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+ servings
Sugar cookie decorated like a turkey.
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5 from 4 votes

Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies Recipe

Transform sugar cookies into turkeys with this easy Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies Recipe. These adorable sugar cookies decorated as turkeys will make a festive thanksgiving dessert.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Allow to Cool5 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies
Servings: 24
Calories: 473kcal

Ingredients

FOR THE COOKIES:

  • 2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 1 cup Butter softened at room temperature
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk
  • 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

FOR THE CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

  • 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened at room temperature
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 2 Tbsp Milk
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Brown Food

FOR THE DECORATIONS:

  • 24 Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • 48 Candy Eyes
  • 1 bag Candy Corn
  • 24 Orange Mini M&Ms
  • 24 Gummy Worms cut in half

Instructions

FOR THE COOKIES:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Then set aside. In a separate bowl, beat together with either a hand held mixer or a stand up mixer the butter with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  • Then add in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla.  Beat until combined.  Change the speed on the mixture to a low speed and slowly add in the flour mixture until just combined.  Be careful not to over mix the ingredients.
  • Use a cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough into approximately 1/2 Tbsp size balls onto the baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are very slightly brown and the cookies are set.
  • Then allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

FOR THE FROSTING:

  • Cream together the butter, powdered sugar and cocoa powder until combined and smooth.
  • Then add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

FOR THE DECORATIONS:

  • Decorate the top of each cookie with the chocolate frosting.
  • Then use the candy corn to make the tail of the turkeys around the top of the cookies.
  • Then place a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup in the lower center of each cookie.
  • Use the leftover frosting to place the candy eyes, orange M&M and half of a gummy worm to make the face of the turkey on the miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup.
  • Let the frosting set at room temperature and then the cookies are ready to serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure not to overlap the cookies so that they decorations aren't ruined while storing.
These cookies are great to make ahead for the holidays. I love making these the night before serving them!
These cookies can also be made with pre-made cookie dough or frosting to save even more time in the kitchen!

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 446IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
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