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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes

    Published: Nov 3, 2019 · Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by Food, Fun & Faraway Places. This post may contain affiliate links 28 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Cupcakes that look like a turkey.

    Aren't these Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes adorable? Your kiddos will have so much fun helping, and there are a lot of little jobs they can do!

    Cupcakes made to look like a turkey.

    We always had so much fun on Thanksgiving morning. It seems we started a tradition without even realizing it.

    When I was a kid, my mom always made biscuits first thing on Thanksgiving morning as she used them to make her amazing stuffing. She always made extras so my brother and sister and I could have them for breakfast.

    We used to slather them with butter and jelly. What a great memory! Now I have to make biscuits on Thanksgiving morning, even if we're going out to dinner.

    Why This Recipe Works

    The cupcakes portion of the recipe is super easy to make and turns out delicious. The homemade frosting is so creamy - nothing like what you'd buy at your grocery store!

    Decorating the cupcakes makes a great family activity, and the kids will love showing off their creations.

    If you have grandkids coming over (or you are visiting them) you can make the cupcakes ahead of time and just help them decorate. This carrier will hold 24 of the cupcakes for transporting.

    This is the perfect treat to bring to school for that Thanksgiving party, and you'll have fun with the kids while putting them together!

    Enjoy the time with your kids while you can. I know when you are in the throes of parenting it seems like they will never grow up. And then they're gone. Now excuse me while I go cry in a corner.

    These adorable Turkey Cupcakes are the perfect dessert recipe for that Thanksgiving party at school! Cupcakes are my favorite dessert, and this recipe is pretty easy. Get the kids to help!

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    To make these Thanksgiving turkey cupcakes, you'll need flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, canola oil, and vanilla.

    For the chocolate frosting, you'll need unsalted butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and heavy cream.

    For the royal icing, you'll need egg whites, powdered sugar, cream of tartar, and red and orange food coloring.

    Finally, to decorate these easy turkey cupcakes, you'll need Fudge Stripe Cookies, Oreo Cookies, candy corn, and chocolate M & Ms for the candy eyes.

    Equipment

    You will need three cupcake pans that hold 12 cupcakes each as this makes 30 cupcakes. These orange cupcake liners go inside the pan and are pretty with the turkeys.

    You'll also need an electric hand mixer or stand mixer and wire racks for cooling the cupcakes.

    For decorating the top of the cupcakes, you'll need individual frosting bags and tips.

    How to Make the Cupcakes

    Makes 24

    Place paper liners in the cupcake tins. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

    In another bowl beat the eggs, whole milk, oil, and vanilla.

    Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients.

    Beat on medium for 3 minutes or until fully mixed.

    Scoop batter into cupcake lined cups until they are three quarters filled.

    Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

    Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

    Take out of the cupcake pan placing on a wire rack until completely cooled.

    How to Make the Frosting

    Beat the softened butter on its own until smooth.

    Add cocoa and powdered sugar alternately with heavy cream into the creamed butter until it becomes a smooth and thick texture. If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream, if too thin, add more powdered sugar.

    Scoop frosting into a large pastry bag with a large frosting tip. Twist the open end of the pastry bag to push the frosting to the tip.

    Frost cupcakes starting from the outside edge of the cupcake working toward the center of the cupcake.

    How to Make the Royal Icing for Decorating

    Combine all ingredients, except food coloring, in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. If icing is not stiff enough add ¼ C powdered sugar.

    Divide the icing into three bowls. In the first bowl add several drops of orange gel food coloring.  Stir to blend.

    In the second bowl, add drops of red gel food coloring, mixing well to incorporate the color. The third bowl of icing remains white.

    Pour each color of icing into individual frosting bags with a #5 tip. Twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.

    These adorable Turkey Cupcakes are the perfect dessert recipe for that Thanksgiving party at school! Cupcakes are my favorite dessert, and this recipe is pretty easy. Get the kids to help!

    What You Need to Decorate the Cupcakes

    It will be so much easier if you have icing bags and tips, but if you don't you can improvise by using a baggie and cutting off a corner to use as an icing bag. You'll need 1 package Fudge Stripe Cookies, 1 package of Oreo Cookies, 1 bag of Candy Corn, and 1 bag of Chocolate M&M's. 

    How to Decorate Turkey Cupcakes

    Refer to the picture of the cupcakes for directions.

    Lay the Fudge Stripe cookies strip side down.

    Lay out the candy corn on the fudge side of the cookie, white tip down, adding some white icing for the "glue". Allow some time to dry. (up to 30 minutes, checking to make sure they are dry) Once dry stick the cookie into the back of the frosted cupcake to secure the "tail".

    For the turkey eyes, separate two Oreo cookies per cupcake. Keep as much filling on the half of the Oreo cookie as possible. Pop the other Oreo half into your mouth. (That's your reward for all this work!)

    Using white icing, "glue" the chocolate M&M (eyeball) to the Oreo cookie half that has the filling on it. Allow time for the eyeball (M&M) to dry.

    These adorable Turkey Cupcakes are the perfect dessert recipe for that Thanksgiving party at school! Cupcakes are my favorite dessert, and this recipe is pretty easy. Get the kids to help!

    While the eyeball is drying, use the orange icing to make a dot for the nose.  Allow 30 seconds for the nose to dry.

    Apply the red icing for the waddle just below the nose.  Allow 30 seconds for this to dry before adding the OREO eyes to the cupcake.  Check to see if dry by gently touching on top of the waddle.

    Apply a small amount of the white icing to the back of each eye and place it on the cupcake. Refer to the picture of the completed cupcakes for the correct position of the eyes. Allow a little more time to dry before moving.

    FAQ

    Are muffin and cupcake pans the same?

    Yes, they are the same pan.

    Can I halve this recipe?

    Yes, you can easily cut this recipe in half to make 12 cupcakes.

    Can I use a box of cake mix and canned frosting?

    Yes. The flavor won't be as delicious as homemade but you will still have fun decorating and they will still taste good.

    • This list of 27 Homemade Pumpkin Desserts is all you'll need for a fall of deliciousness! The next time you have to bring food to a gathering, just choose from this list of pumpkin recipes! From Pumpkin Pudding Poke Cake to Pumpkin pie brownies, everyone will love these yummy recipes!
      Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
    • Who could resist Pumpkin Bread Pudding with freshly made Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream? 'Tis the season for pumpkin, though I love it all year long!
      Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream
    • Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting on a wood board with fall leaves and pumpkin.
      Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
    • cookies with a pumpkin spice kiss in the middle
      Pumpkin Spice Cookies

    Looking for more Thanksgiving ideas? Check out these 10 tasty Thanksgiving desserts or my mom's Thanksgiving stuffing recipe!

    Cupcakes made to look like a turkey.

    Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes

    These adorable Thanksgiving cupcakes are perfect to bring for your child's Thanksgiving party at school!
    4.93 from 13 votes
    Print this Recipe Pin this Recipe Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cooling and Decorating: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 cupcakes
    Calories: 637kcal
    Author: Kelly Stilwell

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for Cupcakes

    • 1 ½ C Flour
    • 2 C Sugar
    • 1 C Cocoa
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 4 Eggs room temp
    • 1 C Whole Milk
    • ⅔ C Canola Oil
    • 4 teaspoon Vanilla

    Frosting Ingredients

    • ½ C unsalted butter room temp
    • ⅔ C cocoa powder
    • 3 C powdered sugar
    • ⅓ C heavy cream

    Royal Icing Ingredients

    • 2 egg whites
    • 1 C powder sugar
    • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
    • red & orange gel food coloring

    Decorating the Turkey Ingredients

    • Package Fudge Stripe Cookies
    • Package of Oreo Cookies
    • Bag of Candy Corn
    • Bag of Chocolate M&M's

    Instructions

    Directions for Making Cupcakes

    • Place paper liners in the cupcake tins. Preheat oven to 350º.
    • Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
    • In a another bowl, beat the eggs, whole milk, oil, and vanilla.
    • Add the eggs, whole milk, oil, and vanilla to the bowl with the dry ingredients.
    • Beat together until fully mixed for 3 minutes on medium.
    • Scoop batter into cupcake lined cups until two-thirds full.
    • Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes.
    • Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in pan.
    • Take out of the cupcake pan and place on a wire rack until completely cooled, at least one hour.

    How to Make the Frosting

    • Beat the softened butter on its own until smooth.
    • Add cocoa and powder sugar alternately with heavy cream into the creamed butter until it becomes a smooth and thick texture.
    • If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream, if too thin, add more powder sugar.
    • Scoop frosting into a large pastry bag with a large frosting tip.
    • Twist the open end of the pastry bag to push frosting to the tip.
    • Frost cupcakes starting from the outside edge of the cupcake working toward the center of the cupcake.

    How to Make the Royal Icing

    • Combine all ingredients except food coloring in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes.
    • If icing is not stiff enough add ¼ C powder sugar.
    • Divide the icing into three bowls.
    • To the first bowl add several drops of orange gel food coloring. Stir to blend.
    • To the second bowl, add drops of red gel food coloring, mixing well to incorporate the color.
    • Leave the third bowl of icing white.
    • Pour each color of icing into individual frosting bags with a #5 tips. Twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.

    Decorating the Cupcakes

    • Refer to the picture of the cupcakes for directions.
    • Lay the Fudge striped cookies strip side down.
    • Lay out the candy corn on the fudge side of the cookie.
    • Remove the candy corn and add some white icing for the "glue".
    • Lay the candy corn with the white tip down towards the center of the cookie.
    • Allow some time to dry. (up to 30 minutes, checking to make sure they are dry)
    • Once dry stick the cookie into the back of the frosted cupcake to secure the "tail".
    • For the turkey eyes, separate two Oreo cookies per cupcake. Keep as much filling on the half of the Oreo cookie as possible. Disregard the other Oreo half into your mouth.
    • Using white icing "glue" the chocolate M&M (eye ball) to the Oreo cookie half that has the filling on it.
    • Allow time for the eyeball (M&M) to dry.
    • While the eyeball is drying , using the orange icing make a dot for the nose. Allow 30 seconds for the nose to dry.
    • Apply the red icing for the waddle just below the nose. Allow 30 seconds for this to dry before adding the eyes to the cupcake. Check to see if dry by gently touching on top of the waddle.
    • Apply a small amount of the white icing to the back of the each eye and place it on the cupcake.
    • Refer to the picture of the completed cupcakes for the correct position of the eyes.
    • Allow a little more time to dry before moving.

    Notes

    Patience is key when frosting cupcakes! Nothing can ruin a dessert faster than trying to frost a warm cupcake. Let the cupcakes cool for a minimum of one hour before frosting.
    If you are in a time crunch, you can use a boxed mix and can of frosting. It will not have the same delicious flavor, but they will still be good and you'll have fun decorating them! You will need enough cake mix for 24 cupcakes and 2 cups of frosting.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 637kcal | Carbohydrates: 109g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 79g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @kastilwell or tag #FFFP!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sam Roberts

      March 25, 2021 at 11:42 am

      They look fantastic. I think it is time to change classical turkey for these wonderful cakes. Thank you for the recipe and for the pictures.

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        May 28, 2021 at 10:34 am

        Thanks, Sam!

        Reply
    2. Samantha

      November 25, 2020 at 3:36 pm

      How many does this make?

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        November 25, 2020 at 4:57 pm

        This makes 30 cupcakes, Samantha. You can easily adjust. Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    3. Lori A Flynn

      November 24, 2019 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      Great turkey cupcake .recipe!!!! The grandchildren will love these on thanksgiving!!!!! I think that I maybe able to convert this to a cake as well to complement these special cupcakes for the holidays!!!!!! 5 stars!!!!!

      Reply
    4. Janet Davis

      January 27, 2019 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      I am soooo making these and I am sooo putting googly eyes on these!

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        January 28, 2019 at 8:35 am

        They are pretty adorable, Janet! Always a big hit! The chocolate mice are really cute for Valentine's Day, too. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Jardann

      November 17, 2018 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      I having trouble getting the tail to stand up... What’s the trick? Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Donna Posillo

      November 16, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      made this last year with my niece and we had a blast. doing it again this year

      Reply
    7. Donna

      November 22, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      hosting this year so excited

      Reply
    8. Donna

      November 21, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      i'm making the turkey cupcakes with my Niece today.i showed her a picture of it and she decided she wanted to make them.

      Reply
    9. Mila

      November 05, 2015 at 5:17 am

      Thank you for linking up last week!
      Your post has been featured 🙂
      http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/11/idea-box-thursday-link-party-35.html
      xx
      Mila

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        November 07, 2015 at 12:05 pm

        Thanks so much Mila! What an honor! Appreciate all you do!

        Reply
    10. Cathy Jarolin

      November 02, 2015 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      These Thanksgiving Cup Cakes are so Adorable. I would love to make 1 for each of my Grandchildren, I am going to have to go down your Longggggg Recipe list! lol to see whats involved! Thankyou for sharing your recipe for these awesome cupcakes. :0)~~~

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        November 02, 2015 at 5:54 pm

        I know the list is long, Cathy, but it is step by step so hoping it is easy for you! The grandkids can help! Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. It means a lot!

        Reply
    11. Karly

      October 31, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      These are adorable! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

      Reply
    12. Crystal

      October 30, 2015 at 10:53 pm

      These look too adorable to eat! What a cute Thanksgiving idea.

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        November 07, 2015 at 12:04 pm

        Thank you, Crystal! Appreciate you visiting and taking the time to comment!

        Reply
    13. Susan

      October 28, 2015 at 10:18 am

      Hi Kelly, I was wondering when I can order these ridiculously adorable Turkey Cupcakes so I get them in time for Thanksgiving? I wish! These are the cutest things I have ever seen. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        November 07, 2015 at 12:03 pm

        Hi Susan! They aren't hard to make, and there are links for most of what you need in the post. You can do this!

        Reply
    14. Akaleistar

      October 27, 2015 at 9:12 pm

      Those cupcakes are adorable!

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        October 28, 2015 at 12:06 am

        Thank you! I appreciate it 🙂 And thanks for visiting!

        Reply
        • Sarah Welsh

          November 18, 2020 at 8:14 pm

          Do you have a picture of what the back of the cupcake looks like with the cookie tail? I dont know if my cupcake wasn't baked properly, but it seems like the cookie tail was too heavy and it broke my cupcake off and then the tail wouldn't stay up!!

        • Kelly Stilwell

          November 25, 2020 at 4:58 pm

          Hey Sarah! I am so sorry I'm just seeing this as I've been traveling. Did this happen with every tail?! I don't have a photo of the back. I need to make these again and be sure to get video! Hope it worked out. Happy Thanksgiving!

    15. Melinda

      October 26, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh, I was so happy to see something besides Halloween, thanks!!!
      Here from Inspire Me Monday.
      So cute, and hands on for the kiddos!

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        November 07, 2015 at 6:13 pm

        LOL Melinda! I hear ya! Before long you'll be saying that about Thanksgiving! And then Christmas..and then..LOL!
        Thanks for visiting!

        Reply
    16. Karin S

      September 24, 2015 at 8:15 am

      these cupcakes look delicious!

      Reply

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