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Easy Hand Turkey Sugar Cookies for Kids

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These adorable hand turkey sugar cookies are quick, easy, and perfect for Thanksgiving parties. Made with simple ingredients and decorated with candy, they’re a fun, kid-friendly treat that always steals the show.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (340g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 3–4 tablespoons warm water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, brown)
  • Candy corn (for feathers)
  • Chocolate chips or candy eyes (for eyes)
  • Red hots or small candies (for wattle)
  • Orange sprinkles or small orange candies (for beak)
  • Sprinkles in fall colors (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  4. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until just combined.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing on low until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  6. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes).
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness.
  8. Place a hand flat on the dough and trace around it with a sharp knife or pizza cutter, leaving ½ inch space around fingers.
  9. Transfer hand-shaped dough to prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
  10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just barely golden. Centers should look slightly underdone.
  11. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  12. For icing: Combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add 3 tablespoons warm water and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until stiff peaks form. Adjust consistency with water if needed.
  13. Divide icing into bowls and color: brown for body, orange for beak, red for wattle, yellow for feet.
  14. Pipe brown icing onto palm area of cooled cookies to create turkey body.
  15. While icing is wet, press candy corn into fingers for feathers (pointy end outward).
  16. Add candy eyes or chocolate chips above brown icing.
  17. Pipe orange triangle for beak and red dot or candy for wattle.
  18. Add orange sprinkles or candies for feet at bottom of palm.
  19. Let decorated cookies sit at room temperature for about 1 hour until icing hardens.

Notes

Chill dough thoroughly to prevent sticking and maintain hand shape. Roll to consistent ¼-inch thickness. For best results, bake cookies the day before and decorate the morning of the event. Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days; decorated cookies keep for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: hand turkey cookies, sugar cookies, Thanksgiving cookies, kids cookies, easy cookies, handprint cookies

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-hand-turkey-sugar-cookies-for-kids/