When Thanksgiving rolls around, the kitchen is often a whirlwind of activity. The turkey is roasting, the potatoes are mashing, and there’s barely enough counter space to think. But what about the little ones who want to help? That’s where these adorable no-bake pumpkin pie turkeys come in! This is one of the most Simple Thanksgiving Baking Ideas for Kids you’ll find, turning a classic dessert into a fun, hands-on project. It’s less about baking and more about creating, which is perfect for keeping small hands busy and happy.
These little turkeys are an absolute lifesaver. You start with a store-bought pumpkin pie, so all the hard work is already done. Your kids get to handle the fun part: assembling the turkeys with candy. It’s a sweet, simple activity that results in some seriously cute Thanksgiving Treats For Kids. They’ll be so proud to show off their creations on the dessert table, and you’ll love how little effort it takes to make some holiday magic.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a recipe that requires zero cooking time? With a prep time of just 15 minutes, you can whip these up in a flash. It’s the perfect activity to set up for the kids while you’re managing the main course. They get to be creative, play with their food (in a good way!), and make a dessert everyone will adore. This is one of those Easy Thanksgiving Treats that looks impressive but is secretly so simple. Plus, the combination of creamy pumpkin pie, chocolate, and peanut butter is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover pumpkin pie, too!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to gather to create your flock of delicious pumpkin pie turkeys. It’s a short and sweet list, with most items easily found in any grocery store during the holidays.
- â–˘ One 9-inch pumpkin pie (store-bought is perfect!)
- ▢ Decorator’s icing (any color works for gluing the candy on)
- ▢ Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- â–˘ Candy eyes
- â–˘ Orange Reese’s Pieces (you’ll need to halve these)
- â–˘ Candy Corn
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to assemble your turkeys? This is where the fun begins! Let the kids take the lead on decorating, and don’t worry if they aren’t perfect—that’s part of the charm.
Step 1: Create the Base
First things first, let’s make the bodies for our turkeys. Using a 1.5-inch biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter, carefully cut out circles from the pumpkin pie. If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, the rim of a small glass works in a pinch! You should be able to get about 8-10 circles from a standard 9-inch pie.
Step 2: Add the Head
Now, grab your mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Dab a little decorator’s icing on the wider side of the candy cup. Gently press it onto the lower half of a pumpkin pie circle, with the narrow side of the cup facing down. This creates the turkey’s head and body.
Step 3: Give Them Some Personality
It’s time to bring your turkeys to life! Use a tiny bit of decorator’s icing to attach two candy eyes on top of the peanut butter cup. Next, take half of an orange Reese’s Pieces and attach it longways just below the eyes to make a cute little beak. A little dab of icing is all you need to hold it in place.
Step 4: Fan Out the Feathers
What’s a turkey without its tail feathers? Place five pieces of candy corn at the top of the pumpkin pie circle, with the narrow, white tips pointing down toward the pie. Arrange them in a fan shape to create a colorful tail. The icing can help here too if they need a little extra security.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
And that’s it! Your adorable pumpkin pie turkeys are ready. You can serve them immediately for everyone to enjoy. They make for some of the most memorable Simple Thanksgiving Desserts and are a fantastic photo op for the kids.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any of these cute little turkeys left over, storing them is a breeze. Simply place them in a single layer in an airtight container. Keep the container in the refrigerator, and they should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. The pumpkin pie base will keep them moist, though the candy corn might soften slightly over time. Honestly, they’re so tasty that leftovers are rarely a problem!
Conclusion
And there you have it—one of the easiest and most engaging Simple Thanksgiving Baking Ideas for Kids you could ask for. These no-bake pumpkin pie turkeys are more than just a dessert; they’re an activity, a decoration, and a delicious treat all rolled into one. They bring so much joy to the Thanksgiving table and give kids a wonderful sense of accomplishment. So this year, save yourself some stress and let the little ones take charge of this simple, fun, and festive dessert.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of pie?
Absolutely! While pumpkin pie is classic for Thanksgiving, this idea would also work wonderfully with sweet potato pie, pecan pie (if it’s not too bumpy), or even a cheesecake. As long as you can cut a stable circle from it, you can turn it into a turkey!
What if I can’t find Reese’s Pieces for the beak?
No problem at all! You can get creative with substitutions. A small piece of a candy orange slice, a tic-tac colored with an edible marker, or even a tiny triangle cut from an orange Starburst candy would work perfectly as a beak.
Is there a substitute for peanut butter cups?
Yes, if you have a peanut allergy or just don’t have them on hand, you could use chocolate-covered caramels like Rolos or even a large chocolate drop. Anything that gives you that round ‘head’ shape will do the trick.
