How to Decorate Turkey Cupcakes for a Thanksgiving Treat

Learn how to make homemade decorated turkey cupcakes for a festive dessert for Thanksgiving that isn’t pie! Make homemade chocolate cupcakes decorated to look like turkeys.

More Thanksgiving recipes: Slow Cooker Creamed Corn, Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, and Pumpkin Scones.

Turkey cupcakes are an adorable and delicious way to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. These festive treats are not only a hit with kids but also a delightful addition to any holiday gathering. Made with rich chocolate cupcakes and topped with a creative turkey design, these cupcakes are the perfect blend of fun and flavor. Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast or looking for a creative activity to do with the family, turkey cupcakes are a must-try recipe that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces and are so much fun.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about combining creativity with baking, and this turkey cupcakes recipe does just that. One of the main reasons you’ll love this recipe is its versatility. You can easily adapt the decorations to suit your style, making each cupcake uniquely yours. Plus, the rich chocolate flavor of the cupcakes paired with the creamy frosting is a crowd-pleaser that will satisfy both kids and adults alike.

Another reason to fall in love with these turkey cupcakes is the ease of preparation. Despite their impressive appearance, they’re incredibly simple to make. With just a few basic ingredients and some fun decorations, you can whip up a batch of these delightful cupcakes in no time. They are perfect for a last-minute dessert ideas or as a fun project to get the kids involved in the kitchen. Enjoy the smiles on everyone’s faces as they see their finished product.

Ingredients for Turkey Cupcakes

To get started on these festive treats, here’s what you’ll need for each step of this recipe:

Cupcakes:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cocoa powder

Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• Red food coloring

For Decoration:

• ½ cup candy corn pieces
• 2 tablespoons candy eyeballs
• ½ cup chocolate jimmy sprinkles

How to Make Turkey Cupcakes

Mix up the Cupcakes

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. In a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Add in the oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Mix until the ingredients are well combined; don’t worry if the mixture appears a bit lumpy. Feel free to use an electric hand mixer and large bowl if you don’t have a stand mixer.
4. Incorporate the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and mix for an additional minute. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again to ensure everything is well incorporated.
5. Using a small ice cream scoop, cookie scoop or a ¼ cup measuring cup, divide the batter evenly among the lined cupcake pans.
6. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before moving on to the decoration.

Prepare the Frosting

1. In a clean bowl of your stand mixer or in a medium bowl with a hand mixer, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder.
2. Start mixing on low speed until everything is well blended. Next, increase the speed to medium and mix for about a minute until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If the frosting seems too dry, add a small splash of water or milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Set aside a small amount (about ¼ cup) of frosting and tint it with red food coloring to create a burgundy hue. Transfer this tinted frosting to a piping bag for later use.
4. Transfer the remaining chocolate frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.

Decorate the Cupcakes

1. Pipe a large mound of frosting on each cooled cupcake.
2. Dip the frosted cupcakes into a bowl of chocolate jimmy sprinkles, ensuring an even coating.
3. Insert six candy corn pieces along the top edge of each cupcake to create the turkey’s feathers.
4. Use the piping bag with chocolate frosting to pipe a small inverted teardrop shape on each cupcake, forming the turkey’s head.
5. Place two candy eyeballs on each turkey head, positioning them toward the top.
6. Insert another piece of candy corn (with the tip pointing up) to form the turkey’s beak.
7. Finally, with the burgundy frosting, pipe a small dollop along the side of the beak to create the turkey’s snood.

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Where to Serve Turkey Cupcakes

Turkey cupcakes are perfect for a variety of occasions, especially during the Thanksgiving season. These charming treats are a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table, where they’ll surely be a conversation starter. Their playful design appeals to all ages, making them an excellent choice for family gatherings where you want to serve something that both looks and tastes fantastic.

If you’re attending a Thanksgiving potluck, turkey cupcakes make for a delightful and unique contribution. They’re easy to transport (especially when you use this cupcake carrier), and since they’re individually portioned, guests can easily grab one without the need for additional utensils or plates. Whether it’s a family dinner, a school event, or a festive office party, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit.

Variations on Turkey Cupcakes

While the classic turkey cupcake is hard to beat, there are plenty of ways to switch things up and add your personal touch. Here are a few variations to consider:

1. Flavor Twist: Instead of chocolate cupcakes, try using a vanilla or pumpkin spice base. The warm spices in a pumpkin cupcake can add an extra layer of seasonal flavor that complements the Thanksgiving theme.
2. Frosting Fun: Mix things up by using different frosting flavors. A cream cheese frosting or a buttercream flavored with cinnamon could be a delicious alternative to chocolate frosting. You can also play with colors, using more vibrant hues for the turkey’s feathers or adding a shimmer with edible glitter.
3. Candy Alternatives: If you’re not a fan of candy corn, consider using different candies for the decorations. Gummy candies, chocolate chips, or even pretzels can be used creatively to form the turkey’s features.

Can Turkey Cupcakes Be Stored or Made Ahead?

Turkey cupcakes can definitely be made ahead of time, making them a convenient option for busy holiday schedules. Here’s how to store them:

1. Storage: Once decorated, store turkey cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This will help keep the frosting and decorations fresh. However, it’s best to bring them to room temperature before serving to enjoy the full flavor of the cupcakes.
2. Make-Ahead: If you’re planning ahead, you can bake the cupcakes and prepare the frosting a day or two in advance. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature, and keep the frosting in the refrigerator. On the day of your event, simply bring the frosting to room temperature, give it a quick whip to restore its fluffiness, and decorate the cupcakes.

Common Questions About Turkey Cupcakes

1. Can I freeze turkey cupcakes? Freezing decorated cupcakes is not recommended as the decorations can become soggy when thawed. However, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to a month. When ready to use, thaw the cupcakes at room temperature and decorate them as desired.

2. Can I use store-bought frosting? Yes, store-bought frosting can be used if you’re short on time. However, homemade frosting tends to have a better texture and flavor. If you do opt for store-bought, you might want to whip it with a little butter or cream cheese to improve the consistency.

3. What if I don’t have a piping bag? If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a resealable plastic bag with the tip cut off. This works well for simple piping tasks like the turkey head and snood.

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Turkey Cupcakes

How to make adorable and festive cupcakes that look like turkeys for a fun thanksgiving dessert with a chocolate cupcake base.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time16 minutes mins

Total Time46 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cupcakes, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dessert

Servings: 15 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• ½ c unsalted butter softened
• ¾ c sugar
• ½ c oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• ¾ c milk
• 1 ¼ c flour
• 1 ½ t baking powder
• ½ t salt
• ½ c cocoa powder

For the frosting and decorating

• 1 c unsalted butter softened
• 3 c powdered sugar
• 1 c cocoa powder
• Red food coloring
• ½ c candy corn pieces
• 2 T candy eye balls
• ½ c chocolate jimmy sprinkles

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line your standard cupcake pans with paper liners. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar. Cream until smooth.
• Add in the oil, eggs, vanilla and milk. Mix until combined – it will appear lumpy.
• Add in the remaining dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Mix on low speed until combined and then mix on medium speed for another minute. Scrape down the sides and mix again.
• Using a small ice cream scoop or a ¼ cup measuring cup, divide the batter evenly amongst the lined baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
• For the frosting – in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
• Mix on low speed until combined and then bump up the speed to medium and mix for an additional minute until the frosting is smooth and fluffy looking. If the frosting appears dry, add a dash of water or milk – just until the frosting comes together.
• Scoop out about ¼ of a cup of frosting and tint with some red food coloring. Transfer this burgundy frosting to a piping bag and set aside.
• Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Set aside until ready to assemble.
• To assemble – pipe a large mound of frosting on each cupcake.
• Dip the frosting into the chocolate jimmy sprinkles.
• Insert the pointed end six candy corn pieces along the top edge of each cupcake, securing them in the frosting.
• Pipe a small inverted tear drop shape on each cupcake to create the head of the turkey.
• Place two eyeball candies on each head toward the top.
• Insert another candy corn so that the tip is pointing up to create the nose.
• Finally, with the burgundy frosting, pipe a small dollop along the side of the nose to create the snood of the turkey.

Notes

Storage: Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Conclusion

Turkey cupcakes are not only a delightful treat but also a fun way to bring some creativity into your Thanksgiving celebrations. With their rich chocolate flavor and charming design, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering. Plus, with the simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll find yourself wanting to make these festive cupcakes every year.

So why wait? Gather your ingredients and start baking today. Your family and friends will thank you for bringing a little extra joy to the Thanksgiving table. And don’t forget to share your creations on social media—tag us so we can see your beautiful turkey cupcakes in action! Have fun baking and Happy Thanksgiving!

More Thanksgiving Desserts to try:

• Apple Crumble Pie
• Caramel Apple Cookies
• Pumpkin Pie Cookies
• Cherry Pie Cookies
• Pumpkin Cake Balls
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

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