Turkey Cupcake Jars: Make Your Dessert Table Gobble with Joy
If you’ve ever wanted your Thanksgiving dessert table to gobble back at you, these Turkey Cupcake Jars are here to make it happen. They start with rich, chocolatey cupcakes, but the real fun is in decorating them to look like plump little turkeys ready for a fall feast. With graham cracker “tail feathers” fanned out behind them, they’re festive, adorable, and just a little too cute to eat (but trust me, you’ll manage). These sweet turkeys won’t require hours of roasting—just a bit of creativity and some frosting magic. Perfect for kids, adults, and anyone who thinks pie shouldn’t get all the attention this season!
Why you’ll want to make these turkey cupcake jars:
- Festive & Fun – They bring instant Thanksgiving cheer to your dessert table.
- Chocolate Lovers’ Dream – Rich, moist cupcakes are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Creative Decorating – A playful way to get crafty in the kitchen with frosting and graham cracker “feathers.”
- Kid-Friendly Activity – Perfect project for little helpers to join in on holiday baking.
- Conversation Starter – These cute turkeys are guaranteed to make guests smile (and snap a few photos before digging in).
These turkey jars would be a huge hit at:
- Thanksgiving Dinner – The ultimate festive dessert to end the big meal.
- Friendsgiving Gatherings – A playful treat that doubles as table décor.
- School Fall Parties – Kid-approved and fun to share with classmates.
- Family Baking Nights – A cozy activity to enjoy together on a chilly evening.
- Office Potlucks – A whimsical way to stand out among the pumpkin pies.
- Holiday Bake Sales or Events – Eye-catching treats that sell themselves.
Turkey Cupcake Jars Recipe
Yields: 6 Cupcake Jars
Prep time: 50 minutes / Idle time: 0 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 Chocolate or Brown Cupcakes
- Graham Crackers
- 2 Ounces Orange Melting Chocolate
- 7 Ounces Buttercream
- 2 Teaspoons Cocoa Powder
- Brown Food gel color
- Large Eye Sprinkles
- Candy Corn
Instructions
Start by breaking the graham crackers into 4 smaller pieces.
Place the circle cutter over the smaller graham cracker rectangle and press it down over the edges to round them out.
Make enough rounded tips for each jar to have 3 graham cracker pieces.
Melt the orange chocolate melts in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl 30 seconds at a time until the chocolate is liquid.
Dip the rounded tip of the graham crackers into the chocolate, scrape off excess and then put them on a sheet of parchment paper. Place it to the side to dry.
Next put the cocoa powder into the buttercream and use a spatula to mix it in completely. This will help assist in getting the buttercream a deep brown color and add a nice flavor.
Now add 3-4 drop of brown food gel color to the buttercream and mix until the buttercream is a darker shade of brown. Do not add of a lot of food gel color because the brown will get darker once its piped.
Put the buttercream in a piping bag, tie the ends and cut a medium size hole on the tip.
Assembling the Turkey Cupcake Jars
Put 1 cupcake in each clean jar.
Next pipe the buttercream into the jar over the cupcakes. Use a spatula or knife to smooth out the buttercream.
Place 3 orange tip graham crackers in the jar. Fan them out to look like feathers.
Reheat the leftover orange chocolate. Dip the back of the large eye sprinkles in the chocolate and place the eyes one at a time on the outer rim of the jar. Hold them in place to make sure they stick.
Dip the the candy corn in the orange chocolate and place it below the eyes to represent the beak.
Once the chocolate is dry, Serve and Enjoy!
Note:
- These Jars are best eaten fresh but they can be stored in a cool dry place for 2 days or the fridge for 4 days with an air tight lid on top. You will have to remove the graham crackers and items from the outside of the jar.
- You can use any flavor cupcakes you want but it will look the best if they are brown.
FAQ
Do I have to make the cupcakes from scratch?
Not at all! You can use a box mix, store-bought cupcakes, or your favorite homemade recipe—whatever makes your holiday easier.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead of homemade?
Absolutely! Store-bought frosting works great, especially if you’re short on time. You can always jazz it up with food coloring or extra flavoring if you’d like.
How far in advance can I make these cupcakes?
You can bake the cupcakes a day or two ahead and store them in an airtight container. For best results, decorate them the day you plan to serve so the graham cracker “feathers” stay crisp.
Can kids help with the decorating?
Yes! Decorating these cupcakes is super kid-friendly—just be prepared for a little extra frosting on fingers (and maybe some taste-testing along the way).
Tips & Tricks
- Prep Ahead – Bake cupcakes the night before to save time on decorating day.
- Chill the Frosting – If your frosting feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to make decorating easier.
- Crisp Feathers – Add the graham cracker “tail feathers” right before serving so they stay crunchy.
- Get Creative – Swap graham crackers for cookies, stick candies (like licorice,) or pretzel sticks if you want different feather looks.
- Assembly Line Style – Set up bowls of decorations and let everyone build their own turkey—it’s part dessert, part activity!
As the leaves crunch underfoot and the holiday table fills with family favorites, these Turkey Cupcakes are the perfect way to add a little sweetness and a lot of smiles to your celebration. Whether you bake them from scratch or take a few shortcuts with store-bought goodies, the fun is all in the decorating (and, of course, the eating). They’re festive, kid-approved, and guaranteed to be remembered long after the last crumb disappears. So go ahead—let your dessert table gobble with charm this season!
