These adorable Turkey Cupcakes are the perfect Thanksgiving dessert, combining moist cupcakes, creamy frosting, and fun candy decorations to create a festive treat. They’re easy to make, kid-friendly, and guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday gathering!
With rich chocolate or vanilla cupcakes, a buttery frosting, and colorful candy “feathers,” these turkey-themed cupcakes are as fun to decorate as they are to eat.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Hand or stand mixer
- Piping bag & tips (for frosting)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients Overview
- Cupcakes: Choose chocolate or vanilla for a classic base.
- Frosting: Buttercream or cream cheese frosting works best for decorating.
- Candy Decorations: Candy eyes, candy corn, and M&Ms bring the turkeys to life!
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes (Makes 12)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (if making chocolate cupcakes)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream (for extra moisture)
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (for a brown turkey color)
For Decorating
- Candy eyes
- Candy corn (for feathers and beak)
- Mini peanut butter cups (for the turkey’s head)
- Red M&Ms or red icing (for the wattle)
Directions
Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk and sour cream, until fully combined.
- Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting
- Beat butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
- Mix in vanilla, heavy cream, and cocoa powder, beating until fluffy.
Step 3: Decorate the Turkey Cupcakes
- Frost each cupcake with brown buttercream using a piping bag.
- Attach a peanut butter cup on top as the turkey’s head.
- Stick candy corn into the frosting at the back to form turkey feathers.
- Add candy eyes to the peanut butter cup.
- Use an M&M or red icing for the turkey’s wattle.
- Cut the tip off a candy corn and attach it as the beak.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Nutrition (per cupcake, ~12 servings)
- Calories: ~320
- Fat: ~14g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Protein: ~4g
Expert Tips
- For Extra Moist Cupcakes: Don’t overmix the batter—just combine until smooth.
- To Make It Kid-Friendly: Let kids decorate their own turkey cupcakes with different candies!
- Make Ahead: Bake cupcakes a day in advance and decorate just before serving.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! Store undecorated cupcakes at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze the cupcakes?
Yes! Freeze baked cupcakes (without frosting) for up to 3 months.
What’s the best way to store decorated cupcakes?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-Free: Swap butter for vegan butter and milk for almond milk.
- Different Flavors: Try pumpkin spice cupcakes or caramel frosting for a fall twist!
Turkey Cupcakes Recipe
These adorable **Turkey Cupcakes** are the perfect **Thanksgiving dessert**, combining **moist cupcakes, creamy frosting, and fun candy decorations** to create a festive treat. They’re **easy to make, kid-friendly, and guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday gathering**!
Equipment
- - Muffin tin
- - Cupcake liners
- - Hand or stand mixer
- - Piping bag & tips (for frosting)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- #### **For the Cupcakes** Makes 12
- - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder if making chocolate cupcakes
- - 1 teaspoon baking powder
- - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- - 1/2 teaspoon salt
- - 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- - 1/2 cup brown sugar
- - 2 eggs
- - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- - 3/4 cup milk
- - 1/4 cup sour cream for extra moisture
- #### **For the Buttercream Frosting**
- - 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- - 3 cups powdered sugar
- - 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for a brown turkey color
- #### **For Decorating**
- - Candy eyes
- - Candy corn for feathers and beak
- - Mini peanut butter cups for the turkey’s head
- - Red M&Ms or red icing for the wattle
Instructions
- #### **Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes**
- Preheat oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Line a **muffin tin with cupcake liners**.
- In a bowl, whisk together **flour, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt**.
- In another bowl, beat **butter and sugars** until fluffy. Add **eggs and vanilla**, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with **milk and sour cream**, until fully combined.
- Fill cupcake liners **3/4 full** and bake for **18-20 minutes**. Let cool completely.
- #### **Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting**
- Beat **butter** until creamy. Slowly add **powdered sugar**, one cup at a time.
- Mix in **vanilla, heavy cream, and cocoa powder**, beating until fluffy.
- #### **Step 3: Decorate the Turkey Cupcakes**
- **Frost each cupcake** with brown buttercream using a piping bag.
- **Attach a peanut butter cup** on top as the turkey’s head.
- **Stick candy corn** into the frosting at the back to form turkey feathers.
- **Add candy eyes** to the peanut butter cup.
- **Use an M&M or red icing** for the turkey’s wattle.
- **Cut the tip off a candy corn** and attach it as the beak.
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