Looking for a fun and easy dessert to make for the holidays? These Thanksgiving turkey brownies are the perfect festive treat!
Made with a boxed brownie mix, peanut butter cups, candy corn, and candy eyes, they come together quickly and look absolutely adorable on any dessert table.
Kids and adults will love this adorable Thanksgiving Dessert Idea, and they’re a great way to add a playful touch to your holiday celebration.
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Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 10 min | Cook/Bake: 25 min | Difficulty: Easy
What it is: Thanksgiving brownies are a festive dessert made with rich chocolate brownies topped with peanut butter cups, candy corn, and candy eyes to create adorable little turkeys.
Why you’ll love it: They’re quick to make with a boxed brownie mix, kid-friendly, and guaranteed to be a hit at your Thanksgiving dessert table.
How to make it: Bake the brownies, use a cookie cutter to shape them into circles, then decorate with peanut butter cups and candies to bring your “turkeys” to life.
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Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
- How to Decorate Brownies for Thanksgiving
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage & Serving Tips
- More Thanksgiving Desserts Kids will Love!
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Indulge in Flavor, Not Ads - Get Your Ad-Free Digital Cookbook Today!
- Recipe FAQ's
- 💬 Comments
Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
These are super cute and fun. I baked the brownies in a muffin tin so I didn’t have to cut out circles. Thanks for sharing with us.
~ Karen
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How to Decorate Brownies for Thanksgiving
Looking for creative ways to dress up brownies for Thanksgiving? Here are a few fun ideas to inspire you:
- Pumpkin patch brownies: Spread orange-colored frosting on top and add green icing vines or pumpkin candies for a cute pumpkin patch effect.
- Leaf brownies: Use fall-themed cookie cutters to cut brownies into leaf shapes, then drizzle with autumn-colored candy melts or icing.
- Thanksgiving messages: Pipe simple words like “Give Thanks” or “Gobble” on each square using frosting or melted chocolate for a festive touch.
- Harvest sprinkle topping: Keep it simple by dusting brownies with fall-colored sprinkles, crushed candy corn, or edible glitter for an instant upgrade.
- Add variety to your dessert tray: Pair brownies with Pilgrim Hat Thanksgiving Cookies.
Looking for more Turkey Desserts for Thanksgiving? Try my Nutter Butter Cookies or my Thanksgiving Oreo Truffles. You'll love both of these easy desserts for your family celebration.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
For a full list of kitchen tools used in this recipe, be sure to check the recipe card below. You can also browse my Favorite Kitchen Tools by clicking the photo below.
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My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
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Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. For exact amounts and to easily shop for everything, click the Instacart button in the recipe card below to add the ingredients straight to your cart!
Substitutions and Variations
Mix it up: Add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries to the brownie batter for extra flavor and texture.
Go homemade: Don’t want to use a boxed mix? Try my Homemade Brownie Recipe for a rich, from-scratch base.
Make brownie pops: Bake the brownies, cut them into squares, insert a lollipop stick, and then decorate for a fun, kid-friendly twist.
Step-by-Step Directions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare and bake the brownies according to the instructions on the back of the box.
Step 2: Once the brownies are baked, allow them the cool completely before decorating.
Step 3: Once the brownies have cooled, cut them into 3-inch circles. Have all the other ingredients laid out within easy reach to make decorating smooth and mess-free.
Step 4: Attach a peanut butter cup with a dab of icing for the turkey body, then add candy eyes and a red chocolate candy set on its side for the beak. Finish by pressing 4–5 candy corn pieces along the top for feathers.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO use a little dab of icing on the back of the peanut butter cup to help it stick to the top of the brownie circle.
❌ DO NOT decorate the brownies while they’re warm or the candy will melt and slide off.
Storage & Serving Tips
Room Temperature: Store undecorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight.
Refrigerate: Store decorated brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let them sit at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezer: Freeze undecorated brownie circles in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Serving Tips: Arrange on a festive platter or cake stand and serve at room temperature so the brownies stay soft and fudgy.
More Thanksgiving Desserts Kids will Love!
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📖 Recipe Card
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare your brownies according to the instructions on the box.
- Once baked, set aside to cool.
- Once the brownies have cooled, cut them into 3 inch circles.
- Add a little icing to the back of a peanut butter cup to add the turkey body.
- Add the candy eyes and a red chocolate candy for the beak/gobbler. Set the chocolate candy on its side so it looks more like a beak.
- Add 4-5 candy corn to make the turkey feathers.
Nutrition
Notes
Tips
- Use a round cookie cutter to cut cooled brownies into clean circles without crumbling.
- You should be able to get around 12–15 turkey brownies, depending on the size of the biscuit or cookie cutter you use.
- Have all the decorating ingredients laid out within easy reach to make assembly smooth.
- A small dab of icing on the back of the peanut butter cup helps it stick securely to the brownie.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Bake and cut the brownies up to 2 days ahead; decorate closer to serving so the candy stays fresh.
- Store decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze undecorated brownie circles for up to 2 months; thaw completely before decorating.
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
You can decorate the brownies up to 1 day in advance. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. If you’re making them earlier, bake and cut the brownies ahead of time, then decorate closer to serving so the candy stays fresh and doesn’t get sticky.
The easiest way to cut brownies into clean circles is to let them cool completely, then use a round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter. Wipe the cutter with a damp paper towel between cuts to keep the edges neat and prevent crumbling. You can also chill the brownies briefly before cutting for even cleaner shapes.
Yes, kids can definitely help decorate these brownies! Setting out the candy corn, peanut butter cups, candy eyes, and icing makes it easy for them to create their own little turkeys. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that works well for family baking days or Thanksgiving gatherings.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with clearer instructions, and helpful tips to make decorating even easier.
Joanne says
These are so cute!
Lois says
Thank you!
Karen says
These are super cute and fun. I baked the brownies in a muffin tin so I didn’t have to cut out circles. Thanks for sharing with us.
Lois says
That sounds like a cute idea too! Thank you for visiting!
Marilyn Lesniak says
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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LINDA BOUFFARD says
Totally love your turkey brownies. Right up my alley. Fun and delicious. Pinned. best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Lois says
Thanks Linda!
Christina says
Hi Lois,
These turkeys are adorable! I pinned this from the Mostly Blogging link party. It reminds me that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
Best,
Christina
Lois says
Thank you Christina! Your comment made my day!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life says
How cute are these? Such a fun sweet treat to make alongside those with little ones!
Lois says
I think little kids and big kids would love to make these on Thanksgiving Day! Thanks for visiting.
Edwina says
These brownies are adorable. I love all things turkey-shaped at Thanksgiving. My kids are going to love these. Thanks for the great idea.
Lois says
Thank you! I hope you have a lovely holiday!