Print

Best Easy Homemade Turkey Cake Pops with Crunchy Pretzel Feathers

turkey cake pops - featured image
Print Recipe

These adorable turkey cake pops are a showstopper for any fall gathering. Made with simple ingredients like cake mix, frosting, candy melts, and pretzel sticks, they come together in under an hour and are perfect for Thanksgiving potlucks or parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box yellow cake mix (Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines preferred)
  • Ingredients listed on the box (typically eggs, oil, and water)
  • 1/2 cup canned cream cheese frosting
  • 1 bag pretzel sticks (thin, crunchy kind, 10-ounce bag)
  • 1 bag (12 oz) candy melts in brown or chocolate (Ghirardelli or Wilton)
  • 1 bag (12 oz) candy melts in orange
  • 1 bag (12 oz) candy melts in red
  • Candy eyes (small, about 6mm size)
  • Orange sprinkles or nonpareils (optional)
  • Lollipop sticks (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the cake mix according to package directions and bake in a 9×13 pan. Let cool completely.
  2. Once the cake is completely cool, break it into chunks and place in a large bowl. Crumble into fine crumbs using your hands, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting to the cake crumbs. Mix with a spatula, then use your hands to work it together until the mixture feels like damp sand and holds together when squeezed. Add more frosting if too dry, or more cake crumbs if too wet.
  4. Scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You should get about 20-24 balls. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to firm up.
  5. While the cake balls chill, break pretzel sticks into thirds. You’ll need about 5-6 pieces per turkey. Set aside.
  6. Melt the brown candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely smooth.
  7. Remove cake balls from the fridge. Using a fork or dipping tool, lower one cake ball into the melted brown candy. Tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to let excess drip off. Place the coated ball back on the parchment paper.
  8. While the coating is still wet, insert 5-6 pretzel stick pieces into the back of the cake ball, fanning them out like turkey feathers. Work quickly as the coating sets fast.
  9. Press two candy eyes into the front of each cake pop while the coating is still wet.
  10. Melt the orange candy melts using the same 30-second interval method. Transfer to a small piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
  11. Pipe a small triangle for the beak directly below the eyes.
  12. Melt the red candy melts. Pipe a small squiggly line or teardrop shape hanging down from the beak for the snood.
  13. Allow the cake pops to set completely at room temperature, about 15-20 minutes. Do not refrigerate.
  14. Optional: Sprinkle orange nonpareils around the base for turkey feet.

Notes

Temperature is key: cake balls should be chilled but not frozen. If candy melts are too thick, add a teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening. Work in small batches to avoid candy hardening. Prep pretzels ahead of time. These taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey cake pops, Thanksgiving dessert, cake pops, easy dessert, fall dessert, pretzel feathers, holiday treats

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/best-easy-homemade-turkey-cake-pops-with-crunchy-pretzel-feathers/