A Rafter of Turkeys
Turkeys and pumpkins are the classic shapes for Thanksgiving cutout cookies. They can be crazy or elegant, but decorating them reminds me that this is the time to think about all the people I’m thankful to have in my life. My favorite way to let them know how much they mean to me is to give them cookies. On the “big day” the dessert table may be loaded with pies, but when it’s time to go home, everyone leaves with a cookie or two for the road. There’s always room for a cookie. Right?
“I love Thanksgiving because it is a holiday centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.” Marcus Samuelsson
If your family is like ours at Thanksgiving, it’s all about the “noble bird.” We’ve cooked turkey in almost every way imaginable...roasted, deep-fried (which left a huge peanut-oil stain on our patio!), barbecued, brined, grilled; we’ve even done “turducken,” which involves stuffing a turkey with a duck which has been stuffed with a chicken. I think that was my favorite Thanksgiving because the end result was so hilarious. My sister wasn’t sure of the exact method of assembling turducken and removed the turkey legs so that by the end of the process the poor beast had to have chicken legs poking out of it. We were all sure the bird died of shame more than anything else. But it was undeniably delicious.
Cookie specifics
Classic Sugar Cookie. The turkeys are made with my classic sugar cookie recipe from my mother’s neighbor, Mrs. Gregor. It has a bold vanilla flavor and slightly soft texture. I decorated them with vanilla glaze and used large orange nonpareils for the goofy eyes.
Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookies. The pumpkins are made with a delicious Lofthouse-style sugar cookie recipe. It produces a soft and chewy cookie that’s perfect for cutting out any shape, even the most delicate ones. I also decorated them with a thick vanilla-bean glaze that dries hard enough to stack but keeps its shine and glass-like appearance.
Pumpkins
2½-inch pumpkin cookie cutter
Turkeys
the turkey fan tails are a 3-inch flower shape, while the bodies are a 1½-inch peanut shape
Classic Sugar Cookie. A recipe based on one from Mrs. Gregor, a neighbor of my mom’s when she was a newlywed.
Lofthouse-Style Sugar Cookie. Recipe based on several recipes from family and friends. My goal was to make a cookie full of flavor that would hold its shape for delicate cutouts but not end up hard as a rock. This is it!
Cookies
Classic Sugar Cookies: flour, butter, granulated sugar, egg, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookies: flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, confectioners’s sugar, butter, eggs, pure vanilla extract, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Vanilla-Bean Glaze: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring, vanilla beans, pure vanilla extract
Sprinkles: large orange nonpareils for the turkey eyes
Plate, Box or Bag?
Plate. For our family feast, I arranged the cookies on a holiday plate and passed it around after everyone had finished their dinner.
Bags. I wrapped individual pumpkins and turkeys in clear, food-safe bags, secured with a twist tie so that everyone could take home leftovers for the next day.
Mailing. I also mailed several dozen bagged cookies to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I always send them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I use the boxes provided by the Post Office and lots of bubble wrap. In almost all cases, the cookies arrive undamaged. I know the packages are appreciated when they arrive because of the texts I get with all those smiling faces.
What I’ve learned...
These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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