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Best Easy Turkey Peanut Butter Cookies for Thanksgiving

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These adorable turkey-shaped peanut butter cookies are simple to make with a clever fork trick for feather textures. Perfect for Thanksgiving, they combine a soft, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookie with candy corn feathers and candy eyes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (preferably Skippy or Jif)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
  • Candy corn for feathers (about 30-40 pieces per batch)
  • Candy eyes or mini chocolate chips for eyes
  • Orange candy melts or small piece of orange fruit leather for beak
  • Red candy melts or red fruit leather for wattle

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes with electric mixer, 4 minutes with wooden spoon).
  3. Add peanut butter, egg, and vanilla; mix until well combined.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture in two additions, mixing until just combined. Dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
  6. Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough (golf ball size) and roll into smooth balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart (9-10 per sheet).
  7. Dip fork tines in granulated sugar. Gently press fork into top of each dough ball in a fan shape starting from center outward to create turkey feather texture.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft.
  9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Once completely cool, decorate: arrange 5-6 candy corn pieces in fan pattern at top for tail feathers. Place two candy eyes or mini chocolate chips near center. Add orange piece for beak and red piece for wattle. Use toothpick for placement; dab with frosting or melted candy if needed.

Notes

For best results, use creamy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. If dough is sticky, chill for 15-20 minutes. Bake one sheet at a time for even results. Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent candy corn from melting. Store undecorated cookies in freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey cookies, peanut butter cookies, Thanksgiving cookies, easy cookies, kid-friendly, holiday baking

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/best-easy-turkey-peanut-butter-cookies-for-thanksgiving/