Imagine a dessert that's not just delicious, but also a total showstopper at your Thanksgiving table! These adorable Turkey Cupcakes are the perfect blend of sweet chocolate goodness and creative design that will have both kids and adults absolutely mesmerized. With just a few simple ingredients and some clever decorating tricks, you can transform ordinary chocolate cupcakes into the most Instagram-worthy dessert of the holiday season. Get ready to become the family's baking hero with this incredibly easy and fun recipe!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 can chocolate frosting
- Candy corn for decoration
- Mini pretzels for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well-blended.
- Carefully pour the cake batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.
- Once cooled, spread chocolate frosting evenly over the top of each cupcake using an offset spatula or butter knife.
- To create the turkey design, arrange candy corn in a fan-like pattern around the edge of the cupcake to represent tail feathers.
- Break mini pretzels in half and place two halves at the center of the cupcake to create the turkey's head and neck.
- Optional: Use additional frosting or small candies to add eyes or additional details to your turkey cupcakes.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes to help the decorations set before serving.
Tips
- Room Temperature Matters: Ensure your eggs and other ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother, more consistent cake batter.
- Don't Overfill: Fill cupcake liners only 2/3 full to prevent overflow and ensure even baking.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating to prevent frosting from melting.
- Candy Corn Placement: Use tweezers for precise placement of candy corn "feathers" for a neater design.
- Pretzel Trick: Break pretzels carefully to create clean "neck and head" pieces for your turkey.
- Make Ahead: These cupcakes can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated, making holiday prep easier.
- Get Kids Involved: Let children help with decorating for a fun family baking activity.
- Frosting Hack: For smoother frosting, dip your spatula in hot water before spreading.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 55mg
