut macaroon pie, flourless chocolate cake with raspberry mousse and gold-coated chocolate and sea salt matzo crumble
- The Red, White & Blueberry PieCaken: red velvet cake, vanilla cheesecake, wild blueberry pie and lemon frosting
- The Christmas PieCaken: chocolate pecan pie, eggnog cheesecake, red velvet cake, cherry pie filling and ameretto butter cream
- The Strawberry Lemon PieCaken: lemon cake, strawberry swirl cheesecake, zesty lemon frosting and strawberry rhubarb pie
- The Red Velvet PieCaken: chocolate pecan pie, vanilla cheesecake, red velvet cake and strawberry-champagne buttercream
Final Verdict
No matter where you wind up this Thanksgiving, there’s sure to be all the usual suspects come dessert time. But if you’re looking for a standout piece that’ll have family and friends flocking for a slice, look no further than the PieCaken. It may seem a bit gimmicky, but it’s truly (and surprisingly) delicious. Plus, you can’t get much more festive than this!
Where to Buy the PieCaken
The Original T-Day PieCaken is available through Goldbelly for $99.95 (with free shipping). A bit pricey? Sure, but when you consider that you get four desserts in one magnificent-looking bite, it makes it all worth it.
VIA MERCHANT
I Tried It
Original T-Day PieCaken
Known as “The Turducken of Cakes,” this epic four-in-one layered dessert serves 10 to 12 people and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Originally Published: November 21, 2022
