Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies
Transform your holiday dessert table into a playful Thanksgiving centerpiece with these delightful Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies! Featuring a buttery sugar cookie base, these treats are elevated with vibrant, creatively piped royal icing designs to resemble adorable turkeys. Complete with candy-coated chocolates, mini pretzels for feather details, and optional googly candy eyes, these cookies are as fun to decorate as they are to eat. Perfect for kids and adults alike, this recipe blends classic baking techniques with whimsical, festive flair. With just 30 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a batch of 24 cookies ready to charm your guests. Whether you’re hosting Friendsgiving or a family feast, these Thanksgiving-themed cookies are sure to be a sweet conversation starter!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 piece large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 batch royal icing
- 4 colors food coloring (orange, red, yellow, brown)
- 1 package mini candy eyes (optional)
- 1 cup mini pretzels (for feathers, optional)
- 1 cup candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&Ms)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together.
Divide the dough in half, shape each portion into a flat disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out circle shapes using a cookie cutter (approximately 3 inches in diameter).
Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Prepare royal icing according to your favorite recipe or package instructions, dividing it into separate bowls for each color (orange, red, yellow, and brown). Tint the icing using food coloring.
Use brown icing to pipe the turkey's body in the center of the cookie. Use the orange icing to create a beak, the red icing for the wattle, and yellow icing to add feather details around the edge of the circle.
Optional: Press mini pretzels into the icing to form additional feathers, and attach candy eyes with a small dot of icing for the face.
Allow the decorated cookies to set completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
254 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 9.8 g | 13% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.9 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 30 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 167 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.6 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.2 g | ||
| Protein | 2.4 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 13 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 38 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
