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Easy Turkey Hand Cookies Recipe for Kids

Easy Turkey Hand Cookies Recipe for Kids - featured image
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These quick turkey hand sugar cookies for kids are simple, fun, and full of memories. Made from a buttery sugar cookie dough shaped like a handprint and decorated as a turkey, they are perfect for Thanksgiving prep, classroom parties, or a rainy November afternoon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • For decorating: 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, food coloring (orange, red, yellow, brown), candy corn, chocolate chips, sprinkles

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. If too sticky, add another tablespoon of flour; if too dry, add a teaspoon of milk.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  5. Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin. Roll the chilled dough out to about ¼-inch thickness.
  6. Have your child place their hand flat on the dough with fingers slightly spread. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to trace around their hand, cutting about ½ inch away from their fingers. Transfer cut-out handprints to prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just barely golden. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  8. While cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth (consistency of school glue). Divide into small bowls and add food coloring (orange for feathers, red for wattle, white for eyes).
  9. Once cookies are completely cool, decorate: spread orange icing on fingers for feathers, red icing for wattle, add candy corn for beak, chocolate chips for eyes, and any other decorations. Let icing set for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip chilling the dough—it prevents spreading. Bake one sheet at a time for even results. Let kids decorate freely for the best memories. Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-turkey-hand-cookies-recipe-for-kids/