Learn how to make a homemade turkey cake with simple ingredients and tools. This showstopper Thanksgiving cake is pumpkin flavored and decorated with fondant and icing.
Even though Thanksgiving is not a part of my culture, I find the whole idea behind this wonderful day to be very sweet. Getting together as a family and giving thanks for all your blessings is just beautiful. Life gets so busy that we start to take all our blessings for granted but I truly think it’s important to reflect on all that God has bestowed upon us and be thankful. What better way to celebrate all that than with a whimsical and joyous cake! To take that turkey theme one step further, make sure to check out my tutorial on How To Make Turkey Topper and these Easy Oreo Turkey Cookies as well as these Turkey Cupcakes that are all simple enough to make with kids.
Thanksgiving is coming up, which means it’s time to start planning the menu! The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table is obviously the turkey. But this year, why not take your turkey up a notch by turning it into a gorgeous cake? A turkey-shaped cake is sure to wow your guests and become the talk of the dinner table.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to make a turkey-shaped cake from start to finish. It takes a bit of time and effort, but the end result is so worth it. Let’s get started!
Pick Your Cake Recipe
The first step is to decide what kind of cake you want to use as the base for your turkey cake, Here are some options
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Box cake mix This is the quickest and easiest option. Funfetti, vanilla, or yellow mixes work best Make the cake according to the package instructions
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From scratch cake: For best results, use a sturdy from-scratch cake recipe like vanilla butter cake or yellow butter cake. The recipes allow you to make a moist, dense cake that will hold its shape when carved.
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Cupcakes: You can also use frosted cupcakes as the building blocks for your turkey. Arrange them into the turkey shape on a cake board.
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Sheet cake: Making a sheet cake and carving it into a turkey shape is another option. Use a 13×18 inch sheet pan.
I recommend using a box cake mix if you’re short on time. But for the tastiest results, a from-scratch cake can’t be beat!
Make the Cake and Prepare the Frosting
Once you’ve chosen your cake recipe, it’s time to bake it.
For a box mix, simply follow the instructions on the package. Bake the cake in two 8 or 9-inch round pans for layer cakes. Or bake it in a sheet cake pan if you’re doing a sheet cake.
For a from-scratch cake, find a recipe and make it accordingly. Bake the cake in the recommended pan sizes.
While the cake is baking, you can prepare the frosting. I recommend using canned frosting for simplicity. Opt for cream cheese or vanilla frosting which will pair nicely with yellow or vanilla cakes. Frosting helps hold the shaped cake together.
Set aside about a third of the frosting to use later for decorating. Use the remaining two-thirds to assemble the cake.
Shape the Cake into a Turkey
Here comes the fun part – shaping the baked cake into a turkey! This takes a bit of creativity and eyeballing, so don’t worry if your turkey isn’t perfectly sculpted.
If using round cakes, level them with a long serrated knife to create flat surfaces. Place one cake round on your cake board or platter. Spread about 1/4 of the frosting on top. Top with second cake layer and spread with 1/4 more frosting. This will be the turkey’s body.
For the head, use cake trimmings to form an oval shape. Cut a triangle out of cake for the beak and attach to the head with frosting. Use frosting to attach the head to the front of the turkey body.
For the wattle, cut a small teardrop shape from cake trimmings. Attach under the beak with frosting. Use a toothpick to sculpt lines into the frosting to create texture.
For the legs, cut cake trimmings into long oval shapes. Use toothpicks to attach the legs to the bottom of the body, inserting them halfway into the cake. Arrange the legs sticking out sideways.
Use remaining cake trimmings to create the ruffled tail feathers. Cut triangles and ovals of varying sizes and textures. Attach them in an overlapping pattern with frosting to create a fanned out tail.
Continue adding other triangles of cake around the body to make the wings and other feathers.
Frost and Decorate the Turkey
Once your turkey is sculpted, use the remaining frosting to cover the entire cake to hold it together. Smooth the frosting with an icing spatula.
Use decorating tips, fondant, frosting, and candy to decorate your turkey masterpiece! Here are some ideas:
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Frosting feathers – Use a star tip to pipe frosting feathers all over the cake. Vary the size and shape.
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Fondant features – Roll fondant into balls for the eyes, triangle for the beak, and teardrop for the wattle. Attach with frosting.
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Chocolate drizzle – Drizzle melted chocolate over the cake for accent feathers.
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Candy corn feet – Use candy corn for whimsical turkey feet and spurs!
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Fruit and nut decor – Stud the cake with cranberries, blueberries, and chopped nuts.
Add any other decorations to make your turkey unique. Get the kids involved too – use their small hands for sculpting fondant decorations.
Display Your Turkey Cake
Once your decorative turkey cake is complete, it’s time for the big reveal!
For full effect, dramatically present the cake on your Thanksgiving dessert table. Surround it with autumn-colored leaves, twigs, or festive turkey decor.
Light up your guests’ faces by exclaiming “Ta-da!” when you present the turkey. Watch their delight as they admire your masterpiece.
Offer to slice the cake so guests can have a slice along with Thanksgiving pie and other treats. Be sure to snap lots of pics for memories!
Turkey Cake Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips for turkey cake success:
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Use a cake board for easy portability. Place it on a revolving cake stand for decorating.
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Chill the cake for 30 minutes before carving to firm it up. Sculpt slowly and gently.
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Use a combination of cake and rice cereal treats to create different shapes and textures.
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Support appendages with cut straws or candy sticks inserted into the cake.
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Make cake pop heads, wings, and other decorations ahead of time for easy assembly.
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Cover carved cake sections in frosting as you go to prevent drying out.
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Keep assembled cake chilled until party time. Then take out 30 minutes before serving.
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Transport the frosted cake carefully on a sturdy cake board. Refrigerate upon arrival.
FAQs About Turkey Cakes
What kind of frosting is best for a turkey cake?
Cream cheese or vanilla frosting works well. Avoid soft or liquid frostings that won’t hold the cake’s shape.
How far in advance can I make the cake?
You can bake the cake layers, prepare the frosting, and assemble the base cake up to 2 days before. Decorate it the day of.
What do I do if my cake gets dried out?
Lightly brush with simple syrup to add moisture. Or just use plenty of frosting!
Can I carve the cake more than once?
Yes, gently. Chill the cake again first if needed to firm it up. Sculpt slowly.
What if my turkey shape looks wonky?
Just decorate it to detract from any imperfections! Cover it in frosting feathers. No one will notice.
Gobble Up This Delicious Cake!
Taking the time to carve a cake into a beautiful turkey centerpiece is so worth it. Your guests will be impressed with your baking and decorating skills. Kids will get a kick out of the fun turkey shape. And the decadent cake inside is the perfect ending to a hearty Thanksgiving meal.
So try your hand at a turkey cake this year for a memorable dessert. Follow the tips above and don’t be afraid to get creative. No matter how it turns out, your turkey cake will make for great Thanksgiving memories. Just be sure to save me a slice – or leg!
How To Make Easy Turkey Cake Recipe From Scratch?
- Bake cakes- Allow them to cool completely.
- Assemble cake– Level, fill, ice and stack.
- Cover in brown fondant– And trim excess around the base.
- Add feather indentations– Using a grass decorating tip.
- Make turkey torso and face- With rice krispie treats and fondant.
- Attach to the front of cake– Do this very gently.
- Make wings– Using a leaf cutter and yellow, red, brown fondant.
- Stick them on top of cake- With corn syrup.
- Pipe green grass– Around base of the cake.
- Steam cake- So that everything sticks into place.
Tips And Techniques For Thanksgiving Cake
Use store bought fondant– If you are short on time.
Where to buy Wilton decorating tips? You can buy them online at Wiltons site, Party City, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Wal Mart.
Cool cakes completely before icing– Otherwise the icing will melt and slip right off the cake.
Level cakes– Cut off the dome of the cakes to make them as even and flat as possible. This makes decorating the cake much easier and keeps it stable.
How to save time? You can make the hat and feet beforehand. I made them a week ago and they were waiting to be used when I started putting this cake together. Make the leaves beforehand. I made them while watching T.V last week. Also, making these feathers beforehand hardens them a little and they they hold their shape better when you stick them on top of the cake.
How to attach fondant pieces? You can stick these pieces on by brushing very little water or corn syrup onto the piece or the place you are attaching them. A little amount of water goes a long way.
How to trim excess fondant? Cut off the excess from the base with a pizza cutter or very sharp knife.
