Every Thanksgiving I look for something small and fun for the table, these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are my answer! I set one at each place setting, and they work as a no bake craft and dessert in one. Mostly, they are whimsical and a conversation starter by all who see them. My boys loved making them, and even the adults get involved too.
The turkey feathers are candy corn, there is no oven and no mess, just 15 minutes to make and put together. My teenage son loved making these with his friends as an activity and I can't wait to make them with my granddaughters too. They can help place the candy eyes and feathers.
Turkey Cookies are also ideal for an early holiday cookie exchange or place on top of cupcakes to dress them up!
Being a mom of boys I learned quickly the importance of making treats fun, quick and easy. There was always a need for activities like this one with their friends who impress a certain someone.
What are Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies?
Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies are no bake Thanksgiving cookies. A Nutter Butter is the turkey body, Fudge Stripe cookies and candy corn make the feathers, and candy eyes with an M&M beak finish the face. They take about 15 minutes and do not need an oven. Make as many or as little as you need.
"I let the teens make these with friends. They had the BEST time. And your tips helped so much. Thank you!"
~ Jen
How I tested these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
I made these turkey cookies multiple times before settling on this version. I tried using sandwich cookies, fudge striped cookies, and even different types of candy to decorate. Ultimately setting on the traditional favorites. The thin fudge stripe cookie was idea as a back, and the Nutter Butter cookie was an ideal shape for the body of the turkey.
It's important to wait until the melted chocolate fully cools and sets before trying to move these little turkey's or the candy decoration won't stay put. Once set, the chocolate holds like glue.
You can make ahead and store them in a sealed container, but I did find that with all cookies they will soften over time and lose that crisp crunch you might enjoy. It's best to make the day before you plan to use them.
What You Need for Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
A closer look at each ingredient and its role in the recipe.
- Fudge Strip Cookies: This cookie will hold everything together and give the tail feather support.
- Nutter Butter Cookies: Use as the body of the turkey.
- Decorations: Candy Eyes, Candy Corn, and orange M&M's.
- Melting Chocolate Wafers: Melted, this is the glue to hold everything together.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
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- Piping Bags for melted chocolate
- Glass Bowls to melt chocolate in
- Candy Eyes
- Fudge Stripe Cookies
How to make Turkey Cookies with Candy Corn
Making Nutter Butter Turkeys is so fun. Gab the kids and teens and let them help. The memories are priceless.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, wax paper or use a silicone baking mat. The purpose is to easily lift cookies after chocolate has harden and for easy clean up. Gather the rest of the ingredients needed. I like to use a small bowl to put the candy eyes and M&M's in and other small turkey ingredients.
The tail feathers are made with Candy Corn Candy. The traditional Yellow, Orange and White candies are perfect to use. Or try Fall Harvest Corn as a fun substitution for turkey feathers.
Nutter Butter Cookies are a peanut butter cookie sandwich in the shape of a peanut. The shape is ideal when making Turkey cookies. You can also use a Milano Cookie which is a tasty option.
Optional Standing Turkey Cookies
To go a little further you can easily make a standing Turkey with an additional fudge stripe cookie and melted chocolate. Adding yellow mini chocolate chips for the feet is a fun added touch.
Pipe chocolate around the hole of the Fudge Strop Cookie and place Turkey on top. Turkey needs to be fully set before adding base.
Prop turkey up to allow chocolate to harden and set into place.
Step by Step Tips
Melt chocolate chips or chocolate wafer candy in the microwave using a small bowl. Heat for 30 second intervals and then stir. Heat for 15 second increments and stir chocolate until smooth. If additional time is needed to melt chocolate add 15 more seconds and stir.
Spread melted chocolate on Nutter Butter cookie and press onto back of fudge stripe cookie as shown below. The melted chocolate will act as glue holding ingredients together as it cools. Place on baking sheet.
Fudge Stripe Cookie will hold tail feathers made of candy corn and the Nutter Butter cookie is the turkey body. Add melted chocolate to 5 pieces of candy corn candies and place on Fudge Strip Cookies creating a fan of color.
Using drops of chocolate stick on candy eyes and M&M for a turkey beak. Add some red frosting as the Turkey waddle for a finishing touch.
For the full recipe with ingredients and directions see recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Which Cookies Work Best for Turkey Cookies?
I tried using sandwich cookies for the body and found the natural shape of the Nutter Butter cookie I liked better. I also tried using a sandwich cookie to attach the tail feathers too, and found the weight of the sandwich cookie was too much. The thinner Fudge Strip cookie held and stayed put.
Can I use Something Other Than Candy Corn for the Feathers?
Of course. Try using Gumdrops, dipped pretzels or regular pretzels, or even marshmallows. Be creative and have fun! You can also try nuts, or different colors of frosting.
Thanksgiving Cookies Kids Can Help Make
On a busy day like Thanksgiving, it's fun to have a craft or activities to include the littles. This is a perfect treat to let those little hands help with. Younger children like my grand daughters can help put on the candy eyes, and candy corn feathers.
When my son was younger he and his friends would make these as a group activities. They could manage it all with very little supervision and had a great time with his friends.
Pro Tips
Tips and tricks to make this recipe turn out perfect every time
- Chocolate: Adding small dabs of melted chocolate on the backs of the candy eyes act as glue and will stick to the cookie.
- Frostin: Use Store-bought frosting to make waddle. Purchase a tupe to apply easy or use a red candy
- Substitutions: Use mini chocolate chips in place of candy eyes.
- Turkey Feet: Mini M&M candies can be placed on bottom of nutter butter cookie as turkey feet. Optional
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
No, They are a no bake cookie. With 15 minutes of prep and no cook time.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I make them a day ahead.
Yes, it's a fun craft to do with kids. The littles can help add the candy corn and the eyes. The teens can make by themselves with supervision.
Heat chocolate chips or melting chocolate in the microwave for 30 second intervals. Stirring between each. Add 15 second bursts neat the end of needed.
How to Store Turkey Cookies
Store Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies in an airtight container or large ZipLoc bag. Place parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Cookies can be stored at room temperature up to a week.
Thanksgiving Place Settings and Other Ways to Serve Turkey Cookies
Making No Bake Thanksgiving Treats are fun to serve at Thanksgiving Dinner or with the Thanksgiving Table. It's also a wonderful Thanksgiving Crafts to keep all the kids, both big and small, entertained while dinner is cooking.
They would such a cute idea to use as place settings. Make at a school party as fall treats and let the kids take them home to enjoy. A sweet treat for a perfect time of year.
More Recipes
Of course if you are looking for more Thanksgiving Desserts I've got delicious Pecan Pie Bars that are truly a favorite or Pie Crust Cookies. We also love making Caramel Apple Nachos with sliced up caramel apples.
Or try dipping Graham Crackers in this Pumpkin Fluff dip. And here is a list of favorite pie recipes too for all your fall dessert needs.
- Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies
- Ghost Nutter Butter Cookies
- Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
- White Chocolate Candy Corn Cookies
- Pumpkin No Bake Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies
- Spice Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies
Have you made these Easy Turkey Cookies? Make sure to Tag @bestcookierecipes on social media. I love to see your photos. Make sure to leave me a comment below and rate this recipe. I sure appreciate it!
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Fudge Strip Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies
Ingredients
- 12 Nutter Butter Cookies
- 12 Fudge Striped Cookies Plus 12 Fudge Striped Cookies for Standing Turkey Cookies
- 60 Candy Corn Cookies
- 24 Candy Eyeballs
- 12 Chocolate Candies M&M's Orange or Yellow for Beak
- 48 Mini M&M Candies Orange or Yellow for Feet (Standing Turkey Cookies only)
- ½ Cup Chocolate Chips Melted
Instructions
Basic Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
- Place Nutter Butter Cookies on baking Sheet 12 Nutter Butter Cookies
- Melt Chocolate Chips in microwaveable safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir chips and melt for an additional 30 seconds. Stir. If more time is needed heat for 15 seconds and stir. Repeat until smooth ½ Cup Chocolate Chips
- Place melted chocolate in piping bag or zip log back. Snip small corner off bag to pipe on cookies
- Add melted chocolate to backside of Fudge Stripe Cookie on top portion and place 5 candy corn cookies in place. 12 Fudge Striped Cookies, 60 Candy Corn Cookies
- Add chocolate that covers tips of candy corn candies and bottom center with chocolate and glue Nutter Butter Cookie in place.
- Carefully add chocolate on Nutter Butter Cookie for Candy eyes 24 Candy Eyeballs
- Adding a small dab of melted chocolate to M&M Candy and place between eyes for Turkey beak 12 Chocolate Candies
- Allow chocolate to cool and harden. It will hold everything into place
Standing Turkey Cookies
- Follow above directions to make flat turkey cookies and allow to harden
- Place Fudge Stripe cookie on cutting board or cookie sheet. Add chocolate around center hole and place Nutter Butter Turkey on top. Prop cookie in place while chocolate hardens and sets
- Add chocolate to base of turkey and add mini chocolate chips as feet. 48 Mini M&M Candies
- Allow cookies to fully set before moving.
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