14 Thanksgiving Cookies Kids Can Help Decorate

Kids enjoy choosing frosting colors and making their own cookie faces. They rarely need elaborate tools to have a great time.

These fourteen Thanksgiving designs start with sturdy cooled cookies and easy details. Prepare the dough and baking ahead so decorating can be the main event.

1. Turkey Face Sugar Cookies

Turkey Face Sugar Cookies have sturdy cookies ready for colored icing. That combination makes it a tempting addition to the fall table.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with brown, orange, and red icing.

An adult should handle hot trays and the oven. Start checking slightly before the listed baking time because ovens vary.

2. Pumpkin-Shaped Vanilla Cookies

The appeal of pumpkin-shaped vanilla cookies is easy to understand once you try a bite. It brings sturdy cookies ready for colored icing without fussy presentation.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with orange and green icing.

Use squeeze bottles for easier decorating. Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning before serving.

3. Fall Leaf Marble Icing Cookies

A homemade serving of fall leaf marble icing cookies feels a little more special than a packaged treat. The best part is sturdy cookies ready for colored icing.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with two colors of thick royal icing.

Measure the dry ingredients before getting started. Keep toppings separate until serving if you want extra crunch.

4. Pilgrim Hat Chocolate Cookies

Pilgrim Hat Chocolate Cookies put a new spin on a familiar seasonal flavor. You get sturdy cookies ready for colored icing in a recipe that fits a normal kitchen.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then mix in 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Roll chilled dough to 1/4 inch, cut circles and squares for hat shapes, bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes, then cool and pipe buckle outlines with yellow icing.

Adults can bake and set out the shapes in advance. Kids can attach the pieces using a dot of thick icing.

5. Acorn Cutout Cookies

There is no need for elaborate decorating with acorn cutout cookies. It already offers sturdy cookies ready for colored icing.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with two colors of thick royal icing.

Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning before serving. Cool leftovers promptly before covering.

6. Cranberry Wreath Sugar Cookies

A batch of cranberry wreath sugar cookies suits a quiet afternoon or a crowded table. Expect sturdy cookies ready for colored icing with very little fuss.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with two colors of thick royal icing.

Keep toppings separate until serving if you want extra crunch. An adult should handle hot trays and the oven.

7. Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies

Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies make good use of a handful of everyday ingredients. Its signature is sturdy cookies ready for colored icing.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with orange and green icing.

Use the pan size given so the texture stays predictable. Use squeeze bottles for easier decorating.

8. Plaid Sweater Cookie Squares

Some fall recipes are worth keeping because their textures are so satisfying. Plaid Sweater Cookie Squares brings sturdy cookies ready for colored icing.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with two colors of thick royal icing.

Cool leftovers promptly before covering. Measure the dry ingredients before getting started.

9. Thankful Message Cookies

The name says most of what is lovely about thankful message cookies. It delivers sturdy cookies ready for colored icing when you want something comforting.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with edible food markers.

An adult should handle hot trays and the oven. Start checking slightly before the listed baking time because ovens vary.

10. Autumn Tree Branch Cookies

Autumn Tree Branch Cookies are a nice change from the usual rotation. It has sturdy cookies ready for colored icing and plenty of room for your favorite finish.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with two colors of thick royal icing.

Use squeeze bottles for easier decorating. Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning before serving.

11. Maple Leaf Cinnamon Cookies

Maple Leaf Cinnamon Cookies have sturdy cookies ready for colored icing. That combination makes it a tempting addition to the fall table.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon, then fold in 1 3/4 cups flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Chill and roll to 1/4 inch, cut maple leaves, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, and cool before adding red or yellow icing.

Use simple leaf cutters that are easy for little hands to lift. Let icing set completely before stacking.

12. Mini Turkey Feather Cookies

The appeal of mini turkey feather cookies is easy to understand once you try a bite. It brings sturdy cookies ready for colored icing without fussy presentation.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with brown, orange, and red icing.

Start checking slightly before the listed baking time because ovens vary. Use the pan size given so the texture stays predictable.

13. Pie Crust Lattice Cookies

A homemade serving of pie crust lattice cookies feels a little more special than a packaged treat. The best part is crisp thin pastry layers.

Roll one sheet of refrigerated pie dough to 1/8 inch and cut into 1/2-inch strips. Weave small lattice squares on parchment, brush lightly with beaten egg, sprinkle with 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar, and bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

Chill the lattice for 10 minutes if it becomes sticky while weaving. Children can help arrange cool strips while adults manage the oven.

14. Cozy Mitten Sugar Cookies

Cozy Mitten Sugar Cookies put a new spin on a familiar seasonal flavor. You get sturdy cookies ready for colored icing in a recipe that fits a normal kitchen.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 egg, then stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp vanilla. Chill and roll 1/4 inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, then cool before decorating with two colors of thick royal icing.

Keep toppings separate until serving if you want extra crunch. An adult should handle hot trays and the oven.

Final Thoughts

Start with one recipe that suits the time and ingredients you have. Once you find a favorite, change the topping or spice the next time.