Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes: Easy Chocolate Feather Recipe
These adorable turkey cupcakes feature chocolate shard feathers, candy corn, and pretzel legs atop moist chocolate cupcakes. A fun, kid-friendly Thanksgiving dessert that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 42 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- Ingredients called for on the cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, and water)
- 12 oz (340g) high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or bars
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- 1 can (16 oz) chocolate or vanilla frosting
- 1 bag (about 7 oz) candy corn
- 1 bag (about 5 oz) candy eyes
- 1 small bag pretzel sticks
- 1 small piece of orange fruit leather or a few orange M&Ms
Instructions
- Make the chocolate feathers: Line a small rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each, until smooth and glossy. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread into a thin, even rectangle (about 1/8-inch thick). While still wet, gently score curved lines into the chocolate with a sharp knife or pizza cutter to create feather shapes. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until completely firm. …
- Bake the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin tin with paper liners. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fill liners two-thirds full. Bake 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Assemble the turkeys: Spread or pipe a generous layer of frosting onto each cooled cupcake. Insert 4-5 chocolate feather shards into the frosting at the back of the cupcake, fanning them out in a semi-circle. Add 3-4 pieces of candy corn in front of chocolate feathers with pointed tips facing outward. Place two candy eyes near the front. Insert one candy corn piece for the beak with pointed end forward. Add a small piece of orange fruit leather or an orange M&M below the beak for the wattle. Ins…
Notes
Chocolate feathers can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Add pretzel legs just before serving to keep them crunchy. For best results, assemble turkeys no more than 24 hours before serving. If chocolate doesn’t snap cleanly, it may be too thick or not chilled enough. Use high-quality chocolate for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Thanksgiving turkey cupcakes, chocolate feather cupcakes, turkey cupcakes, easy Thanksgiving dessert, kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipe, chocolate shard feathers, candy corn cupcakes