Happy Turkey Day!
I wanted to make turkey cutout cookies that would be cute and a little bit goofy this year. When I found a post for Super Simple Turkey Cookies on the The Barefoot Baker’s website, I knew it would be perfect. Lisa (the Barefoot Baker) gives detailed instructions and lots of tips on how to decorate these critters, which made it fun and easy. All the kids (young and not-so-young) smiled at these funny-looking birds.
“I love Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect holiday...lots of good food, lots of table talk, lots of family time.” Kasha
Lisa used an 8-petal flower cutter for her turkeys, but all I had were a six-petal and a seven-petal cutter so I went with the seven-petal flower and piped both turkey legs on one of the petals instead of having one petal for each leg. I also used chocolate royal icing for the turkey body, which added a delicious flavor that my chocolate-lover always appreciates. These little turkeys turned out so quirky that it was fun to see the reactions they got. Happy Thanksgiving!
Cookie specifics
These crazy-looking turkeys were inspired by a post for Super Simple Turkey Cookies on the The Barefoot Baker’s website. I followed Lisa’s (the Barefoot Baker) excellent instructions for the decorating part but used my Classic Sugar Cookie recipe as the canvas. It has a bold vanilla flavor and slightly soft texture that makes it perfect for any holiday cutout cookie. In fact, it’s my variation of a family favorite...one my mom used for her Christmas cookies when I was young.
Shapes
7-petal flower cookie cutter, squished slightly to make it oval instead of round. After the squishing it looked a lot like a puffy cloud!
Sizes
The flower cookie cutter I used is 2½ inches, squished to 2x3 inches. 2½ inch cookies are my favorite size for decorating and eating!
Cookie Design from This Talented Cookie Artist
Super Simple Turkey Cookies. Design for these critters came from The Barefoot Baker. Check out her site for her excellent instructions. I also used Lisa’s instructions for making the eyeballs...so easy!
My Own Cookie Recipe
Classic Sugar Cookie. A recipe based on one from Mrs. Gregor, a neighbor of my mom’s when she was a newlywed.
Icing & Frostings
Chocolate Royal Icing (for the turkey body): Using cocoa powder to make royal icing ensures that you have the perfect shade of brown without using a lot of brown gel coloring. This color was an essential requirement for my “vision” of these turkey cookies. An added bonus is the yummy chocolate flavor, which provides a delicious note to satisfy my chocolate lover.
Royal Icing: I always use royal icing made with meringue powder instead of egg whites. After everything is completely dry, I brushed on a mixture of vodka and corn syrup to give a shiny finish.
Cookies
Classic Sugar Cookies: flour, butter, granulated sugar, egg, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Royal Icing: confectioners’ sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
Chocolate Royal Icing (for the turkey body): confectioners’ sugar, Hersey’s Special Dark Cocoa, meringue powder, corn syrup, almond extract, food coloring
Plate, Box or Bag?
Bags. No surprise here...I wrapped each turkey individually in a clear, food-safe bag, secured with a twist tie. This makes the cookies stackable without causing damage to the decorations. It also worked well for crowding them into a box to mail to my cookie fans.
Mailing. I mailed the cookies to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I always send them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I used sturdy boxes and lots of bubble wrap. Thankfully, the cookies arrived on time for the feast and undamaged. I know they were appreciated because of the texts I received with all those smiling faces. Even the turkey cookies were smiling!
What I’ve learned...
Whenever I use another baker’s design or recipe, my cookies always turn out, well, mine. They always reflect my own abilities at decorating and my own flavor preferences. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Making something your own. These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find...and nor shortcuts. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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