Thanksgiving is just around the corner for my American friends. Are you hosting? Or looking for something to bring to a family event? Sure, pumpkin pie is a classic but why not shake things up a little this year, do something unexpected and bring a pumpkin CAKE instead! Not just any pumpkin cake, a super fancy looking one that will make everyone think you slaved over it all day and that you’re super awesome baker extraordinaire. No one will have to know that you’re a total cheater and made it in less than 30 minutes. Want to know the cheaters secret?

First a warning: if you’re on a cleanse, a health nut, 100% organic, or a calorie counter you’re not going to like this. Hey I said it was fancy, not healthy. I’m all for being healthy and home cooking but there’s also a time and place to just cheat and be ok with it.

So this is what you need in your cheater’s toolbox: boxed cake mix (butter pecan, vanilla, or spiced), 1 can of pumpkin pie filling, one package of instant vanilla pudding, one tub of whipped cream cheese icing and some cinnamon (not shown).

First, for the cake, which is crazy easy. You are going to make a cake using only TWO ingredients. Take your boxed cake mix, forget what the instructions say for liquid and just mix it with the can of pumpkin.

Then place in round greased cake pans and cook as per instructions. So that probably took you about 10 minutes.

Then while the cakes are cooking, whip up your instant vanilla pudding and let it set for 5-10 minutes. Then the secret here is to add some cinnamon to turn it into a fancy cinnamon flavoured cream filling.That there was another 10 minutes.

Once you’re cakes are out of the oven and pretty much cooled down, spread the cinnamon filling between each layer and you’re fancy cake will start to take shape. Next spread a generous amount of the cream cheese icing on your cake. If you want to be extra fancy you can use a bread knife to make little rows of peaks around the cake.

And lastly to add some seasonal flare, get some inexpensive flowers in fall colours to fill the top. It will blow your guests away.

If you liked that idea, here’s some great ways to dress up your Thanksgiving table or some inspiration to show your gratitude for your hosts.