If you’re searching for a simple yet vibrant food craft for Thanksgiving that you can do with the kids then look no further – these Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes are waiting for you!
Using store-bought chocolate cupcakes, ready-made frosting, and candy, these turkey cupcakes are really more of a cute food craft to be assembled than an actual recipe.
Follow my simple step-by-step directions for making your holiday turkey cupcakes with the kids in just 15 minutes! They’re perfect as a Thanksgiving sweet snack or dessert and look incredible as part of the holiday decoration!
RECIPE TIPS
- While I used store-bought cupcakes for the convenience factor, go ahead and make your cupcakes from scratch if you like. You can follow my Monster Cupcakes recipe to make a fresh batch of chocolate cupcakes.
- Use any brand of chocolate frosting for your cupcakes. For this food craft, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Frosting or Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Milk Chocolate Dessert Frosting would be great. Again, this too can be made from scratch if you want.
- This is a great food craft to involve the kids in. Assign them manageable tasks depending on age and skill level such as separating the brown, yellow, and orange Reeses candy; frosting the cupcakes, or assembling the turkey “feathers”. You may want to supervise the finer details though.
- Use clean craft tweezers for precision and ease when it comes to positioning your turkey candy eyes.
Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes
- Add a flat layer of chocolate frosting to each pre-made cupcake.
- Melt the white melting chocolate according to package directions. Add a drop or two of orange food coloring and stir. If the chocolate seizes up, add a couple drops of a neutral flavored oil and stir until you get a smooth consistency. Dip the point of each Hershey kiss into the orange chocolate and set aside.
- Add three rows of Reese’s pieces to create the turkey feathers. Start by choosing 8 pieces of one color to line the outside of the cupcake. Push each piece of candy into the frosting, but tilt them slightly upward and create an arch along the outside of the cupcake. Add 7 pieces just below that row to create a second row of feathers.
- Next, add 5 pieces beneath that row for the center row that will frame the “head” of the turkey.
- Place a prepared Hershey kiss with beak added in the center of each cupcake.
- Spread a dab of chocolate frosting on the back of the candy eyes and place two of them on each Hershey kiss to complete the cupcake.
WHAT MELTING CHOCOLATE WORKS BEST FOR THIS RECIPE?
- White candy melts, almond bark or even Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers would be great options to use. I’d use white chocolate chips as a last resort since most brands contain stabilizer ingredients, making them harder to melt into a smooth consistency without the aid of oil (such as vegetable oil or canola) to get any lumps or bumps out.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER THANKSGIVING TURKEY CUPCAKES
- These frosted Thanksgiving turkey cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days, if your environment is cool and dry. After day 3 or 4, you may notice that the cupcake base has started to dry out a bit so it’s best to enjoy them around that 3-4 day mark.
- You could also store these cupcakes in the refrigerator but there may be some condensation that forms on the Reese’s pieces candy and Hershey’s chocolate. If you refrigerate leftover turkey cupcakes, make sure that they first come to room temperature before serving – most cupcakes taste the best at room temperature!
Fun Fall-Inspired Food Crafts
- Mini Mummy Pizzas
- Halloween Mummy Oreo Cookies
- Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats
- Thanksgiving Appetizer Platter
Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
0 mins
Total Time
15 mins
If you’re searching for a simple food craft for Thanksgiving that you can do with the kids, these Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes are perfect!
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Thanksgiving
Keyword:
cupcakes, kid approved
Ingredients
- Your Favorite Pre-made or homemade cupcakes
- Chocolate frosting
- Hershey kisses
- Reese’s pieces
- Candy eyes
- White melting chocolate
- Orange food coloring
Instructions
-
Add a flat layer of chocolate frosting to each pre-made cupcake.
-
Melt the white melting chocolate according to package directions. Add a drop or two of orange food coloring and stir. If the chocolate seizes up, add a couple drops of avocado (or neutral flavored) oil and stir until you get a smooth consistency.
-
Dip the point of each Hershey kiss into the orange chocolate and set aside.
-
Add three rows of Reese’s pieces to create the turkey feathers. Start by choosing 8 pieces of one color to line the outside of the cupcake. Push each piece of candy into the frosting, but tilt them slightly upward and create an arch along the outside of the cupcake.
-
Add 7 pieces just below that row to create a second row of feathers. Next, add 5 pieces beneath that row for the center row that will frame the “head” of the turkey.
-
Place a prepared Hershey kiss with beak added in the center of each cupcake.
-
Spread a dab of chocolate frosting on the back of the candy eyes and place two of them on each Hershey kiss to complete the cupcake.
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