While we mostly agree that it isn’t Thanksgiving without pie… we also know sometimes wrangling pie crust and myriad fillings can be a LOT. Some years, we just don’t have it in us to bake even one pumpkin pie, not to mention the apple, pecan, and sweet potato pies we’ve also come to associate with the holiday dinner. Don’t even get us started on all the other events requiring desserts during the Thanksgiving season, like classroom parties or Friendsgivings. Luckily, there are so many dessert alternatives that will be just as welcome to your Thanksgiving dessert repertoire, like cupcakes. They’re perfect for every occasion, so we’ve assembled our 32 favorites for Thanksgiving—make them, and you might just create a new holiday tradition.
While we don’t always want to make a pie, we do still crave them year after year. Rather than completely miss out, turn them into cupcakes instead. Check out our pumpkin spice cupcakes, our boozy pecan pie cupcakes, our sweet potato pie cupcakes, or our apple pie stuffed cupcakes—they’re just as satisfying as their pie counterparts, but with way less work.
If you’re coming to this list because you don’t like traditional Thanksgiving flavors, we’ve got you too. There are a lot of classic dessert flavors that get pushed out in lieu of seasonal pies, and these cupcakes are a great way to inject some of them back into the mix. Check out our chocolate merlot cupcakes, our banana pudding cupcakes, our buckeye cupcakes, our cheesecake stuffed cupcakes, or our crème brûlée cupcakes for ideas, then bake them for any Thanksgiving occasion. Other chocolate fiends, fruit fans, or peanut butter heads at the table will be so grateful you did.
You could stick to your guns and make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, OR you could make these stupidly adorable chocolate cupcakes. These are so easy to make and will definitely win the hearts (and mouths) of all of your Turkey Day guests.
Thanksgiving is a time for food family, and fun. What better way to add some festive cheer to your Thanksgiving table than with cute turkey-themed cupcakes! These fun turkey cupcakes are a great way to get creative in the kitchen and are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Making turkey cupcakes is easy, even if you’re not a baking pro. With just a few simple ingredients and decorations, you can whip up a batch of adorable edible turkeys that look impressive but are totally doable. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make your own turkey cupcakes for Thanksgiving this year.
Ingredients and Supplies
To make turkey cupcakes. you’ll need
- Box cake mix (chocolate, vanilla, or flavor of your choice)
- Eggs, oil, water etc. to prepare cake mix
- Frosting (buttercream, canned, or homemade)
- Candy decorations:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Candy corn
- M&M’s
- Reese’s Pieces
- Candy eyeballs
- Licorice
- Pretzels
- Cupcake liners
- Piping bags and tips (optional)
Step 1: Bake Cupcakes
Start by baking a batch of cupcakes using your favorite cake mix and preparation method. I like to use a moist chocolate or vanilla mix for these.
Make sure to line your cupcake pan with liners. This makes the cupcakes easy to remove and decorate. Bake the cupcakes according to package directions until fully cooked.
Let the cupcakes cool completely before decorating. This prevents the frosting and candy from melting.
Step 2: Make Frosting
While your cupcakes cool, make the frosting. You can use canned frosting for convenience or make homemade. Cream cheese or chocolate frosting works great.
Be sure the frosting is thick enough to “glue” on the candy decorations. Add a bit more powdered sugar if needed to reach a good spreading consistency.
Step 3: Frost Cupcakes
Once cooled, frost each cupcake with a smooth, even layer of frosting. Try your best to get the tops as flat as possible.
The frosting acts as an adhesive for the candy pieces, so take your time spreading it neatly. A little extra frosting on hand can help re-attach any decor that starts to detach.
Step 4: Create Feathers
To form the feathers, carefully press Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s into the frosting in rows, starting at the bottom.
Work your way up the cupcake with rows in different colors. Overlap the rows slightly. Orange, brown, and yellow work well for a realistic turkey feather effect.
Step 5: Add Candy Features
Use candies and treats to decorate the turkey’s face:
- Peanut butter cup or chocolate kiss for the head
- Candy corn beak
- Candy eyes
- Red licorice wattle
- Reese’s Pieces tail feathers
Gently press each candy into the frosting, using a dot of extra frosting like “glue” if needed. Build up the features layer by layer for a 3D effect.
Turkey Cupcake Decorating Tips
- Refrigerate candies beforehand to prevent melting
- Use a toothpick for precision with small frosting dots
- Work over a sheet of wax paper to catch fallen candies
- Let kids help with decorating the faces
- Get creative with different candies – sprinkles, pretzels, etc.
Serving and Storing
Display your cute turkey cupcakes on a platter at your Thanksgiving dessert table. Or package them up in cupcake boxes or bags to give as favors or gifts.
To store, keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days max. Refrigeration can make frosting too firm.
Creative Ways to Decorate Thanksgiving Cupcakes
While candy turkeys are a classic, there are lots of ways to decorate cupcakes for Thanksgiving:
- Use fall-colored sprinkles or maple leaves
- Pipe on swirled “feathers” with frosting
- Press mini marshmallows into frosting for texture
- Top with fondant pilgrim hats
- Decorate with acorns, pumpkins, or autumn flowers
- Add “Give Thanks” messages with piping
- Shape cupcakes into mini pumpkins
Let your creativity shine through! The possibilities are endless when decorating cupcakes for Thanksgiving.
FAQs About Making Turkey Cupcakes
What if I don’t have candy corn for the beaks?
No worries – just substitute with small peanut butter candies or orange fruit chews cut in half.
Can I use vanilla cupcakes instead?
Absolutely! The turkey design will be just as cute on vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting.
What frosting works best?
Buttercream, cream cheese, or canned frosting all work well. Opt for frosting thick enough to hold the candies.
How far in advance can I decorate them?
You can bake cupcakes 1-2 days before decorating, but wait to add frosting and candies until ready to serve.
Can I use jumbo muffin liners instead of cupcake liners?
Yes, the turkey design adapts well to jumbo or standard muffin sizes. Just adjust candy sizing as needed.
Gobble Up Some Turkey Cupcake Fun!
Making adorable turkey cupcakes is the perfect way to add some seasonal fun to your Thanksgiving dessert spread. Kids and adults alike will have a blast helping decorate these edible turkeys. With a simple cake mix and candy toppings, you can whip up a batch of these cute, festive treats in no time. Hopefully this easy guide gives you the confidence to get creative in the kitchen and show off your cupcake decorating skills. Let your imagination run wild and make this Thanksgiving extra sweet with homemade turkey cupcakes! Gobble gobble!
Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a warm apple pie. Unfortunately, we dont always have time to make and chill pie dough. These cupcakes are the perfect solution!
Get the Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes recipe.
If youre looking for a perfect Thanksgiving cupcake, look no further. These easy sweets are full of pumpkin spice and topped with a simple cream cheese frosting. We love them sprinkled with some cinnamon sugar, but more pumpkin spice would also be delicious.
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Who doesnt love an ultra-creamy slice of cheesecake? This mini version is super-easy to make (no water bath!), but just as delicious as its full-size counterpart. Feel free to swap out the fruit for fall options like apples or pears to keep things seasonal.
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When you dont have time to grab or make a Boston creme pie, serve these cupcakes instead. Theyll be a welcome addition to any Thanksgiving dessert spread.
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Missing summertime smores? These pumpkin cupcakes take them fully into fall territory, perfect for Thanksgiving and all season long.
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The best part about these red velvet cupcakes is the mascarpone and cream cheese frosting. For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Set your eggs and buttermilk on the counter before you preheat your oven to ensure your batter comes together nicely.
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Chocolate and cheesecake are two desserts that dont get enough play around Thanksgiving, so why not add both to your spread in the form of these adorable cupcakes? Change up the sprinkles to fall colors or shapes, and youll be in business.
Get the Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes recipe.
Carrot cake isnt just for spring, and this recipe is proof. These cupcakes are full of warm spices and sweet carrots, making them the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving spread. The best part? Theyre topped with the most delicious cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
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Sure, Kahlúa is great in coffee (particularly while watching the Macys Day parade as you gear up for the big day), but its REALLY great in cupcakes. We added both coffee and Kahlúa to a boxed cake mix for a triple threat that were obsessed with.
Get the Kahlúa Chocolate Cupcakes recipe.
All you need to make these adorable little pumpkins are a mini Bundt pan, white cake mix, a little orange food coloring, white chocolate, your chocolate spread of choice (we like Nutella), and cinnamon sticks for the top. Theyre really a piece of cake to make!
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Lets be real. The filling in a cannoli is the best part, and thats why these cupcakes are so amazing—theyre stuffed to the brim with the good stuff.
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These cupcakes are ALL about the decoration (the cake itself is easy thanks to boxed cake mix), but all you need is some red food dye, green gummy candies, and pretzel sticks to make them look just like everyones favorite fall fruit: apples!
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These boozy cupcakes are spiked with red wine and topped with a fresh cherry-red wine frosting. And it all begins by hacking a boxed cake mix, so the whole process couldnt be easier.
Get the Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes recipe.
Have someone in the family who prefers watching football to the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade? Make these adorable cupcakes to show them you care (even as youre changing the channel back to check out inflatable Snoopy ).
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These are 10x better than anything youd pick up at the grocery store. These cupcakes bake up perfectly domed with an almost crunchy sugary top, making them completely irresistible. Pair them with our perfect vanilla buttercream, or get creative with your frosting flavor.
Get the Perfect Vanilla Cupcake recipe.
Who doesnt love a good pumpkin spice latte? These adorable little cheesecakes take all the autumnal flavors we love and marries them with creamy cheesecake filling. Were hooked.
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Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes
Sweet potato pie is practically a MUST at Thanksgiving, but it can get a little repetitive. Not so when you turn it into cupcakes! This easy recipe uses boxed cake mix to make some of the tastiest cupcakes weve ever had.
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