Pilgrim Hat Cookies
These Pilgrim Hat Cookies are the easiest Thanksgiving treat you’ll make all season. These adorable no-bake cookies are kid-friendly, festive, and made with just a handful of simple ingredients.
If you’re planning a Thanksgiving menu and want to add something playful to the dessert spread, these are a great choice. You might also enjoy other festive holiday treats like my Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies, Mini Turkey Cupcakes, or Easy Pumpkin Oreos.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun for All Ages: Kids can help dip, decorate, and assemble each hat – no oven needed.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving: These festive treats look just like little Pilgrim hats and are a charming addition to your dessert table.
- Quick and Easy: Just a few pantry staples and about 30 minutes of active time.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these a day in advance and store them until serving time.
- Chocolate + Marshmallow = Magic: The combo is sweet, gooey, and irresistible.
Ingredients
- Fudge Stripes Cookies: These serve as the “brim” of the hat. Keebler’s are ideal because they have a chocolate-coated bottom and a donut shape that helps hold the marshmallow in place.
- Marshmallows: These act as the “top” of the hat. Their pillowy texture is the perfect base for melted chocolate.
- Chocolate Chips: Used to coat the marshmallows and attach them to the cookies. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate both work well, depending on your sweetness preference.
- Yellow Melting Candy: Creates the look of the hatband. These melt smoothly and harden quickly for easy decorating.
- Yellow Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms: These chocolate candies make the buckle! They’re the final decorative touch and add a little crunch.
Substitutions and Additions
- Use Mini Marshmallows for Bite-Sized Hats: If you want smaller hats for a dessert platter, mini marshmallows will do the trick – remember to reduce the chocolate and candy accordingly.
- Swap in White Chocolate: For a different look, coat the marshmallows in white chocolate and use orange melting candy for the band.
- Try Peppermint Patties Instead of Cookies: For a minty twist, use flat peppermint patties as the base instead of fudge stripe cookies.
- Decorate with Sprinkles: Add tiny fall-themed sprinkles around the base before the chocolate sets for an extra festive look.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate Chips
Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Bases
Lay all the Fudge Stripes cookies flat-side up on a tray or baking sheet. This will help the marshmallows stick better and give the hats a smooth brim.
Step 3: Dip the Marshmallows
Using a fork or toothpick, dip each marshmallow into the melted chocolate. Make sure it’s fully coated, then gently press it onto the center of a cookie. Repeat with the remaining marshmallows.
Step 4: Chill
Place the tray in the refrigerator and let the chocolate set for at least 15 minutes. This step helps everything stay in place before decorating.
Step 5: Melt and Pipe the Yellow Candy
Melt the yellow candy melts according to the package instructions. Transfer to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
Step 6: Decorate the Hats
Pipe a small ring of yellow candy around the base of each marshmallow (where it meets the cookie). Press a yellow Reese’s Piece or M&M (or your preferred candy color) into the front of the band to create a buckle.
Step 7: Let Set
Allow the yellow chocolate to harden completely before serving or storing. Enjoy!
Tips and Notes
- Use Room-Temperature Marshmallows: Cold marshmallows can cause the melted chocolate to seize or harden too fast.
- Chill in Batches: If your tray won’t fit in the fridge all at once, work in batches to keep the hats intact while chilling.
- Don’t Overheat the Chocolate: Melting the chocolate slowly prevents it from burning or becoming too thick to dip.
- Pipe Carefully: If the yellow candy is too runny, let it cool for a minute before piping for better control.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve on a Dessert Tray: Pair these with other mini Thanksgiving treats like acorn cookies or candy corn bark for a festive presentation.
- Add to Kids’ Table Settings: Place one on each plate as a sweet edible place card.
- Package as Party Favors: Wrap in clear treat bags and tie with ribbon for an adorable take-home gift.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Store in an Airtight Container: Keep them at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Avoid Humidity: Moisture can cause the cookies to soften and the chocolate to bloom – keep them in a dry place.
- Avoid Reheating: These are best enjoyed as-is. Reheating will melt the chocolate and candy decorations.
Craving more holiday sweets? Check out my favorite Thanksgiving dessert recipes for pies, cakes, cookies, and more.
Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Ingredients
- 30 Keebler Fudge Stripe cookies
- 30 marshmallows
- 12 ounces chocolate chips
- 1 cup yellow melting candy
- 30 yellow Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms
Instructions
- Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
- Lay all the Fudge Stripes cookies flat-side up on a tray or baking sheet. This will help the marshmallows stick better and give the hats a smooth brim.
- Using a fork or toothpick, dip each marshmallow into the melted chocolate. Make sure it’s fully coated, then gently press it onto the center of a cookie. Repeat with the remaining marshmallows.
- Place the tray in the refrigerator and let the chocolate set for at least 15 minutes. This step helps everything stay in place before decorating.
- Melt the yellow candy melts according to the package instructions. Transfer to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
- Pipe a small ring of yellow candy around the base of each marshmallow (where it meets the cookie).
- Press a yellow Reese’s Piece or M&M (or your preferred candy color) into the front of the band to create a buckle.
- Allow the yellow chocolate to harden completely before serving or storing. Enjoy!
