Easy & Fun Turkey Cupcakes (Best Thanksgiving Recipe)

Creating turkey cupcakes is an enjoyable Thanksgiving dessert project.

These treats are incredibly festive and, not to forget, also delicious!

It’s a delightful do-it-yourself activity that you can share with your children.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Making turkey cupcakes is a fun family activity that kids of all ages will enjoy.
• They add a festive and adorable touch to your Thanksgiving dessert spread.
• The combination of chocolate cupcakes and chocolate frosting is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients Needed For These Adorable Turkey Cupcakes Recipe

For the cupcakes

• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 ½ cups cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup oil
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 ½ cup milk
• 1 ½ cup water

For the chocolate buttercream frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp salt
• 3-4 tbsp milk
• 4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup candy corns
• candy eyeballs
• orange M&M candy pieces or Reese’s Pieces
• Nutter Butter cookies family sized (or one per cupcake)

Step-by-Step Preparation With Pictures

Make the cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Add the cupcake liners to the cupcake tin. Set aside.

Start the cupcakes.

To the bowl of a stand mixer, add the dry ingredients – sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. 

Whisk well to combine.

Now add the liquid ingredients – the eggs, oil, milk, water, and vanilla.

Mix on low for about 1 minute and then increase the speed and beat for another 2 minutes.

Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat again. 

Fill each cupcake liner to ⅔ full.

Bake for about 14-16 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.

Make the frosting

Add the softened butter, salt, and half of the powdered sugar to the stand mixer bowl.

Mix on low until it is combined.

Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat on low again.

Then, add the cocoa powder and mix again. 

Add in 2 tablespoons of milk and mix.

Beat on medium for about 2 minutes until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Add the rest of the milk only if the mixture looks dry and crumbly. Mix again until smooth.  

Make Nutter Butter Turkeys

Using a serrated knife, cut off the bottom ¼ section of the Nutter Butters.  

Each cupcake will need one cookie.

Add ½ of a cup of frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

Transfer the remaining frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. 

Using the piping bag with the small round tip, pipe a little bit of frosting on each eyeball and secure it to the top section of the Nutter Butter cookie as shown in the picture below.

Now, cut each orange M&M candy piece in half. 

Pipe a small amount on the cut side of the orange M&M candy piece and secure it below the eyeballs.  

Next, pipe a small line of frosting alongside the nose to replicate the turkey’s snood.  

Using the piping bag with the large round tip, pipe a thick layer of frosting, looking like a large mound onto each cupcake.

Then, place the turkey face in the center of the mound so that it is sticking upwards.  

Use the frosting around the base of the cookie to secure in place.

Lastly, put five candy corn pieces behind the cookie with the pointed end into the frosting.

These will serve as the turkey tail feathers, so spread them out a bit in order to be seen the best.

Enjoy your creation! Don’t they look adorable?!

Variation and Substitution Ideas

This is such a fun project there are easy ways to create variations and substitutions.

These little turkeys are so much fun, there is no need to be concerned if you don’t have everything you need in this recipe.

With this recipe, you can use a cake mix or even store-bought cupcakes if you prefer.

You can also use your favorite chocolate cupcakes recipe if you have one.  

Tail Feathers: Instead of candy corn, experiment with other colorful candies like mini Reese’s Pieces, jelly beans, or even small gummy worms to create a unique tail feather effect.

Different Cookie Bases: While Nutter Butter cookies are classic, try using different cookies for the turkey’s face.

Oreo cookies, ginger cookie, or even homemade sugar cookies can add a new twist to your cupcakes.

If your kids prefer chocolate and peanut butter, use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of Nutter Butter cookies for a bigger choco-peanut butter kick. 

And if you can’t get enough of turkey-themed desserts, try this adorable turkey cake next.

Vary the Cupcake Flavor: While chocolate cupcakes are a favorite, consider using a different flavor like pumpkin pie spice, apple pie, or pecan pie cupcakes to embrace the Thanksgiving season fully.

You just want to make sure to cover the cupcake completely with the chocolate frosting so that you cannot see the color poking through. 

Healthier Alternatives: For a healthier version, use whole wheat flour, unsweetened applesauce instead of oil, and a low-fat cream cheese frosting.

Almond flour and sugar substitutes to make a lower-carb or even keto cupcake. 

Gluten-Free or Vegan Options: Adapt the recipe to cater to dietary restrictions by using gluten-free flour and dairy-free alternatives for milk, butter, and eggs.

Mini Cupcakes: Make bite-sized turkey cupcakes using a mini muffin pan and scaled-down decorations for a cute and tiny treat.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

Festive Platter: Arrange your nutter butter turkey cupcakes on a decorative platter or tray.

You can even use a platter shaped like a turkey or fall-themed dishware for added charm.

Turkey Table Centerpiece: Create a captivating centerpiece by arranging your turkey cupcakes on a tiered cupcake stand.

It will not only serve as a delicious dessert but also a beautiful decoration for your Thanksgiving table.

Nest of Leaves: Place your turkey cupcakes on a bed of colorful autumn leaves or fake grass to give them a natural, rustic appearance.

This adds a lovely seasonal touch.

Edible Place Cards: Use the cupcakes as edible place cards.

Attach a small tag with your guests’ names or thankgiving wishes to the turkey’s tail feathers for a personalized touch.

Mini Dessert Buffet: Set up a mini dessert buffet with an assortment of Thanksgiving treats, including your cute Thanksgiving cupcakes.

Then, add pumpkin icebox cake, cookies, fall popcorn, and other desserts for a delightful dessert spread.

DIY Decorating Station: Make it interactive by setting up a cupcake decorating station.

Provide various frostings, sprinkles, and candies for guests to customize their turkey cupcakes.

Kids’ Table Delight: If there are kids at your gathering, designate a special kids’ table and decorate it with turkey cupcakes as a fun and tasty centerpiece.

Add Garnishes: Decorate the serving platter with some fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, or edible fall flowers for an extra touch of elegance.

Storing Tips

Freezing Unfrosted Cupcakes: If you want to make your turkey cupcakes in advance, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes.

Place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag.

They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before frosting and decorating.

Making Ahead: You can prepare the cupcakes a day or two in advance and store them at room temperature in an airtight cupcake container.

This will save you time on Thanksgiving Day.

Protecting Decorations: If you’ve already added the turkey decorations, store the cupcakes in a single layer to prevent smudging or damage to the decorations.

You can separate layers with parchment paper or cupcake liners.

Room Temperature: Turkey cupcakes can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 days, but they are best when enjoyed fresh.

If storing for longer, consider refrigeration for up to 4 days.

However, the condensation of the fridge will make the eyeballs dissolve so decorate just prior to serving.  

Individual Wrapping: If you plan to share or distribute the cupcakes, consider individually wrapping them in clear cellophane or plastic wrap to keep them fresh and protect the decorations.

This is great if you are sending these cupcakes home after a party or as a goodie bag.

It is also great if you are selling these at a bake sale. 

One Last Thing

Consider making these cute turkey cupcakes a yearly Thanksgiving tradition.

They’ll be a hit at the Thanksgiving dessert tables.

Your Turn

If you make these adorable nutter butter turkey cupcakes, please take a moment to let me know how you liked them by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes You Need to Try

• No-Bake Pumpkin Icebox Cake: Easy Fall Dessert Recipe
• Mini Key Lime Pie Bites: A Must-Try Easy Recipe
• Easy S’Mores Crumbl Cookies [Copycat Recipe]

Easy & Fun Turkey Cupcakes: A Thanksgiving Hit