In a mixing bowl, add in the butter and granulated sugar. Mix until just combined.
Add in the egg and vanilla bean paste. Mix until combined.
Add in the flour and mix just until the dough ball forms.
Make the first ball just a little less than ¾ of the dough. Add the chocolate color until you have the brown you desire. Mix until combined.
Add a drop or two of egg yellow and electric orange gel paste to the remaining dough. If you only have an orange, use that.
Roll out the brown cookie dough. Make the dough about a ½ inch thick.
Use a turkey cookie cutter, and cut out as many chocolate color turkeys as possible.
Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Line the turkeys up with the cutter by placing it on top of the cut cookie. Sometimes the neck can get a little weird.
Place in the freezer for about 30 minutes until frozen.
Remove from the freezer and stack the turkeys. They won't really stick so you have to work carefully.
Roll tiny ropes to fit into all the detailed crevices like the neck, tail feathers and feet. Press them into each crevice. You can use a skewer to help push the rope into the neck.
Once all the detail work is covered with the orange cookie dough, make larger ropes and cover the remaining slots. Try to keep the dough spread evenly out.
Once the turkey is covered, cover with plastic wrap and carefully begin rolling it to make the log into a well shaped log.
To add the sprinkles, carefully unwrap it and hold it using both hands. It can easily break apart since the turkeys are frozen and not sticking together well.
Place the sprinkles on a large plate and roll the dough log carefully over the sprinkles to cover it using both hands and holding the ends and center.
Roll the dough back up into the plastic wrap and place inside a hefty freezer bag.
Place in the freezer until frozen solid. I left mine overnight.
Let the dough sit out for about 15 to 20 minutes to slightly soften up. Slice the cookies. This is a good time to preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the sliced cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until done.
Let the cool 5 - 10 minutes on the baking pan and then transfer them onto a cooling rack. Serve!
Notes
To store dough, keep in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3 days.To freeze, place in plastic wrap in an air tight container for up to 3 months.To store baked cookies, plan in an air tight container and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.