Turkey Shaped Rolls for Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m always on the lookout for ideas to make our Thanksgiving meal something to remember.  My goal is to create fun memories for my little “grandbuddies!”  I saw these made on a television show called “The Food Nanny.”  It airs on K-BYU television. The Food Nanny visits families in their homes and helps them put together a meal plan.  She also helps them to understand the importance of sitting down together at the dinner table for a good home cooked meal and good conversation!

I decided to try her turkey shaped rolls!  Aren’t they cute?  The Food Nanny made a larger version of these in a regular size muffin pan, but I decided to make a smaller version in my Mini Muffin Pan.  A better size for kids!

They are way easier than they look…

Start by rolling out your dough into a 12″ circle, about 1/4″ thick.  Cut the circle into 12 even wedges as shown below:

I find that the best way to do this is to cut the dough in fourths, then cut each fourth into three.  (This is the same way you begin to make crescent rolls.)

Next, generously spray your mini-muffin tin with cooking spray.  The wedges will be 6″ long.  Lay the wedges into the muffin tin as shown below, and then, using your kitchen shears, snip the wide end 4 times (about 3/4″ deep) to make the “feathers.”  (Notice that as you place them in the pan, you will need to alternate the directions of the turkeys and you will need probably need to use every other space so that they don’t touch each other.)

Next, using a toothpick or a chopstick, make a hole in the small pointed end.  This becomes the turkey’s  “eye.”

See?  He’s starting to take shape!  Now you just need to cover him with a clean kitchen towel and allow him to rise (until he become pleasantly plump!)

Bake the plump little turkeys at 400° for 5 minutes.  Rotate the pan and bake another 4 – 5 minutes or until golden. Watch them and cover with foil to avoid over browning. Brush with melted butter and serve warm!