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Classic Turkey Hand Sugar Cookies for Kids

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A fun and easy Thanksgiving sugar cookie recipe where kids trace their own handprints to create adorable turkey cookies. Perfect for keeping little hands busy while you prepare the big meal, these cookies celebrate imperfection and family bonding.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (pure vanilla recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 3–4 tablespoons water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Orange and yellow gel food coloring
  • Brown candy melts or chocolate chips
  • Candy eyes
  • Orange sprinkles or small orange candies
  • Red candy-coated chocolates

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy — about 3 minutes on medium speed. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix.
  2. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Take one disc of dough out of the fridge and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften slightly.
  4. Roll the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
  5. Trace and cut the handprints: Have your child place their hand flat on the rolled-out dough. Using a butter knife, gently trace around their hand, cutting about ¼ inch away from their fingers. Lift the traced handprint carefully with a spatula and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart.
  6. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  7. Make the royal icing: While the cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 3 tablespoons of water in a medium bowl. Add the vanilla and beat on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until the icing is thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks. Add the remaining tablespoon of water if it’s too thick.
  8. Color the icing: Divide the icing into two bowls. Add orange gel food coloring to one bowl and yellow to the other. Stir until evenly colored. Transfer each color to separate piping bags or zip-top bags. Snip a tiny corner off each bag.
  9. Decorate the turkey feathers: Pipe alternating orange and yellow stripes on the fingers of the handprint cookies. Let the icing set for about 15 minutes until it’s slightly firm to the touch.
  10. Add the turkey body: Melt the brown candy melts according to package directions. Using a toothpick or small spatula, spread a small oval of melted chocolate in the center of the palm area. Press two candy eyes onto the chocolate, then add an orange sprinkle for the beak and a red candy for the wattle.
  11. Let everything set: Allow the decorated cookies to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes until the icing and chocolate are fully set.

Notes

Dough temperature is crucial — if it gets too warm, it becomes sticky and impossible to trace. Chill the traced handprints on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape. Let cookies cool completely before icing. For best results, make undecorated cookies ahead and decorate the day before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Do not refrigerate.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey cookies, handprint cookies, sugar cookies, Thanksgiving cookies, kids baking, easy sugar cookies, holiday cookies

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/classic-turkey-hand-sugar-cookies-for-kids-easy-fun-recipe/