A Playful Thanksgiving Dessert as a Table Centerpiece
Chocolate covered strawberry turkeys bring more than charm to your Thanksgiving table. They offer a quick, hands-on dessert project that children and adults can enjoy equally. These little treats taste like chocolate dipped strawberries, but they dress for the holiday, complete with candy eyes, candy corn feathers, and orange candy beaks.
In this guide, you will learn how to make chocolate covered strawberry turkeys from scratch. I will walk you through the steps, explain how to set them upright for serving, and share a few personal notes from trial and error. You will also find one practical comparison between two methods that affect presentation. And as always, I include tips for serving and storing that come from experience, not guesswork.
What You Need to Know Before You Begin
Strawberries dipped in chocolate do not need explanation. But strawberries turned into turkeys? That gets people talking. I use ripe strawberries with intact green tops. These mimic tail feathers and help grip during dipping. Once covered in melted chocolate, they become a base for candy decorations. The result resembles mini chocolate turkeys ready to march across your holiday table.
This method requires no baking. It falls somewhere between snack and craft, making it ideal for a busy morning before guests arrive. I often prep the pieces the night before Thanksgiving, then assemble while the pies are in the oven. They hold well in the fridge, and honestly, I prefer them chilled.
You may want to pair them with other creative Thanksgiving ideas. I like serving these alongside Turkey Cupcakesbecause the visual effect of having both types is playful and coordinated.
For broader planning, I keep a running list of Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas that includes everything from pies to no-bake creations.
Choosing the Right Chocolate and Method for Dipping
Melted chocolate chips combined with a spoonful of coconut oil create a smooth, glossy coating. I prefer semi-sweet chips for the depth of flavor, but milk chocolate works if you prefer a sweeter result. Microwave in intervals to avoid seizing.
In my notes, I have compared setting the strawberries directly on parchment paper with setting them into chocolate disk bases. Both methods work, but the chocolate disks provide better stability if you plan to stand the turkeys upright. For display purposes, especially if you are placing them on a dessert table, the disk base wins. But for a quicker method, parchment alone will do.
If you enjoy themed treats, another festive pairing idea would be Thanksgiving Oreo Turkeys. Those offer a crunchy contrast to the fruit-based turkeys.
How to Prepare the Strawberries Before Dipping
Start with firm, ripe strawberries. Wash and dry them thoroughly. Any moisture left on the surface will prevent the chocolate from sticking. I leave the green stems on for two reasons. They serve as natural handles and look like feathers peeking out from the back.
Lay out your workspace ahead of time. I place a baking tray lined with parchment next to the bowl of melted chocolate. Keep your candy eyes, orange candies, and red gel or melts close by so everything is within reach. This helps maintain the chocolate’s texture while decorating.
Step by Step Assembly and Decoration Tips
Dip the strawberries by holding the green top and swirling them in chocolate. Let the excess drip off, then place flat side down on your surface or chocolate base. While the coating is still soft, press two candy eyes near the top, then an orange candy right below to form the beak.
Use red gel or a warm red candy melt to draw a wattle next to the beak. You do not need precision. A small squiggle gives the idea. Let the turkeys set in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes until firm.
To serve, you can place each finished strawberry into a mini cupcake liner. This keeps them upright and prevents chocolate smudges. They also make the treats easier to hand out, especially if you have little helpers at the table.
Serving, Storing, and Troubleshooting Notes
Keep the finished turkeys chilled until about 10 minutes before serving. They hold shape well in the fridge and benefit from the cooler temperature. Avoid direct sunlight or a warm kitchen counter, as the chocolate may soften or smudge.
If a candy piece slips while setting, do not panic. Gently remove it and reattach with a dot of melted chocolate. I have done this more times than I can count. Small imperfections rarely matter once they are on the table.
These chocolate covered strawberry turkeys work best when made within 24 hours of serving. The strawberries stay fresh and juicy, and the chocolate holds its shine. If you need to prep further in advance, assemble the chocolate bases and prep the decorations the night before, then dip and decorate fresh in the morning.
Save This and Share Your Own
Chocolate covered strawberry turkeys bring joy to the table, and I hope they add something special to yours. Pin this idea so you can come back to it each Thanksgiving.
If you make them, I would love to hear how they turned out. Drop a comment below. Did the kids help? Did you try milk or dark chocolate? Let us keep the creativity going.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Chocolate covered strawberry turkeys are one of the cutest Thanksgiving desserts you can make with just a few simple ingredients. I dip strawberries in melted chocolate, add pretzels and candy corn for feathers, and finish with details to shape them into little chocolate turkeys. Some call them chocolate dipped turkey strawberries, others Thanksgiving chocolate strawberries turkey, but either way they’re festive and fun. I’ve tried chocolate-covered strawberries shaped like turkeys for Thanksgiving snacks, and they always stand out as a playful treat. If you’ve ever wondered how to make chocolate covered strawberry turkeys, the process is quick, creative, and guaranteed to bring smiles at the holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh strawberries (choose firm, ripe ones with green tops intact)
- 1½ cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or shortening
- Candy eyes
- Orange candy-coated sunflower seeds or mini M&M’s
- Red decorating gel or red candy melts
- Optional: mini cupcake liners or chocolate disks for a base
Instructions
- PREP THE STRAWBERRIES: Rinse the strawberries under cool water, then pat them completely dry with a clean towel. Make sure no moisture remains, as wet strawberries will prevent the chocolate from sticking properly. Leave the green stems intact to act as turkey feathers.
- MELT THE CHOCOLATE: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
- DIP THE STRAWBERRIES: Hold a strawberry by its green top and dip it into the melted chocolate, coating it nearly up to the stem. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off, then place the dipped strawberry on a sheet of parchment paper or onto a chocolate disk base if using.
- ADD CANDY EYES: While the chocolate is still soft, press two candy eyes onto the upper front of the dipped strawberry, positioning them where the turkey’s face would be.
- ATTACH THE BEAK: Gently press an orange candy or mini M&M just below the eyes to form the beak. Hold it in place for a few seconds until it adheres.
- ADD THE WATTLE: Use red decorating gel or a melted red candy melt to add a wattle next to the beak. Pipe a small teardrop shape or a light squiggle for a finished look.
- LET THEM SET: Transfer the decorated strawberries to the refrigerator and chill for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is firm and fully set.
- OPTIONAL: SERVE IN MINI CUPCAKE LINERS: Once the strawberries are fully set, place each one in a mini cupcake liner to keep them upright and make serving easier and tidier.
Notes
Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking while the chocolate sets. Work in batches if needed to ensure the chocolate remains smooth and workable.
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 122Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 3mgSodium 184mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 1gSugar 10gProtein 2g
