Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkey Treats

In an effort to stray from my usual "Oreo Turkey Treats" and "Candy Pilgrim Hats" as treats for the kids on Thanksgiving, I came up with these cute little chocolate covered strawberry turkey treats!  Only five ingredients paired with a little bit of patience and you will have cute, delicious turkey treats that your guests will gobble up!  

As a side note, I know it's a tad early to start posting Thanksgiving recipes.  Honestly, my mind has been in Thanksgiving mode for quite some time now mainly because I have been working with Food.com on Thanksgiving recipe posts since August.  

Ingredients:

• 6 medium strawberries 
• 8 oz chocolate candy melts
• 12 pieces pearl candies, white
• 12 pieces heart-shaped candies, orange 
• 42 pieces candy corn, divided 

Directions:

Place the chocolate candy melts in a small microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave on high in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between, until completely melted.  Allow the chocolate to cool for a few minutes before using as it is easier to work with chocolate that is slightly thickened.    

Cut off the tops of the strawberries and reserve the tops. Place a strawberry in the bowl of melted chocolate and stir it around with a spoon until it is completely coated.  With a spoon, stir the strawberry around in the chocolate until it is completely coated.  Lift the strawberry up out of the chocolate and allow some of the excess to fall off.  Place the strawberry on wax paper.  Repeat with the remaining strawberries.  

Assemble the "eyes".  Place two pearl candies on the top part of the "face" of the turkey and hold them there for a few seconds, until they stay on their own.  Dip the tip of a toothpick in the melted chocolate and dot the center of the pearl candies to complete the eyes.  Repeat with the remaining strawberries.

Make the "feet".  Place two orange candy hearts at the bottom where feet would go and hold them there for a few seconds, until they stay on their own.  Repeat with the remaining strawberries.

Make the "beak".  Take 6 pieces of the candy corn and cut the yellow and white parts off, so you have just the orange portion remaining.  Cut each orange piece into a triangular shape.  Dip the tip of a toothpick in the melted chocolate and apply some of the melted chocolate to the backside of a "beak".  Place the beak onto the strawberry under the eyes and hold it there for a few seconds, until it stays on its own.  Repeat with the remaining "beaks".

Make the "wattle".  Using a sharp paring knife, cut very thin slivers off of the reserved strawberry tops.  Drape the strawberry sliver over the beak and gently press it into the chocolate.  Repeat with the remaining "wattles".  

Place the turkeys in the freezer for 5 minutes, to allow the chocolate to slightly set.  Allowing the chocolate to slightly set at this point helps the candy corn (feathers) stick to the strawberry and chocolate easier.

Make the "feathers".  This is the hardest part but after a little practice, it really is easy.  6 total pieces of candy corn go into the top of each strawberry to make the "feathers", 4 on the top and 1 on each side.  With your toothpick, poke four small holes in the very top edge of the strawberry where the 4 top candy corn would go.  Gently and carefully press the pieces of candy corn into the holes.  I find that this is easiest if you steady the strawberry with your other hand by placing the toothpick in the backside of it as you press the candy corn pieces in.  For the remaining 2 side "feathers" that go on the ends, you must cut the candy corn at an angle to make them fit more easily into the sides.  Make small holes with the toothpick for the side "feathers" and press the candy pieces in as you did with the others.  Roll your toothpick around into the melted chocolate and spread a thin layer of the chocolate at the base of the "feathers".  This will give some extra support for the candy corn.  Hold the candy corn in place for a few moments, until they stay on their own.  

Return the turkeys to the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, to allow the chocolate to completely set.  

Enjoy!