Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without pie, but add this easy-to-make turkey cupcake to your dessert table for the extra wow factor. Or add them to the kids’ table for some instant smiles:)
Hi Shabby Creek Readers! Laura back again from Left on Peninsula Road to show you an easy way to dress up your favorite cupcakes for Thanksgiving.
Supplies Needed for Turkey Cupcakes
- Cupcakes (1 per Turkey)
- Pretzel Sticks
- Pretzel Rods (broken in thirds)
- Candy Melts (orange, red, and yellow)
- Edible Candy Eyes
- Orange M&M’s (cut in half for beak)
You will also need also icing bags (or small plastic bags) for piping the candy melts, a pair of scissors, and wax paper.
How to Make Candy-Coated Feathers for Turkey Cupcakes
To make the turkey feathers, I used candy melts and pretzel sticks. I chose red, orange, and yellow candy melts for mine. (I happened to already have those colors which made my choice an easy one!)
Line a baking sheet or flat tray with wax paper. Arrange pretzel sticks in rows. Melt one cup of candy melts in a plastic icing bag. (Follow package for melting instructions. Kneed the icing bag rather than stirring.) Cut a small hole in the tip of the icing bag and pipe melting candy back and forth over pretzel sticks to create feather shapes. I found that a tight figure-eight motion back and forth across the pretzel worked best for me. Leave about one third of the pretzel stick exposed for pressing into the cupcake. Chill before carefully removing from the wax paper. Repeat for each desired color. Make a few more than you need in case any crack when you remove them from the wax paper. Once hardened, store in a covered container until serving.
How to Make Turkey Faces for Thanksgiving Cupcakes
For the turkey faces, break pretzel rods into thirds. You will need two eyes and one candy beak for each turkey. I cut orange M&M’s in half for beaks but you could substitute other orange candies or candy corn. Attach the eyes and beak with a little melted candy-coating. Set aside to harden.
Assembling Your Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes
To assemble your turkey cupcakes, press one of the pretzel rod turkey faces into each cupcake. Arrange three or more candy-coated pretzel feathers to complete the turkey:)
I stored the candy feathers and faces and the cupcakes separately until ready to serve and assembled them as I put them on the dessert platter. I think this kept the pretzels from getting soggy from the frosting, but mostly it made the cupcakes easier to store. Once assembled, they’re a little tall.
That’s all there is to it! Have fun adding these Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes to your dessert table. So cute!
Or assemble them with your children or grandchildren at the kids’ table. Wouldn’t that be fun? Add a Thanksgiving coloring page or two and some crayons and you’ll be all set.
Happy Fall! Join me over at Left on Peninsula Road for more simple crafts and holiday ideas. The long Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to get started on some Christmas crafting.
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