Cute Turkey Desserts for Thanksgiving
Turkey desserts are an easy way to add something fun to your Thanksgiving table, especially when you’re celebrating with kids.
These cute treats turn cookies, cupcakes, brownies, pretzels and other familiar favorites into colorful little turkeys.
Most of these Thanksgiving dessert ideas use simple decorating supplies such as candy corn, candy eyes, chocolate and frosting.
You’ll find quick no-bake options, make-ahead recipes and desserts kids can help assemble for Thanksgiving dinner, classroom parties or a holiday baking day at home.
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What Can I Make for a Turkey-Themed Dessert?
You don’t need a complicated recipe to make a dessert look like a turkey. Start with an easy base and add candy or frosting to create the face and feathers.
Some of the easiest choices include:
- Cookies and Oreos
- Cupcakes and brownies
- Chocolate-covered strawberries
- Pretzels and candy
- Marshmallow pops
- Rice Krispie treats
- Doughnuts
- Puff pastry treats
If you need something fast, choose a recipe that starts with store-bought cookies, doughnuts or brownies. Cupcakes, puff pastries and pull-apart cakes are better choices when you want a larger dessert for your Thanksgiving table.
Supplies for Making Turkey Treats
The exact ingredients will depend on the recipe, but it helps to have a few easy decorating supplies available:
- Candy corn for feathers and beaks
- Candy eyes
- Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks
- Chocolate chips or candy melts
- Fall-colored M&M’s
- Oreos or other sandwich cookies
- Peanut butter cups
- Fall sprinkles
- Piping bags or resealable plastic bags
- Parchment or wax paper
Place the candy and decorations in small bowls before you begin. This makes it much easier for kids to assemble their treats without searching through bags and packages.
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Tips for Making Turkey Desserts
- Use melted chocolate, candy melts or frosting as edible glue. Hold each decoration in place for a few seconds so it has time to stick.
- Allow dipped treats to set before adding more details. If the chocolate is too warm, the decorations may slide.
- Use parchment paper under chocolate-covered treats to make cleanup easier and prevent sticking.
- Prepare the dessert bases ahead of time. Brownies and cupcakes can usually be baked a day before you plan to decorate them.
- Let kids create their own turkeys. The feathers and faces don’t need to match for the treats to look festive.
- Check for allergies before serving treats containing peanut butter cups, Nutter Butter cookies or other nut-based ingredients.
Most turkey desserts can be made one or two days ahead. Store cookies, brownies and cereal treats in an airtight container, and refrigerate anything made with fruit or cream cheese. Add crunchy decorations shortly before serving so they don’t soften.
How to Choose the Right Turkey Dessert
- For a classroom or kids’ Thanksgiving party, choose individual treats that are easy to pick up and serve. Turkey cookies, marshmallow pops, pretzels and Rice Krispie treats are all convenient options.
- For Thanksgiving dinner, cupcakes, brownies or the turkey pull-apart cake will feel more like a traditional dessert. Chocolate-covered strawberries and puff pastries are good choices if you want something that looks a little more special without requiring complicated decorating.
- If children will be helping, set up an assembly station with the dessert bases, frosting and decorations in separate bowls.
- A Thanksgiving no-bake recipe will allow them to do most of the work themselves.
More Easy Thanksgiving Ideas
- Thanksgiving cupcakes are a festive way to bring color and fun to your holiday dessert table.
- Cozy up with fall dessert recipes that highlight warm spices, apples, pumpkin, and everything in between.
15 Fun Turkey Desserts to Make This Thanksgiving
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