This turkey cake will put a smile on everyone’s faces this holiday season, especially since most of us are used to eating pie on Thanksgiving. Having a colorful, turkey-themed cake on the table is a fun alternative. It’s also fun to decorate this cake however you see fit, using the cookies and candy you’d like. (Decorating is definitely something kids will want to help with) Keep reading for how to to make the perfect Thanksgiving dessert for this year’s festivities.
Ingredients for Turkey Cake
- Dark chocolate cake mix:Â Keep it simple by using cake mix.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix:Â This gives the cake a moist texture.
- Eggs: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature before using.
- Sour cream:Â Sour cream strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and tanginess.
- Canola oil: Canola oil contributes moistness and its neutral taste does not interfere with the cake’s flavor.
- Water:Â Water helps the ingredients to blend more evenly.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar has a super-smooth texture.
- Baking cocoa:Â This provides a concentrated chocolate flavor.
- Butter:Â Butter should be softened but not melted.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a nice note of vanilla and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Milk:Â Whole milk is best since it will result in the creamiest texture.
- Red, yellow and orange candy coating disks and black nonpareils:Â You’ll use these to decorate the turkey.
Directions
Step 1: Make batter and transfer to pans
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottoms of three greased 8-inch round baking pans with parchment; grease the paper. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients and beat them on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for two minutes. Transfer batter to prepared pans.
Step 2: Bake and cool
Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (about 35 to 40 minutes). Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove the paper. Cool completely.
Step 3: Make the frosting
For the frosting, sift the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa together. In a large bowl, beat the butter and vanilla until blended. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar mixture. Beat in enough milk to reach the desired consistency. Spread the frosting between layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
Step 4: Pipe color
Place each color of melted candy coating in a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip; pipe various circles of each color onto parchment. Drag the back of an offset spatula through each circle to create oblong shapes for the turkey feathers. Let it stand until set.
Step 5: Decorate
Arrange the turkey feathers upright into the top of the cake. Using a small round tip, pipe the melted white candy coating into two small discs, adding a black nonpareil in the center for eyes. With another small round tip, pipe melted red candy coating into a comma shape for the wattle. Cut a yellow candy coating disc into a triangle for the beak. Attach the eyes, beak and wattle to the front of the cake using extra frosting.
Turkey Cake Recipe Variations
- Top with your favorite frosting: Use whatever flavor and texture frosting you’d like by following our guide on how to frost a cake.
How to Store Turkey Cake
The best way to store this cake is under a cake dome or in a cake keeper. After you’ve sliced a frosted cake, press plastic wrap on the exposed sponge, which will keep the cake from drying out.
How long does turkey cake last?
When stored properly, turkey cake will last for three to four days.
Turkey Cake Tips
Can I double this Thanksgiving turkey cake recipe?
You could double this recipe, but treat it as two separate batches rather than trying to make an extra-large cake.
What is the best way to transport this turkey cake?
Taking this cake to go? Add the feathers once you get your destination so they don’t break. Keep your cake in a domed cake carrier and put a square of rubber shelf liner under the cake plate to keep it from jostling around during the car ride.
How else can I decorate my turkey cake?
Give your turkey some personality by making it your own. Swap the chocolate feathers for your favorite wafer cookie, pipe on goofy eyebrows or make a little Pilgrim hat out of an upside down cake cone dipped in chocolate. If you don’t have pre-colored candy discs, dye white chocolate different colors with a few drops of candy coloring. Just steer away from liquid or gel coloring that isn’t formulated for chocolate (or you’ll end up with a bowl of seized chocolate).
