Thanksgiving is all about gathering, gratitude, and of course, the food. While the turkey and stuffing get a lot of attention, the desserts are where the real fun begins. If you’re looking for Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Treats that will delight both kids and adults, you’ve come to the right place. These Festive Turkey Cupcake Ideas are not only delicious but also incredibly simple to make, even for beginner bakers.
Using a simple box of chocolate cake mix and some creative candies, you can whip up a flock of adorable turkey cupcakes that will be the star of the dessert table. They are one of the most Cute Thanksgiving Desserts Easy to assemble and a fantastic way to get the little ones involved in the kitchen festivities. Let’s get started on these fun Thanksgiving Themed Desserts!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a dessert that’s both tasty and fun to look at? These turkey cupcakes are a winner for so many reasons. First, they are incredibly straightforward. By using a boxed cake mix and pre made frosting, you cut down on a lot of prep time, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. This makes them one of the best Quick And Easy Thanksgiving Desserts you can find.
They are also a huge hit with children. Decorating the turkeys is a wonderful activity to keep kids entertained while you focus on the main meal. They get to be creative with the candy feathers, eyes, and noses, making each cupcake unique. It’s a great way to make some sweet holiday memories together. Plus, the combination of chocolate cake, creamy frosting, and peanut butter candies is a flavor profile that everyone enjoys.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to gather to create these adorable turkey cupcakes. The ingredient list is simple, and you can find everything at your local grocery store.
- 1 box Chocolate Cake Mix (15.25 oz)
- Ingredients to make the cake based on the package instructions (usually oil, water, and eggs)
- 24 Orange Cupcake Liners
- 16 oz Pre made Chocolate Frosting
- 24 Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- 1 bag Reese’s Pieces
- 48 Candy Eyes
- 12 Red Gummy Worms
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to bring these little turkeys to life? It’s easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of festive treats in no time. Remember to have fun with it!
Step 1: Bake The Cupcakes
First things first, let’s get the cupcakes baked. Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the directions on the box. Line your cupcake pan with the 24 orange cupcake liners and fill each one about two thirds full with the batter. Bake them as instructed and then let them cool completely at room temperature. This part is important because warm cupcakes will melt the frosting.
Step 2: Frost The Cupcakes
Once your cupcakes are completely cool, it’s time for the frosting. Using a knife or a small spatula, spread a smooth, flat layer of the pre made chocolate frosting on top of each cupcake. You don’t need a fancy piping bag for this; a simple, even coat is all you need to create the base for our turkeys.
Step 3: Create The Turkey Feathers
Now for the fun part, the decorations! Start by creating the turkey feathers using the Reese’s Pieces. You’ll want to add three colorful rows to the top half of each cupcake. For the best look, start with an outer row of orange candies, placing about eight pieces. Follow that with an inner row of about seven brown pieces, and finish with a small row of five yellow pieces.
Step 4: Add The Turkey’s Head And Face
Next, it’s time to give our turkeys a head. Gently press one mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each cupcake, just below the candy feathers. This will form the turkey’s body and head. To create the nose, or beak, take 12 of the orange Reese’s Pieces and carefully cut them in half. Use a tiny dab of chocolate frosting to stick one half onto the front of each peanut butter cup.
Step 5: Add The Eyes And Wattle
Your turkeys need to see! Adhere two candy eyes onto each peanut butter cup, just above the nose. A little bit of frosting works like glue to hold them in place. For the final touch, the wattle, cut each of the 12 red gummy worms in half. Use another small dab of frosting to attach one half next to the nose on each peanut butter cup. And just like that, your cupcakes are ready to enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any of these adorable turkey cupcakes left over, storing them is easy. Place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. You can store them at room temperature for up to five days. This makes them a great make ahead dessert for your Thanksgiving celebration, freeing up your time on the big day.
Tips
To make your cupcake making experience even smoother, here are a few extra tips. Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before you start decorating. If they are even a little bit warm, the frosting will slide right off, and the candy decorations won’t stick properly. Patience is key here!
If you want to get creative, feel free to switch up the candy colors for the feathers. You could use all yellow or all brown if you prefer. This is a great place to let the kids experiment. Also, when you’re cutting the Reese’s Pieces for the nose, a small, sharp knife works best for a clean cut.
Conclusion
These Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Treats are a delightful addition to any holiday spread. Not only do they look festive and fun, but they also taste wonderful. Creating these Festive Turkey Cupcake Ideas is a simple and enjoyable process that brings a little extra joy to your kitchen. They are a perfect example of how Thanksgiving Themed Desserts can be both simple and impressive. I hope you and your family have a fantastic time making and eating these cute turkey cupcakes!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Cake Mix?
Absolutely! While chocolate is a classic choice, feel free to use a yellow, white, or even a spice cake mix. Any flavor that pairs well with chocolate and peanut butter will work beautifully. It’s a great way to customize the recipe to your family’s preferences.
What If I Can’t Find Candy Eyes?
No problem at all. If you can’t find candy eyes at your local store, you can easily make your own. Just use a little bit of white frosting to create two small dots for the eyes and then add a smaller dot of black frosting or a chocolate sprinkle for the pupils.
Can I Make These Nut Free?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be nut free. Instead of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces, you can use chocolate kisses or chocolate covered caramels for the head. For the feathers, M&Ms or Skittles are great colorful alternatives that will give you the same festive look without the nuts.
Festive Turkey Cupcakes
These adorable and festive turkey cupcakes are a quick and easy Thanksgiving treat that will delight both kids and adults. Using a simple box of chocolate cake mix and creative candies, you can assemble a fun dessert that’s perfect for the holiday table.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the box directions. Line a cupcake pan with 24 orange liners, fill two-thirds full, and bake as instructed. Let cupcakes cool completely.
- Once cool, spread a smooth, flat layer of chocolate frosting on top of each cupcake.
- Create the turkey feathers by adding three colorful rows of Reese’s Pieces to the top half of each cupcake. Start with an outer row of orange, followed by a row of brown, and finish with a small inner row of yellow.
- Gently press one mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each cupcake below the feathers. For the beak, cut an orange Reese’s Piece in half and attach it to the front of the peanut butter cup with a dab of frosting.
- Adhere two candy eyes onto each peanut butter cup above the nose using frosting. For the wattle, cut a red gummy worm in half and attach one half next to the nose with frosting. Your turkey cupcakes are ready!
Notes
Cooling is Key: Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting. Warm cupcakes will melt the frosting, making it difficult for the candy to stick.
Nut-Free Option: To make these nut-free, substitute chocolate kisses for the peanut butter cups and use M&Ms or Skittles for the feathers and beak.
Make Ahead: These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, making them a great dessert to prepare in advance.
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