Make Thanksgiving cute with turkey chocolate-covered strawberries made with pretzels, marshmallows, and almond bark. Fun, easy, and perfect for kids to make.
I love nothing more than having kid-friendly recipes where they can pour their heart out decorating little goodies to show the whole family. It's always so heartwarming to see their faces light up when they make something they're genuinely proud of, and this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving because it's exactly that kind of project.
After doing holiday projects with my kids for years (we made plenty of cookies last year), I've figured out that the best ones have clear, distinct jobs that each kid can claim as their own. These chocolate covered strawberry turkeys work so well with our little team because there are multiple assembly steps that don't require adult precision. My daughter loves being in charge of the dipping, and my son has claimed the pretzel leg assembly as his job.
And let me tell you, they take their roles very seriously! The trick is using ingredients that are easy to work with. Melted coating sets quickly enough that little hands can move on to the next step without waiting around, but not so fast that they panic if they mess up.
These little turkeys actually look impressive on your dessert table, so the kids feel like they've contributed something real to the holiday spread. My family always makes a big deal about them, and you should see how proud my kids get when everyone's taking photos before eating them.
Fair warning though, I always have to double one ingredient to have enough for everything because pieces disappear fast, especially with my son sneaking them constantly. I've learned to just buy extra and consider it the cost of keeping him happy while we work!
This is one of those recipes that creates memories while you're making it, and honestly, that's what Thanksgiving is all about in our house.
Ingredients
You'll need medium-sized strawberries because they're the perfect size for dipping and decorating without being too awkward to handle. I always make sure mine are completely dry before I start, and I mean bone dry, because even a tiny bit of moisture will make that chocolate slide right off, and trust me, I learned that the hard way!
Chocolate almond bark is my go-to for this project because it melts so smoothly and sets up quickly, which matters when you're trying to build these little turkey shapes. It also stays firm at room temperature, so your turkeys won't get droopy sitting on the counter. You could use regular chocolate chips in a pinch, but you'd need to add some oil to get them melting right, and they won't set as nicely.
Vanilla almond bark handles all the detail work: the eyes, beaks, and those cute little pretzel "booties." It melts into this perfectly smooth coating and hardens fast enough that everything stays sharp and doesn't turn into a melted mess.
Thin pretzel sticks become the legs and add a nice little crunch when you bite into them. The thin ones are key because they break cleanly and stick into the strawberries without cracking all your hard chocolate work.
Mini marshmallows cut in half create the turkey thighs. Cutting them gives you that flat surface that actually sticks when you dip it in chocolate instead of just rolling off.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys?
These chocolate covered strawberry turkeys are a fun and easy treat to bring to Thanksgiving. They look festive on the dessert table, work well as a kid-friendly project, trust me when I say they'll love this!
Prepare the Strawberries
Wash the strawberries and dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Any moisture will keep the chocolate from sticking, so make sure they’re completely dry before moving on.
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Melt the Chocolate Almond Bark
Place the chocolate almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until it melts into a smooth coating.
Create the Turkey Legs
Let the chocolate harden so the pieces stay in place. Repeat this process for the rest of the strawberries before moving on.
Dip the Strawberries
Melt the Vanilla Almond Bark
While the dipped strawberries are setting, melt the vanilla almond bark in another bowl. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round until smooth.
Add the Finishing Touches
Using a spoon, place a small dot of melted vanilla bark on the tips of the pretzel legs. This creates the look of the little paper “booties” often seen on roasted turkey legs.
Serve and Enjoy!
Allow the strawberries to dry completely, then arrange them on a plate and serve. I hope you love these festive little strawberry turkeys!
Storage
Keep the strawberries in a single layer in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. They’re best eaten the same day because strawberries release moisture over time, which can soften the chocolate. If possible, line the container with paper towels to help absorb excess moisture and keep the coating from getting sticky.
Top Tips for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Dry the strawberries completely: Even a little moisture keeps the chocolate from sticking, so pat them dry well before dipping.
Let each layer set fully: Allow the marshmallow and pretzel “legs” to harden before dipping the whole strawberry. This keeps them from sliding off.
Work on parchment paper: Setting the dipped strawberries on parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Recipe
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Turkey chocolate covered strawberries
Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries 15 to 20 medium-sized strawberries in a pound
- 12 oz chocolate almond bark
- 3 oz vanilla almond bark
- 20 thin pretzel sticks broken in half
- 20 mini marshmallows cut in half
Instructions
- Prep your strawberries by washing them, and drying them.
- Melt your chocolate almond bark for 30 second increments.
- Dip one side of your ½ marshmallow in chocolate, then place on the side of the turkey to resemble the thigh. Once dried, dip your ½ pretzel stick in chocolate, then place in the marshmallow. Allow to completely dry and adhere to your strawberry. I will finish this step, and then continue with the remaining strawberries.
- Dip your strawberry in the chocolate just up to the stem.
- While your “turkeys” are drying completely, melt your vanilla bark in the microwave at 30 second increments.
- Using a spoon, drop a small amount of the white chocolate on the end of the pretzel sticks to resemble “paper frills or "booties".
- Serve and enjoy!
