Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and delicious food — and that includes desserts.
While pumpkin pie is a classic, Thanksgiving cookies decorated like turkeys are quickly becoming a new favorite.
They’re cute, colorful, and fun for both kids and adults to make.
Whether you’re hosting dinner, gifting treats, or planning a baking activity with your family, these 14 turkey-themed cookie ideas will bring joy and sweetness to your holiday table.
1. Turkey Sugar Cookies
Start with the basics — soft sugar cookies shaped like turkeys.
Use royal icing in fall colors like orange, red, yellow, and brown to decorate the feathers.
Add candy eyes and a little orange icing for the beak.
These cookies are simple but festive, perfect for beginner decorators.
2. Chocolate Turkey Cookies
Chocolate lovers will adore these cookies.
Make a batch of rich chocolate dough, cut into turkey shapes, and decorate using melted chocolate, candy corn feathers, and M&M details.
The glossy chocolate finish makes them look extra special on your dessert tray.
3. Peanut Butter Cup Turkeys
Use mini peanut butter cups as the turkey body.
Place them on round cookies and decorate with candy corn feathers, candy eyes, and red icing for the wattle.
They’re easy to assemble, making them ideal for kids’ baking parties.
4. Oreo Turkey Cookies
This no-bake option is as easy as it is adorable.
Use Oreos as the turkey body and press candy corn into the cream for feathers.
Attach a malt ball or Reese’s Pieces for the head, then add candy eyes.
These cookies are crowd-pleasers that disappear fast!
5. Pumpkin Spice Turkey Cookies
Combine the cozy flavor of pumpkin spice with cute turkey decorations.
Use pumpkin-flavored dough and decorate with cinnamon icing.
Add candy feathers or drizzle with white chocolate for a warm, autumn-inspired cookie.
6. Turkey Thumbprint Cookies
Make your classic thumbprint cookies festive by adding a chocolate or caramel center and candy corn arranged like feathers on top.
The combination of soft cookie and chewy candy gives every bite a Thanksgiving twist.
7. Turkey Sandwich Cookies
Layer two cookies with frosting or Nutella, then decorate the top with icing feathers and a small candy head.
These sandwich-style cookies look gourmet but are surprisingly easy to make at home.
8. Iced Shortbread Turkey Cookies
Crisp, buttery shortbread cookies make the perfect canvas for detailed turkey designs.
Outline your cookies with royal icing and use piping bags to add colorful feather patterns.
For a shimmer effect, sprinkle a bit of edible glitter.
9. Candy Corn Feather Cookies
Let candy corn take center stage.
Arrange the candies as feathers on round cookies, using melted chocolate to attach them.
Add a peanut butter candy for the turkey’s face.
These are fun to assemble and require minimal baking skills.
10. Thanksgiving Turkey Cutout Cookies
Grab your turkey-shaped cookie cutter and bake a batch of cutout cookies.
Use tinted royal icing to paint feathers, wings, and faces.
You can even personalize each cookie with a family member’s name for place settings.
11. Gluten-Free Turkey Cookies
For guests with dietary restrictions, make gluten-free turkey cookies using almond or oat flour.
Decorate with naturally colored icing made from beet, turmeric, and spinach powders for a wholesome, allergen-friendly option.
12. Mini Turkey Cookies
Tiny cookies can be just as festive! Use a small circle cutter to make bite-sized turkeys.
Decorate with tiny candy eyes, a dab of red icing for the wattle, and mini chocolate chips for feathers.
They make great party favors or snack-sized treats.
13. Turkey Handprint Cookies
For a nostalgic, kid-friendly twist, create turkey cookies inspired by the classic handprint turkey craft.
Use hand-shaped cutters or trace outlines, then decorate the fingers as feathers and the thumb as the head.
A sweet activity for family baking time.
14. Elegant Royal Icing Turkeys
For a more refined look, use detailed piping techniques to create realistic turkeys with layered feathers and fine outlines.
These cookies are perfect for gifting or displaying on your Thanksgiving dessert table.
Try metallic icing accents for a show-stopping finish.
🦃 Tips for Decorating Turkey Cookies
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Use gel food coloring for vibrant fall shades.
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Chill dough before cutting shapes for cleaner edges.
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Pipe in stages: Outline first, then fill in the center after it dries slightly.
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Store properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container to preserve icing details.
Decorated turkey cookies are more than just desserts — they’re a creative way to celebrate Thanksgiving.
From simple candy corn designs to elegant royal icing creations, these 14 cookie ideas bring together fun, flavor, and festive flair.
Bake them for your feast, gift them to loved ones, or make them as a family tradition that everyone will look forward to year after year.
