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Cozy Thanksgiving Hand Turkey Sugar Cookies – Easy Homemade Recipe

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These hand turkey sugar cookies are a fun, nostalgic Thanksgiving activity that turns cookie decorating into a memorable family project. With a buttery, tender sugar cookie base and colorful royal icing, each cookie is unique and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks, 226 grams)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Food coloring gels (red, orange, yellow, brown, green)
  • Candy corn
  • Mini chocolate chips or candy eyes
  • Orange decorating sugar or small orange candies
  • Piping bags or zip-top bags

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides, then add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Beat until combined, about 1 minute.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is better).
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
  7. Have each person press their hand firmly onto the dough to create an imprint. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, carefully cut around the handprint, leaving about 1/2 inch of dough around the fingers.
  8. Transfer the hand-shaped cookie to the prepared baking sheet using a thin spatula. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling scraps as needed. Place cookies about 2 inches apart.
  9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely.
  10. While the cookies cool, make the royal icing: In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Add 5 tablespoons of warm water and beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high and beat for 4-5 minutes until thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks. Add more water, one teaspoon at a time, if needed.
  11. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring: brown for the turkey body, orange for the beak and feet, red for the wattle, and various colors for the feathers.
  12. Using brown icing, pipe the turkey body in the center of the palm area. Use orange icing to pipe a small triangle beak and two little feet at the base. Add a tiny red wattle under the beak with red icing. Attach mini chocolate chips or candy eyes for the eyes.
  13. Pipe colored icing along each finger to represent feathers. While the icing is still wet, press candy corn into the icing along the fingers—pointy ends facing outward.
  14. Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours, or until the icing is completely hard and set.

Notes

Chill the dough for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading. For best results, chill shaped cookies for 10 minutes before baking. Royal icing needs 2-3 hours to set completely. Cookies taste even better the next day. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Do not refrigerate.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving cookies, hand turkey cookies, sugar cookies, holiday baking, kid-friendly, decorated cookies, turkey cookies

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/cozy-thanksgiving-hand-turkey-sugar-cookies-easy-homemade-recipe/