Description
These Easy Turkey Hand Sugar Cookies are a fun, foolproof Thanksgiving treat made by tracing your hand to create unique turkey-shaped cookies. Perfect for kids and family gatherings, they’re quick to make with simple ingredients and require no special cookie cutters.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (pure vanilla extract recommended)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 3 tablespoons milk (whole milk recommended)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, brown; gel colors recommended)
- Candy eyes (optional)
- Orange and red M&M’s or candy corn (for beak and wattle)
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with a hand mixer. Scrape down the sides, then add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined, about 1 minute. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disc, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
- Trace your hand: While the dough chills, trace your hand (or your child’s hand) onto a piece of parchment paper. Cut out the tracing to create a stencil. Ensure fingers are spread slightly apart.
- Roll and cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Place the parchment hand stencil on top and use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to carefully cut around it. Transfer the hand-shaped dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining dough. You should get about 8-10 hand cookies.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden brown. Centers should look set but not browned. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The consistency should be thick but flowy (like toothpaste). Divide the icing into small bowls and color each one: orange for the palm, and red, yellow, and brown for the fingers.
- Decorate the turkeys: Using a piping bag or small zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off, pipe orange icing onto the palm area of each cookie. Use a toothpick to spread evenly if needed. Pipe different colors onto each finger for feathers. Let icing set for about 10 minutes. Place two candy eyes on the palm (near the top), and add an orange M&M or candy corn for the beak. Add a small red M&M or dot of red icing for the wattle. Let cookies sit for at least 1 hour to allow icing to fully harde…
Notes
For best results, ensure butter is truly softened but not melty. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading. Roll dough to exactly ¼-inch thickness for ideal shape and texture. Bake one sheet at a time on the middle rack. Let cookies cool completely before decorating. For kids, use small food-safe paintbrushes instead of piping bags for less mess. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; do not refrigerate. Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 26
- Sodium: 95
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Protein: 3
Keywords: turkey cookies, hand sugar cookies, Thanksgiving cookies, kids baking, easy sugar cookies, hand turkey, holiday cookies