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!

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

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk and sour cream, until fully combined.
5. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting

1. Beat butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
2. Mix in vanilla, heavy cream, and cocoa powder, beating until fluffy.

Step 3: Decorate the Turkey Cupcakes

1. Frost each cupcake with brown buttercream using a piping bag.
2. Attach a peanut butter cup on top as the turkey’s head.
3. Stick candy corn into the frosting at the back to form turkey feathers.
4. Add candy eyes to the peanut butter cup.
5. Use an M&M or red icing for the turkey’s wattle.
6. 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**!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients Equipment Method

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

Equipment

• - Muffin tin
• - Cupcake liners
• - Hand or stand mixer
• - Piping bag & tips (for frosting)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls

Method

 

1. #### **Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes**
2. Preheat oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Line a **muffin tin with cupcake liners**.
3. In a bowl, whisk together **flour, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt**.
4. In another bowl, beat **butter and sugars** until fluffy. Add **eggs and vanilla**, mixing until smooth.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with **milk and sour cream**, until fully combined.
6. Fill cupcake liners **3/4 full** and bake for **18-20 minutes**. Let cool completely.
7. #### **Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting**
8. Beat **butter** until creamy. Slowly add **powdered sugar**, one cup at a time.
9. Mix in **vanilla, heavy cream, and cocoa powder**, beating until fluffy.
10. #### **Step 3: Decorate the Turkey Cupcakes**
11. **Frost each cupcake** with brown buttercream using a piping bag.
12. **Attach a peanut butter cup** on top as the turkey’s head.
13. **Stick candy corn** into the frosting at the back to form turkey feathers.
14. **Add candy eyes** to the peanut butter cup.
15. **Use an M&M or red icing** for the turkey’s wattle.
16. **Cut the tip off a candy corn** and attach it as the beak.