As Thanksgiving approaches, families across the nation eagerly plan their festive menus, often seeking out delightful treats that capture the spirit of the season. Look no further than these charming Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies! Crafted with classic Nutter Butter cookies, vibrant candy corn, whimsical edible eyes, and a small red candy, these easy-to-make Thanksgiving cookies are not only a delicious dessert but also double as adorable, edible table decor. They bring a touch of fun and festivity to any holiday gathering, delighting guests of all ages.

Why You’ll Love These Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies

These Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a joyful holiday experience waiting to happen. Requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, they are incredibly quick to whip up, making them an ideal project amidst the busy Thanksgiving preparations. Everyone loves a Nutter Butter cookie, and transforming them into cute turkeys adds an extra layer of delight. They serve a dual purpose: a delectable dessert and a whimsical piece of edible decor for your Thanksgiving dinner table. Imagine the smiles on your guests’ faces when they see these little turkeys adorning your spread!

Moreover, these cookies are a fantastic way to include little ones in the holiday festivities. My own children absolutely adore helping to assemble them, turning baking into a memorable family activity. It’s a wonderful project for kids of all ages, fostering creativity and providing a sense of accomplishment as they bring their turkeys to life. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are guaranteed to be a hit, adding charm and sweetness to your Thanksgiving.

Essential Nutter Butter Turkey Cookie Ingredients

One of the best aspects of this recipe is the simplicity of its ingredients. You can find everything you need pre-made at your local grocery store, offering a convenient shortcut when you have a multitude of tasks to prepare for the big feasting day. Here’s a detailed look at the simple components that bring these adorable turkeys to life:

• Large Nutter Butter Cookies: These iconic peanut-shaped, peanut butter-flavored sandwich cookies form the body of our turkey. Their distinct shape and delicious flavor are perfect for this festive creation. You’ll typically find them in the cookie aisle alongside other packaged baked goods.
• Nutter Butter Minis (or Nutter Butter Bites): These smaller versions are crucial for the turkey’s head. Their compact size makes them ideal for creating the right proportions. Look for them near their larger counterparts or in the snack aisle.
• Candy Corn: The quintessential fall candy, candy corn is used to create the turkey’s vibrant tail feathers and a small beak. While their flavor profile might be unique, their colors (yellow, orange, white) are perfectly suited for this design. Guests who aren’t keen on eating candy corn can easily remove them before enjoying the cookie. Ensure your candy corn is fresh for easy cutting.
• Mini Red Candies (e.g., Mini M&M’s): A single mini red candy serves as the turkey’s wattle, adding a pop of color and authenticity to its face. We recommend using M&M Minis baking bits, as they are often more economical and readily available near other baking chips. You’ll primarily need the red ones for this recipe, leaving plenty of other colors for future baking projects like Chewy Granola Bars!
• Edible Eyes: These small, sugary decorations instantly bring your turkeys to life with their playful gaze. You can easily find candy eyes at most grocery stores, craft shops, or online. For these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies, mini edible eyes work best, giving the turkeys a charming, cartoonish look. This kit is a great option, and we recommend using the smallest eyes included.
• Frosting: This acts as the edible glue, holding all the components of your turkey together. You have several convenient options: many grocery stores offer freshly made frosting in their bakery section (just ask!), or you can opt for a good quality tub of frosting. For those who enjoy homemade touches, whipping up your own frosting, such as cream cheese frosting, will add an extra layer of deliciousness.

Nutter Butter Turkey Cookie Assembly: A Step-by-Step Guide

Assembling these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies is a fun and straightforward process. While you don’t necessarily need specialized tools, using a piping bag fitted with a #3 tip can be particularly helpful for precisely attaching the smaller facial features. This ensures a clean and professional look for your turkeys. If you don’t have a piping bag, a simple homemade alternative works perfectly:

When you’re ready to assemble, gather all your ingredients and set up a clean workspace. The process is straightforward and fun, especially when shared with family members. Ensure your frosting is at a good consistency – not too runny, not too stiff – for optimal adhesion. Patience and a gentle touch will help you create perfect turkeys every time.

Creative Recipe Variations for Your Turkey Cookies

While the classic Nutter Butter Turkey Cookie is undeniably charming, there’s always room for a little creativity and customization! Here are some fun variations to tailor these treats to different tastes and preferences:

• For the Ultimate Peanut Butter Lover: If you or your guests are huge fans of peanut butter, elevate the flavor by replacing the cream cheese frosting with a rich peanut butter frosting. For an extra nutty kick, seek out peanut butter candy corn to replace the traditional variety. This combination truly maximizes the peanut butter experience!
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Face: Instead of using a miniature Nutter Butter cookie for the turkey’s face, consider a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup. Simply unwrap it and attach it wavy side up to the larger Nutter Butter. The chocolate and peanut butter combination is always a crowd-pleaser and adds a different texture.
• Skip the Candy Corn: Not everyone is a fan of candy corn, and that’s perfectly fine! Feel free to omit them if you prefer. A “bald” turkey is still incredibly cute and maintains the charm of the cookie. This variation simplifies the process even further.
• Festive Cupcake Toppers: Transform your Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies into delightful cupcake toppers! Gently press an assembled turkey onto your favorite cake mix cupcakes for an instant festive upgrade. This adds height and an extra element of fun to your dessert spread.
• Add Turkey Feet: For an even more detailed look, press two mini brown M&M’s at the bottom of the large Nutter Butter cookie to create adorable “turkey feet.” This small touch adds another layer of character to your edible creations.

Expert Tips for Perfect Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies

To ensure your Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies turn out perfectly and bring maximum joy, here are some invaluable tips to guide you through the process:

• Precision for the Beak: When cutting the candy corn for the turkey’s beak, use a very sharp serrated knife. This will help you achieve clean cuts without crushing or deforming the candy, resulting in neat, well-defined beaks for your turkeys.
• Fresh Frosting is Key: The consistency and adhesive power of your frosting are critical. Always use fresh frosting. If it has been sitting out for too long and has become dry, crusty, or too stiff, your candies won’t stick properly, and the assembly will be more challenging. Fresh, pliable frosting ensures all components adhere beautifully.
• Handle with Care: Once assembled, these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies can be quite delicate. Even after the frosting has set and hardened, they remain somewhat fragile and can fall apart if not handled gently. If you desire exceptionally sturdy turkey cookies, consider using royal icing instead of regular frosting. Royal icing dries very hard and creates a much more durable bond.
• Best Enjoyed Fresh: For the optimal taste and texture experience, these cookies are best made and enjoyed fresh. As assembled cookies sit out, especially in humid environments, the moisture from the frosting can cause the Nutter Butter cookies to soften and become soggy, while the cookies themselves might also become stale. Plan to assemble them closer to your serving time.
• Fresh Candy Corn Matters: Just like with frosting, the freshness of your candy corn is important. Old or hard candy corn tends to crumble and break rather than cut cleanly when you’re shaping the beaks. Fresher candy corn will yield much nicer, more precise cuts and shapes, making the assembly process smoother and the final product more appealing.

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5 from 2 votes

Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies

By
Chelsea Lords

Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are the cutest Thanksgiving treat! Made with Nutter Butter cookies, candy corn, edible eyes, and a red candy, they double as adorable edible table decor.

Prep Time:
20 minutes minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes minutes

Servings:
32 turkeys

Video

Equipment

• #3 piping tip with piping bag (optional, a small plastic bag can be used)

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 (16-ounce) container cream cheese frosting store-bought or homemade (see note 1)
• ▢ 1 (16-ounce) package Nutter Butter cookies (yields 32 turkeys)
• ▢ 1 (8-ounce) package mini Nutter Butter Bites (see note 2)
• ▢ 64 candy eyeballs (see note 3, use the smallest size)
• ▢ 1 (20-ounce) bag candy corn (see note 4, ensure fresh)
• ▢ 32 miniature red candies (we use mini M&M’s)

Instructions

1. Prepare your frosting bag. Fill a plastic bag with the frosting and press it towards one corner, or use a piping bag fitted with a #3 tip. If using a plastic bag, seal it, removing any air, and then snip off a small piece of the corner with scissors to create a homemade piping bag. This tool will be helpful for precision when attaching the smaller facial features of the turkey.
2. Arrange the large Nutter Butter cookies on a clean surface. Take three pieces of candy corn, frost the back of each, and gently press them onto the top portion of each large Nutter Butter cookie to form the turkey’s tail feathers. Next, frost the back of the mini Nutter Butter Bites and attach them to the bottom third of the large Nutter Butter cookies, serving as the turkey’s head. Finally, frost the back of two edible eye candies and carefully attach them to the mini Nutter Butter cookie “head”.
3. To create the beak, select some candy corns and, using a sharp, serrated knife, carefully cut off the yellow and white tip portions, leaving only the orange section. Cut the orange part in half and gently shape it with your fingers to resemble a turkey’s beak. Apply a small amount of frosting to the back of this “beak” and attach it to the mini Nutter Butter cookie, just below the edible eyes.
4. For the wattle, frost the side of one miniature red candy (like a mini M&M) and attach it to the side of the candy corn “beak.” This adds a classic turkey detail.
5. Allow the frosting to dry and set completely. This will help secure all the decorative elements. Once set, your Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are ready to enjoy! Remember to move these cookies carefully, as even when the frosting hardens, they can still be somewhat fragile.

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Frosting): Many grocery stores offer freshly made frosting in their bakery section, which can be an excellent alternative to tub frosting. You can also use our homemade cream cheese frosting for a gourmet touch! If using store-bought tub frosting, you likely won’t use the entire container for this recipe. Store any leftovers covered in the fridge according to package directions.

Note 2 (Mini Nutter Butter Bites Alternative): If you’re having trouble locating miniature Nutter Butter bites, mini Reese’s peanut butter cups make a fantastic substitute. Simply unwrap them and attach them wavy side up to the large Nutter Butter.

Note 3 (Edible Eyes): Edible candy eyes are widely available! Check craft and hobby stores, most larger chain grocery stores in the baking aisle, or easily purchase them online. For these specific cookies, mini edible eyes create the cutest effect. This kit is a good recommendation, and we suggest using the smallest eyes in the package.

Note 4 (Candy Corn Quality): The freshness of your candy corn is crucial for easy assembly. Old or hardened candy corns do not cut well and tend to crumble, making it difficult to form neat beaks. Always ensure you have fresh, pliable candy corn for the best results.

Nutrition Note: The nutrition information provided is an approximation, calculated based on packaged frosting and standard ingredient sizes. Individual values may vary.

Storage: These delightful Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are truly at their best when enjoyed on the same day they are assembled. If stored for too long, the frosting can cause the cookies to become soft and soggy, and the cookies themselves may lose their freshness. For optimal flavor and texture, plan to make and serve them relatively close to your event.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Serving: 1cookie |
Calories: 134kcal |
Carbohydrates: 28g |
Protein: 1g |
Fat: 3g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 1mg |
Sodium: 75mg |
Potassium: 5mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 26g |
Vitamin A: 1IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 1mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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