How to Make Delicious Turkey Cookies for Thanksgiving

Making turkey-shaped cookies is a fun Thanksgiving tradition that kids and adults alike can enjoy. With just a few simple ingredients and tips, you can bake and decorate cookies that look like adorable edible turkeys perfect for the holiday table.

Ingredients Needed

To make turkey cookies, you will need:

• Cookie dough – Sugar cookie dough works best You can use premade dough or make it from scratch

• Cookie cutters – A turkey-shaped cookie cutter is essential. You can also use other shaped cutters for leaves, pumpkins etc.

• Icing and decorations – Royal icing, frosting or melted chocolate work well. You’ll also need candy like candy corn, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles etc to decorate

• Food coloring – Orange, yellow, brown, red etc. for decorating the cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the Cookie Dough

If using premade dough, let it come to room temperature before rolling it out For homemade, combine the ingredients for sugar cookie dough – butter, sugar, eggs, flour etc. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling and cutting

2. Roll Out the Dough

Lightly flour the surface and rolling pin before rolling out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Make sure the dough is evenly rolled so the cookies bake evenly.

3. Cut Out Turkey Shapes

Use a lightly floured turkey cookie cutter to cut shapes out of the rolled out dough. Reroll scraps to cut more cookies. Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

4. Bake the Cookies

Bake cookies at 350°F for 8-12 minutes until lightly golden on the edges. Let cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating.

5. Prepare the Icing and Decorations

Make royal icing if using and tint it with food coloring to desired shades for decorating. Set up any sprinkles, candies, chocolate chips etc. you want to use.

6. Decorate the Cookies

Use icing to decorate cookies to look like turkeys. Outline and flood turkey bodies with brown icing. Add details like eyes, beak, feet etc. Use candies and sprinkles for feathers, wattle etc. Let icing dry completely before serving.

And your cute turkey cookies are ready! The decorating options are endless. Here are some easy ideas:

• Use orange, yellow and red icing for fun feathers
• Add candy corn for beak and tail feathers
• Mini chocolate chips or M&Ms for eyes
• Red hots for the wattle
• Chocolate drizzle for feet

Turkey Cookie Decorating Tips

Follow these tips for best results when decorating your turkey cookies:

• Use royal icing for easiest decorating. Consistency is key – go for a soft peak.

-Outline shapes first then flood interior with icing for clean edges.

• Immediately add decorations to wet icing so they stick.

• Start with larger decor items like feathers before adding small details.

• Use a toothpick or scribe tool to smooth icing and fix imperfections.

• Add candies and sprinkles with tweezers for precision.

• Let each icing layer dry before adding more for best results.

• Store decorated cookies between layers of wax or parchment paper in an airtight container.

Unique Turkey Cookie Ideas

While traditional turkey shapes are most common, get creative with your cookie designs using these fun ideas:

• Turkey hand cookies – Use an outlined handprint for the turkey body. Easy for kids!

• Turkey cupcake cookies – Frost cupcakes to look like turkeys. Adorable edible turkeys!

• Turkey pizza cookies – Use an oval cookie base topped with icing and toppings.

• Turkey sugar cookie balls – Coat baked cookie balls with icing and sprinkles.

• Turkey cookie pops – Decorate cookie pops to look like turkeys. Perfect for parties.

• Turkey cookie cakes – Decorate giant cookies or even cake into a turkey. Showstopper!

• Turkey cookie pie – Make mini pie crusts and fill with decorated sugar cookie turkey shapes.

Storing and Packaging Turkey Cookies

Baked undecorated cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.

For decorated cookies:

• Store in airtight container with parchment layers for up to 1 week.

• For longer storage, freeze decorated cookies up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.

• Package cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gifting. Add a turkey gift tag!

Making festive turkey sugar cookies is the perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. Follow this easy how-to for cookies that both kids and adults will gobble right up!