Copycat Pillsbury Turkey Cookies Recipe

3

Pillsbury Turkey Cookies are the perfect canvas for creativity. And while they’re delightful straight out of the package, adding a few personal touches with frosting, sprinkles, or candies can elevate them into unique Thanksgiving masterpieces!

How to make Pillsbury Turkey Cookies

Pillsbury Turkey Cookies are ready-to-bake seasonal sugar cookies shaped like cute, colorful turkeys, typically sold around Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring gel or liquid (optional)

For Decorating:

• Royal icing or colored frosting (use fall-themed colors like orange, red, yellow, and brown).
• Candy toppings (such as candy eyes, Reese’s Pieces, or candy corns for feathers).
• Sprinkles (choose fall colors for a festive look).
• Turkey-shaped cookie cutters (or freehand the design using a knife).

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Dough

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Add egg and vanilla: Beat in 1 egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
4. Slowly add dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
5. Chill the dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling will make the dough easier to roll and help the cookies retain their shape while baking.

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Roll out the cookie dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4” thickness.
3. Cut out turkey shapes: Use turkey-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your cookies. If you don’t have turkey cookie cutters, you can use a sharp knife to freehand simple turkey shapes. Alternatively, use round cutters to create a body and layer candy decorations for the turkey feathers.

Step 3: Bake and Cool the Cookies

1. Arrange on a baking sheet: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
2. Bake the cookies: Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on your oven and cookie size. Remove them when the edges are lightly golden, but do not overbake — you want them to stay soft!
3. Cool completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Step 4: Decorate Your Turkey Cookies

Now comes the fun part — decorating your turkey cookies!

1. Prepare frosting or icing: If using store-bought frosting, divide it into small bowls and add food coloring to create fall-themed shades like red, orange, yellow, and brown.
2. Add turkey details: Use frosting or royal icing to design the turkey. Consider using brown frosting for the body, orange for the beak, and multicolor for the feathers.
3. Add candy decorations: Press candy eyes onto the face and arrange candies (like Reese’s Pieces or candy corn) to mimic colorful turkey feathers.
4. Sprinkle and sparkle: Add sprinkles or edible glitter to make your cookies extra festive.

Tips for Perfect Pillsbury Turkey Cookies

• Chill the dough: Refrigerate the dough before rolling it out and after you’ve cut the shapes. Chilling helps prevent spreading while baking and keeps the edges sharper.
• Use royal icing for details: Royal icing is great for fine detailing such as outlining the turkey design or adding intricate feather textures.
• Keep it simple for kids: Let kids decorate their own turkey cookies by setting up a decorating station with frosting and candy. They’ll love creating their own unique turkeys!
• Plan ahead: Make the cookie dough 1-2 days in advance, so you have more time for decorating closer to Thanksgiving.

What to serve with

Pillsbury Turkey Cookies are a delightful and festive treat that is perfect for Thanksgiving and fall celebrations. These cookies are sweet and buttery, making them a versatile option to pair with other dishes and drinks.

• Hot Chocolate: A warm, creamy cup of hot chocolate complements the buttery sweetness of the cookies. For a festive twist, top the hot chocolate with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoa, and a cinnamon stick.
• Pumpkin Spice Latte: The classic fall favorite pairs beautifully with cookies and brings out the warm, comforting flavors of Thanksgiving.
• Apple Cider (Hot or Cold): Serve spiced apple cider to balance the sweetness of the cookies with fruity and tangy notes. If you’re hosting an adult-friendly party, add a splash of bourbon or rum for a boozy version.
• Milk: You can never go wrong with a classic glass of milk. It’s a timeless pairing for cookies and is especially great for kids.
• Fall-Themed Tea: Opt for teas like chai, cinnamon spice, or apple cinnamon for a more sophisticated pairing. These teas bring warm, aromatic flavors that work well with the cookies.

Ingredients Substitutes

If you’re making Pillsbury Turkey Cookies from scratch, you might need ingredient substitutes for various dietary preferences, flavor modifications, or simply because you’re missing some ingredients in your pantry.

1. All-Purpose Flour

• Gluten-Free Substitute: If you need a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend made specifically for baking. Look for one that includes xanthan gum for better texture.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option. Keep in mind that your cookies may turn out denser.
• Almond Flour (Low-Carb Option): Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour for a gluten-free, low-carb option.

2. Butter

• Unsalted Butter Substitute: Use salted butter without changing the flavor too much. If salted butter is used, omit the pinch of salt in the recipe.
• Dairy-Free Substitute: Swap butter with plant-based butter (available in stick form for baking), margarine, or coconut oil if you want cookies without dairy.
• Applesauce (Healthier Option): Replace 50% of the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat option.

3. Granulated Sugar

Sugar Alternatives:

• Brown Sugar (for a richer flavor): Replace white sugar with brown sugar for a softer cookie and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Coconut Sugar: Use coconut sugar for a healthier, low glycemic index sweetness.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Use honey or maple syrup for natural sweetness. Note that this will make the dough stickier, so you’ll need to reduce other liquid ingredients slightly or increase the flour.

4. Egg

Eggs are a crucial binding agent in cookies, helping hold the dough together. If you don’t have eggs or prefer a vegan option, here are substitutes:

• Flaxseed Egg (Vegan): Combine 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken and act as an egg replacement.
• Aquafaba (Vegan): Use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) as a substitute for 1 egg. Aquafaba acts as a neutral binder.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce for a moist, soft texture.
• Greek Yogurt: Use ¼ cup Greek yogurt (plain and unsweetened) instead of an egg for a creamy texture.

5. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla is essential for flavor enhancement, but if you don’t have it, there are alternatives:

• Almond Extract: Replace vanilla extract with almond extract for a nutty flavor twist.
• Maple Syrup: Use maple syrup as a natural flavor alternative.
• Coconut Extract or Citrus Zest: If you’re feeling adventurous, try coconut extract or a small amount of orange or lemon zest (about ¼ teaspoon) for a unique flavor twist.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps your cookies rise and spread properly. If you don’t have baking soda, you can use substitutes like:

• Baking Powder: Use baking powder as a substitute, but keep in mind it has a milder effect since it’s already mixed with acid.

Final Thoughts

Pillsbury Turkey Cookies are a hit on their own, but when served with thoughtful pairings, they can become part of an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience.

More Pillsbury Recipes:

• Homemade Pillsbury Pie Crust Recipe
• Homemade Pillsbury Pizza Dough Recipe