🦃 Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes (Moist Greek Yogurt Chocolate Cupcakes!)

Nov 17

Close up shot of cute decorated turkey cupcakes with a rich chocolate base and decadent chocolate frosting that are too cute and festive to eat!

Thanksgiving always brings out the fun, the food, and the memories — and these Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes check all three boxes. They start with the richest, most tender chocolate cupcake base (thank you, Greek yogurt + melted chocolate + butter!) and then get decorated into the cutest little turkeys you’ll ever see.

Whether you’re making them for your kids’ school party or your Thanksgiving dessert table, these cupcakes are guaranteed to get smiles. And yes— we’re adding whole chocolate chips to the batter so every bite has a gooey, melty surprise. Trust me… it’s the right move.

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes

Moist and rich: Greek yogurt + butter + oil= the perfect texture.
Double chocolate: Cocoa powder + melted chocolate + chocolate chips.
Easy decoration: Mini Reese’s cups, candy eyes, and M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces make the cutest turkey faces and feathers.
Kid-friendly: Simple, hands-on decorating.
Make-ahead friendly: Cakes stay moist for days.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for melting)
1/2 cup additional chocolate chips (to stir into the batter for chocolate chunks!)
3/4 cup + 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup boiling water or hot coffee
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 Tbsp Greek yogurt
3 Tbsp half & half
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Turkey Decorations

Mini Reese’s cups (one per cupcake)
Candy eyes
Orange Reese’s Pieces or orange M&Ms (for beaks)
Red icing or a small red Airhead strip (for the wattle)
Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms in fall colors (for feathers)

How to Make Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes

1. Melt the chocolate. In a small bowl, combine the oil, butter, and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Melt in the microwave in 20–30 second intervals or use a double boiler. Stir until smooth and glossy. Set aside.

2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt.

3. Whisk the wet ingredients

In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, whisk sugar, brown sugar, eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. Add the melted chocolate mixture and whisk again.

4. Combine. Add half of the dry mixture, then half of the yogurt. Repeat until fully combined. Stir in the hot water/coffee.

Fold in the extra chocolate chips so you get melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.

5. Bake. Divide into a lined cupcake pan and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.

6. Make the frosting. Beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix in yogurt, half & half, vanilla, and salt until smooth.

Pipe a big swirl onto each cupcake. Used a WIlton 1M piping tip to create the look.

7. Decorate your turkeys!

Place a mini Reese’s cup slightly forward on the frosting —this is the turkey’s head.
Use a dot of frosting to attach candy eyes and an orange Reese’s Piece “beak.”
Add a little red icing or gummy worm for the wattle.
Stick fall-colored M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces behind the Reese’s cup to look like feathers.

They turn out ADORABLE.

mixing silky smooth melted chocolate chips into wet ingredients for decadent chocolate turkey cupcakes--the cutest Thanksgiving cupcakes. — ***Whisk together the eggs and sugars, then stir in the melted chocolate mixture until smooth and glossy.***

Rich decadent moist chocolate cupcakes ready to ice with Wilton 1M tip and ready to decorate like little turkeys. — ***Pipe a swirl of rich chocolate frosting onto each cooled cupcake, starting from the outside and working toward the center.***

Rich chocolate cupcakes ready to decorate like little turkeys--these are the perfect kid Thanksgiving dessert. — ***Magnifico! All frosted and ready for the fun part.***

Overhead shot of all the decorations ready to decorate chocolate turkey cupcakes-the perfect Thanksgiving treat. — ***A little candy, a lot of chocolate, and the makings of some very cute Thanksgiving turkey cupcakes.***

Decorating the moist chocolate cupcakes to look like cute little turkeys. — ***Place a mini Reese’s cup slightly forward on each frosted cupcake, then use a small dot of frosting to attach the candy eyes so they stay in place.***

A platter full of super cute Thanksgiving chocolate turkey cupcakes — ***A whole flock of chocolate turkeys ready to be gobbled up—no carving required. These turkeys don’t stand a chance!***

Yield, Prep, and Storage

Yield: 12 cupcakes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 18–20 minutes
Decorating time: 15 minutes

Store cupcakes tightly covered for up to 3 days. They stay super moist because of the Greek yogurt.

✨ Tips for Success

Use hot coffee for the richest chocolate flavor.
Freeze Reese’s cups 10 minutes before decorating so they hold their shape.
Chill cupcakes after decorating so the feathers and faces stay put.
Use a large open star or round piping tip for the best turkey “body” swirl.

Pro Tip: Lightly Spray Your Cupcake Liners

For extra-moist chocolate cupcakes like these, I always give my cupcake liners a quick spritz of butter-flavored cooking spray before filling them. It helps the wrappers peel away cleanly, keeps the edges soft, and prevents tearing — especially with rich, chocolate-heavy batters. One light mist is all you need, and it makes a big difference.

A Sweet Ending to Our Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving always reminds me that the best moments happen around the table — with good food, a little laughter, and the people we love most. These Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes are a fun reminder that baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. I hope they bring a smile to your table and a little extra joy to your holiday season.

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