When Thanksgiving rolls around, the kitchen becomes the heart of the home. Between the turkey, the stuffing, and all the savory sides, it can feel like there’s no room left for little helping hands. But what if you could carve out a fun, simple project just for them? These adorable Turkey Cookies are one of the most Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Help Make. They’re a perfect way to get the children involved in the holiday preparations without adding any stress to your plate.
This recipe uses a basic cut-out cookie dough and royal icing, turning simple circles into the cutest little turkeys you’ve ever seen. It’s a fantastic activity for a chilly November afternoon, letting kids express their creativity while making some delicious Thanksgiving Treats For Kids. Let’s get started on these charming treats that are almost too cute to eat!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a recipe that combines family fun with delicious results? The best part about these cookies is their simplicity. You don’t need to be a professional pastry chef to pull them off. The decorating is the main event, and it’s all about letting the kids have a blast. Placing the candy eyes, the little beak, and the colorful feather sprinkles is a fantastic task for small fingers and big imaginations.
These cookies are also incredibly versatile. While we’re using a classic sugar cookie base, you could easily adapt it. More importantly, they make fantastic gifts. Imagine bagging up a few of these little guys for teachers, neighbors, or to have ready as a take-home treat for your Thanksgiving guests. They add a personal, homemade touch to the holiday that everyone appreciates. They are truly one of the best Simple Thanksgiving Desserts you can find.
Ingredients
To create these festive turkey cookies, you’ll need a few key components. We’re using our go-to recipes for the base, but feel free to use your own trusted favorites!
- Your favorite cut-out cookie dough (we have a great recipe on our blog!)
- A batch of royal icing (check out our easy recipe!)
- Brown food coloring
- 2-inch circle cookie cutter
- 1 disposable decorating bag
- 1 icing coupler
- 1 size “4” decorating tip
- 1 rubber band or bag tie
- Candy eyeballs
- Chocolate-covered sesame seeds (or similar small candies like mini M&Ms or sprinkles) in assorted fall colors like red, yellow, and orange.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare And Bake The Cookies
First things first, let’s get the cookies ready. Prepare your cut-out cookie dough according to your recipe’s instructions. Once the dough has been properly chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Using your 2-inch circle cutter, cut out as many cookies as you can and place them on a prepared baking sheet. Bake them according to the recipe and let them cool completely on a wire rack before you even think about decorating. Patience is key here!
Step 2: Get The Icing Ready
While the cookies are cooling, it’s time to prepare the royal icing. Make your icing following our blog recipe. Once it’s the right consistency (a medium-consistency works well for both outlining and filling), tint a good portion of it with the brown food coloring. Prepare your decorating bag by fitting it with the coupler and the size “4” tip. Fill the bag with your freshly tinted brown icing and seal it tightly with a rubber band to prevent any oops moments.
Step 3: Decorate Your Turkeys!
Now for the fun part! This is where you can get the kids involved. Start by piping a brown circle around the edge of each cookie. Let this outline set for about 10 minutes—this creates a little dam to hold the rest of the icing. Next, fill in the circle by piping back and forth. This is called ‘flooding’ the cookie. While the brown icing is still wet, gently place two candy eyes towards the top. Then, use a yellow or orange sesame seed for the beak and a red one for the wattle right below it. Finally, arrange an array of colorful sesame seeds at the top of the cookie to look like feathers. Get creative with the colors!
Step 4: Let Them Dry
This might be the hardest step because everyone will want to eat them right away! To make sure the icing hardens completely, you’ll need to let the cookies dry, uncovered, overnight. This will prevent any smudging and ensure they are perfect for stacking or packaging. By morning, you’ll have a whole flock of adorable and delicious Easy Thanksgiving Treats.
How To Store Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers, storing these cookies is a breeze. Once the royal icing is completely firm (after drying overnight), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to a week. Just be gentle when stacking them to avoid breaking any of the decorations. We like to place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers for extra protection. There’s no need to refrigerate them, as that can sometimes make the icing bleed or soften.
Conclusion
And there you have it—a delightful and straightforward recipe for one of the most charming Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Help Make. These Turkey Cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re an experience. They bring everyone together in the kitchen to create something sweet and memorable. So this year, add a new tradition to your holiday and let the little ones take the lead on making these wonderful Thanksgiving desserts. Happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Icing?
You certainly can! While royal icing dries hard and is great for decorating, a simple buttercream frosting would also be delicious. Just keep in mind that buttercream won’t set in the same way, so the cookies will be softer and won’t be stackable.
What If I Can’t Find Chocolate-Covered Sesame Seeds?
No problem at all! Any small, colorful candy will work perfectly for the feathers, beak, and wattle. Think mini M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or even different shapes of sprinkles. The goal is to be creative and have fun with it.
Can I Make The Dough Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! Most cut-out cookie dough recipes are perfect for making ahead. You can typically refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before you plan to roll it out and bake.
