Print

Turkey Cupcakes Recipe

4.8 from 145 reviews

Delightfully festive Turkey Cupcakes perfect for holiday gatherings, combining rich chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting and decorated with fun candy details to resemble turkeys.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix, plus eggs and oil as indicated on package
  • brown cupcake liners

Chocolate Frosting

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 cups confectioner’s sugar

Decorations

  • 1 cup chocolate jimmies
  • 1 twizzler pull n’ peel
  • 18 rolo candies
  • 1 bag candy corn, 11 oz
  • 36 candy eyes

Instructions

  1. Prepare cupcakes: Preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box (usually 350°F). Line a standard size muffin tin with brown cupcake liners. Mix the cupcake batter as per the package instructions, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
  2. Make frosting: In a large bowl, combine softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, beat until smooth (~1 minute). Add cocoa powder and continue mixing until smooth. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, 2 cups at a time, beating on low speed until well incorporated and smooth.
  3. Fill piping bag: Attach your desired piping tip to a piping bag. Fill the bag with the chocolate frosting, twist the top securely to prevent frosting from spilling when piping.
  4. Pipe frosting on cupcakes: Pipe frosting onto each cooled cupcake in a circular motion to create a smooth, even layer.
  5. Prepare candy decorations: Unwrap the rolo candies and place a small dollop of frosting on each to help adhere the candy corn nose. Pull apart the twizzler pull n’ peel strands so two strips are stuck together and cut into ¼ inch pieces.
  6. Decorate cupcakes: Sprinkle chocolate jimmies evenly over the frosted cupcakes. Place two candy eyes in the center of each cupcake. Gently press the rolo candy just beneath the candy eyes in the frosting. Attach the twizzler pieces to the side of the rolo to form the wattle. Arrange 5-6 candy corn pieces on the top of the cupcake to resemble feather wings.
  7. Chill and serve: Transfer the decorated cupcakes to the refrigerator to chill and set the frosting. Serve within a few hours or up to 2 days for optimal freshness.

Notes

  • Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Prepare cupcakes in advance (the day before decorating) to save time and ensure perfect frosting application.
  • Store decorated cupcakes in the refrigerator to maintain frosting firmness and freshness.
  • Best served within 2 days for optimal taste and texture.

Keywords: Turkey Cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, Chocolate cupcakes, Festive cupcakes, Holiday desserts, Candy decorated cupcakes