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Cozy Mini Turkey Cupcakes: Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

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These adorable mini turkey cupcakes feature moist chocolate cake, silky chocolate buttercream, and chocolate-dipped candy corn feathers. A nostalgic Thanksgiving treat that comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour, 1 cup (120g)
  • Granulated sugar, 3/4 cup (150g)
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup (20g)
  • Baking powder, 1 teaspoon
  • Baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt, 1/4 teaspoon
  • Large egg, 1, room temperature
  • Whole milk, 1/2 cup (120ml)
  • Vegetable oil, 1/4 cup (60ml)
  • Sour cream, 1/4 cup (60g)
  • Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon
  • Hot water, 1/4 cup (60ml)
  • Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup (113g), softened
  • Powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cups (180g), sifted
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons (15g)
  • Heavy cream, 2 tablespoons (30ml)
  • Vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt, a tiny pinch
  • Candy corn, 24 pieces
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup (85g)
  • Coconut oil, 1 teaspoon
  • Mini chocolate chips, 12
  • Orange candy melts or orange frosting, small amount
  • Red candy melts or red frosting, small amount

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your mini muffin pan with 24 mini cupcake liners.
  2. Make the chocolate feather decorations first. Place the 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted. Let it cool for 2 minutes.
  3. Dip each piece of candy corn halfway into the melted chocolate. Hold the candy corn by the white tip and dip the yellow and orange end into the chocolate. Let the excess drip off, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
  6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Add the 1/4 cup hot water and stir gently until the batter is smooth.
  7. Fill each mini cupcake liner about 2/3 full.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While the cupcakes cool, make the chocolate buttercream. In a large bowl, beat the 1/2 cup softened butter with a hand mixer on medium speed until creamy and pale, about 2 minutes.
  10. Add the sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder in three additions, mixing on low speed after each addition. Add the 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and a tiny pinch of salt. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  11. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
  12. Take the chocolate-dipped candy corn out of the fridge. Gently press 3-4 pieces into the back of each frosted cupcake, with the chocolate-dipped ends facing outward to look like tail feathers.
  13. Add the turkey face. Press two mini chocolate chips into the front of the frosting for eyes. Use a toothpick to dab a tiny dot of orange candy melt or frosting for the beak. Add a tiny dot of red candy melt or frosting below the beak for the wattle.
  14. Let the assembled turkey cupcakes sit for 10 minutes to let everything set. Then serve, or store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

If the chocolate-dipped candy corn doesn’t stick to the frosting, dip the base of each candy corn into a tiny bit of melted chocolate before pressing it into the frosting. For best results, use room temperature ingredients. The hot water is not optional—it blooms the cocoa powder for deeper flavor. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini turkey cupcakes, Thanksgiving dessert, chocolate cupcakes, candy corn, chocolate buttercream, turkey cupcakes, easy Thanksgiving dessert

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/cozy-mini-turkey-cupcakes-easy-thanksgiving-dessert/