Thanksgiving Oreo Turkeys Recipe

Thanksgiving Oreo turkeys are no-bake treats made from Double Stuf Oreos, candy corn feathers, candy eyes, a yellow M&M beak, and a little red candy wattle, all held on with frosting or melted chocolate. You can make 12 in about 20 minutes, with no oven at all.

The secret is the cookie. Double Stuf Oreos have enough crème to grip five candy corn feathers without the cookie cracking, which is the part that frustrates most people. After that, it is just dots of frosting and pressing candy in place, so kids can do nearly all of it.

What You Need for 12 Turkeys

• Cookies: 12 Oreos, Double Stuf recommended
• Feathers: about 60 candy corn pieces, 5 per turkey
• Eyes: 24 candy eyeballs
• Beaks: 12 yellow candy-coated chocolates, such as M&Ms
• Wattles: small pieces of red chewy candy, or red icing
• Glue: chocolate or white frosting, or melted chocolate
• Time: about 20 minutes, plus 10 to 15 minutes to set

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Frosting or Melted Chocolate?

Both work to hold the eyes, beak, and wattle in place. Which one you pick depends on when you serve the turkeys.

• Frosting: fast and easy for small hands. Best when you will serve the turkeys the same day. A can of store-bought or a bowl of homemade chocolate frosting both work.
• Melted chocolate: sets harder and holds candy more securely. Use it if you are making them more than a few hours ahead, packing them up, or serving in a warm room.

I think of frosting as fun and fast and chocolate as clean and sturdy. Since switching to chocolate for make-ahead batches, I have had far fewer toppled turkeys.

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How to Make Oreo Turkeys

Cover your work surface with parchment paper or a clean tray. It keeps the mess contained and gives the cookies a little grip while you press on the candy.

For the feathers, push 5 pieces of candy corn into the crème along the top edge of each Oreo, white tips first, fanning them out like a tail. Wiggle each piece gently into the filling rather than forcing it. If you push straight down, the top cookie lifts or cracks.

Dab a little frosting or melted chocolate on the back of two candy eyes and press them onto the front of the cookie, holding them for a second. Attach a yellow M&M under the eyes as the beak, then add a tiny piece of red chewy candy or a dot of red icing next to or just under it for the wattle.

Let the turkeys sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the frosting or chocolate firms up. To keep them standing upright while they set, lean them gently against a small ramekin or measuring cup.

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Feathers Falling Out? Quick Fixes

• Cookie cracks: regular Oreos have too little crème. Use Double Stuf and insert the candy corn at a slight angle.
• Feathers keep slipping: add a tiny dot of melted chocolate where each candy corn meets the crème.
• Eyes slide down: too much frosting. Use a small dab and hold each piece for a few seconds.
• Turkeys tip over: lean them against a ramekin until set, or lay them flat on the platter.
• Soft and messy in a warm room: switch to melted chocolate, which stays firm.

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Making Them Ahead and Storing

For a day-ahead batch, assemble them with melted chocolate and let them set completely. Store them upright in a single layer in a shallow airtight container at room temperature. Do not stack them; even with parchment in between, the feathers snap easily.

They look best on a light platter or board. Against a white or wooden background, the candy corn and eyes stand out clearly, while a dark plate makes them disappear.

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Easy Ways to Change Them Up

• Chocolate dipped turkeys: dip each Oreo in melted chocolate first, let it set, then add the feathers and face for a smooth, glossy body.
• White frosting faces: use white frosting as glue on a light platter for a softer look, or tint it orange for a warmer color.
• Different feathers: mix candy corn with pretzel sticks or candy-coated chocolates in fall colors.
• Mini turkeys: Mini Oreos with 3 small candy pieces as feathers make bite-size turkeys for a party platter.
• Name cards: pipe a guest initial on the cookie with white icing and set one at each place setting.

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A Kids Table Activity

These turkeys work as well as a craft as they do as a dessert. Set out small bowls of candy corn, eyes, M&Ms, and red candy, give each child a few Oreos and a little frosting, and let them build their own. It keeps young cousins busy while the turkey roasts, and they are an easy school or classroom party treat because there is no baking.

For more edible crafts, try pilgrim hat cookies, chocolate covered strawberry turkeys, and turkey donuts. If you want a baked turkey, turkey cupcakes use the same candy corn feather idea on chocolate cupcakes.

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Building a Thanksgiving Dessert Table

Oreo turkeys are a playful centerpiece on a Thanksgiving charcuterie board. Put them next to pumpkin pie cookies for a baked treat, a slice of cranberry orange bread, and a cold bowl of creamy cranberry salad or cranberry fluff salad. If your crowd loves Oreos, chocolate covered Oreos are another easy no-bake option.

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Oreo Turkey Questions

What do you use to stick candy on Oreos?

Frosting for same-day turkeys, or melted chocolate for a firmer hold that lasts overnight.

Can I use regular Oreos instead of Double Stuf?

You can, but the thinner crème holds the candy corn less securely and the cookie cracks more easily. Double Stuf is worth it here.

How far ahead can I make Oreo turkeys?

Up to a day ahead if you use melted chocolate. Store them upright in one layer in an airtight container.

What can I use instead of candy corn?

Pretzel sticks, candy-coated chocolates, or chocolate candies pressed into the crème all make good feathers.

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Pin these Oreo turkeys to your Thanksgiving board so they are ready for the holiday. If you make them, tell me in the comments whether the feathers stayed in and how wonky the eyes turned out.