For a cute no bake treat for Thanksgiving, you’ll love these Nutter Butter turkey cookies! They’re made with a combination of cookies, chocolate, and candies, and designed to look like turkeys – perfect for the dessert table, place settings, or edible table decor.
What Are Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies?
Nutter Butter turkey cookies are a fun and festive dessert made by decorating Nutter Butter cookies to resemble turkeys, perfect for Thanksgiving or other holiday occasions!
To create these treats, I’m using Nutter Butter cookies for the body, candy corn for feathers (supported by fudge stripe cookies), candy for the eyes and beak, and a dab of frosting for the wattle.
There are lots of different variations and options as well for customization and personal preferences, so I’ll give you all the info on that below!
Melted chocolate acts as the adhesive for the components, which you only need a microwave for, making these no bake treats easy – even the kids can help with the assembly! However, the adults love these cookies just as much, so they’re a perfect touch for the Thanksgiving table.
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Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies Ingredients
- 12 Nutter Butter cookies (or generic brand equivalent)
- 12 Fudge Stripe cookies (or generic brand equivalent)
- 7 candy corn per turkey (84 for a dozen)
- 24 candy eyeballs
- 12 harvest candy corn (cut off the orange tips only)
- Red cookie icing
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- If you have a peanut allergy, you can swap in Vienna fingers or wafer cookies for the Nutter Butters (they’re not quite the same, but it’s a relatively close equivalent)
- Instead of Fudge Stripes, you can also use Samoas, Oreos, or chocolate wafer cookies. You can also skip them entirely and just insert the candy corn between the Nutter Butter’s layers, but I find this less reliable that they stay on
- The candy corn makes the feathers. You can use regular or harvest (or a combination of both). I buy the autumn mix and use the regular for the tails and the harvest corn for the beaks
- For the beak, I use the orange tips from the ends of the harvest candy corn. You can also use the corner of an orange Starburst or an orange M&M cut in half
- The wattle is added with some red cookie icing. You can substitute a red M&M here, or a similar small red candy
- Technically you can use any chocolate to melt for the “glue” but I think milk matches the Fudge Stripe cookies best, so it hides the seams a bit more, but you can use whatever you have on hand
How to Make Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
- Add your milk chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and then add additional time in 30-second increments as needed, stirring each time, until chocolate is smooth and melted
- Use a toothpick or similar to add melted chocolate to the back of two candy eyes, pressing them onto the Nutter Butter. Then, repeat for the harvest candy corn tip to add the beak at the bottom center of the eyes. Repeat for all cookies
- Add a ring of melted chocolate around the hole in the center of the back of a Fudge Stripe cookie (use your finger or a spoon) and then set the Nutter Butter cookie onto it, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat again for all cookies
- Now, add a hefty dollop of melted chocolate to one side of the tip of a candy corn (I use a toothpick) and then press it onto the Fudge Stripe on the part exposed over the top of the Nutter Butter. If it falls down, you didn’t apply enough chocolate, or didn’t press the tip firmly enough to the cookie to make it adhere. Tip: I start with the top center on and then add the sides so I make sure they’re somewhat evenly spaced
- Finish each cookie with a small dab of red icing that runs from about the center of the “beak” to just below it to form the wattle
- Allow all the chocolate to harden fully (about 20-30 minutes, or you can speed this up by setting them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes usually)
- Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week!
- Nutter Butter Snowmen
- Nutter Butter Acorn Cookies
What to Serve With Nutter Butter Turkeys
Nutter Butter turkey cookies pair well with a variety of sweet and savory treats, making them a festive addition to Thanksgiving dessert tables and holiday snack spreads alike! Here are some some of my favorite pairings:
Pumpkin or Apple Pie Bars
These bars add traditional fall flavors to the mix, balancing the peanut butter taste of Nutter Butters with spiced pumpkin or sweet apple.
Caramel Corn or Popcorn Mixes
Sweet and salty popcorn treats add a crunchy contrast and can be served in fun, individual bags or bowls, making them easy for guests to grab alongside their turkey cookies
Fruit and Cheese Platter
Serve Nutter Butter turkey cookies with a light fruit and cheese platter to balance out the sweetness.
Apples, pears, and cheddar or brie cheese are excellent choices that complement both the peanut butter and sweetness of the cookies!
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes or Cheesecake Bites
These add a rich, creamy option to the spread, and the pumpkin spice flavors pair well with the nutty, sweet cookies.
Hot Chocolate or Apple Cider
Warm drinks like hot chocolate and spiced apple cider enhance the holiday atmosphere and pair beautifully with the sweetness of the cookies.
For boozy options for the adults, check out my Salted Caramel Whiskey Hot Chocolate and Caramel Apple Hot Cider for some perfect options!
Recipe FAQs
Can Kids Help Make Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies?
Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for kids since they don’t require any baking, only assembly (though, an adult should handle melting the chocolate).
Kids enjoy “gluing” the candy decorations onto the cookies with the melted chocolate.
Can I Use Any Alternatives To Candy Corn?
Yes, if candy corn is unavailable or not preferred, you can substitute other candies for feathers.
Candy-coated sunflower seeds or pieces of chocolate-coated pretzel twists are the best alternative options. For the beak, use orange Starburst or M&M candies.
What Are Some Tips For Assembling Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies?
Working with melted candy as “glue” is easiest if done one step at a time. Allow each cookie to lay flat until set to prevent decorations from sliding.
If the cookies or the candy corn slides off after applying, it means either not enough chocolate was used, or you didn’t press the pieces together enough to let them bind. Just add a little more chocolate and try again!
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
- If your chocolate starts to harden, you can rewarm it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. However, I had no issues with it getting too hard while making a dozen cookies
- The most important tip for this recipe is just to make sure that you use enough chocolate, and press the pieces together. If your candy corn falls down, just add more chocolate to the tip, and make sure to press the tip to the cookie well. I didn’t have to “prop up” my cookies or my candy corn to prevent them from sagging and falling while cooling
Nutter Butter Turkey Storage Tips
- Place the cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, where they can stay fresh for up to a week
- To prevent the candy corn from sliding or decorations from detaching, make sure to let the cookies set completely before storing
- For best results, use a container that allows the cookies to lay flat and add a sheet of wax paper between layers if you need to stack them
- Thanksgiving Chocolate Covered Oreos
Final Thoughts
These cute Nutter Butter turkey cookies are the perfect no bake Thanksgiving treat that’s loved by kids and adults alike!
Nutter Butter cookies are decorated with candies, cookies, icing, and melted chocolate for the “glue” to make these adorable and festive treats. The kids can even help assemble them!
Whether they’re part of your dessert table, a fun place setting, or even used as edible table decor, these turkey cookies are sure to be a new favorite Thanksgiving tradition!
Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies (Thanksgiving)
Equipment
- Toothpick (and/or spoon)
Ingredients
- 12 Nutter Butter cookies (or generic equivalent)
- 12 Fudge Stripe cookies (or equivalent)
- 84 Candy corn candies (7 per turkey)
- 24 Candy eyeballs (or two per turkey)
- 12 Harvest candy corn (cut off the orange tips only)
- Red cookie icing
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add your milk chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and then add additional time in 30-second increments as needed, stirring each time, until chocolate is smooth and melted. Mine took 1 minute total in a 1000W microwave1 cup milk chocolate chips
- Use a toothpick or similar to add melted chocolate to the back of two candy eyes, pressing them onto the Nutter Butter. Then, repeat for the harvest candy corn tip to add the beak at the bottom center of the eyes. Repeat for all cookies24 Candy eyeballs, 12 Harvest candy corn, 12 Nutter Butter cookies
- Add a ring of melted chocolate around the hole in the center of the back of a Fudge Stripe cookie (use your finger or a spoon) and then set the Nutter Butter cookie onto it, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat again for all cookies12 Fudge Stripe cookies
- Now, add a hefty dollop of melted chocolate to one side of the tip of a candy corn (I use a toothpick) and then press it onto the Fudge Stripe on the part exposed over the top of the Nutter Butter. If it falls down, you didn’t apply enough chocolate, or didn’t press the tip firmly enough to the cookie to make it adhere. Tip: I start with the top center on and then add the sides so I make sure they’re somewhat evenly spaced84 Candy corn candies
- Finish each cookie with a small dab of red icing that runs from about the center of the “beak” to just below it to form the wattleRed cookie icing
- Allow all the chocolate to harden fully (about 20-30 minutes, or you can speed this up by setting them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes usually)
- Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week!
Notes
- If you have a peanut allergy, you can swap in Vienna fingers or wafer cookies for the Nutter Butters (they’re not quite the same, but it’s a relatively close equivalent)
- Instead of Fudge Stripes, you can also use Samoas, Oreos, or chocolate wafer cookies. You can also skip them entirely and just insert the candy corn between the Nutter Butter’s layers, but I find this less reliable that they stay on
- The candy corn makes the feathers. You can use regular or harvest (or a combination of both). I buy the autumn mix and use the regular for the tails and the tips of the harvest corn for the beaks. If you hate candy corn, try chocolate covered pretzels or candy covered sunflower seeds instead
- For the beak, I use the orange tips from the ends of the harvest candy corn. You can also use the corner of an orange Starburst or an orange M&M cut in half
- The wattle is added with some red cookie icing. You can substitute a red M&M here, or a similar small red candy
- Technically you can use any chocolate to melt for the “glue” but I think milk matches the Fudge Stripe cookies best, so it hides the seams a bit more, but you can use whatever you have on hand
- The most important tip for this recipe is just to make sure that you use enough chocolate, and press the pieces together. If your candy corn falls down, just add more chocolate to the tip, and make sure to press the tip to the cookie well. I didn’t have to “prop up” my cookies or my candy corn to prevent them from sagging and falling while cooling and setting
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any swaps or decorations added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only. Additionally, this assumes the use of 100% of the melted chocolate, which isn’t likely in reality
Nutrition
