Pilgrim Hat Cookies
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These Pilgrim Hat Cookies are a fun and easy treat to add to your Thanksgiving dessert spread. Using simple ingredients like fudge-striped cookies and peanut butter cups, you can create this festive snack in just a few minutes.
Easy Cookie Pilgrim Hats
Thanksgiving is always a time for family to get together around here, and with a house full of nieces and nephews, I like to have simple kitchen projects that everyone can enjoy. These Pilgrim Hat Cookies are perfect for little hands. No baking, minimal mess, and they come together in minutes.
We’ve made a tradition out of creating edible place settings for the Thanksgiving table. Some years it’s Nutter Butter Turkeys and other times it’s these cute little Pilgrim Hats. While the turkey is baking, the kids gather in the kitchen to put these together. It gives them a fun activity and adds a personal touch to each place setting at dinner.
If you love this easy no-bake recipe, check out these Cute Acorn Cookies and Turkey Pretzel Rods for more Thanksgiving inspiration!
Ingredients
- Fudge-striped shortbread cookies – For the brim of the bat
- Yellow frosting – To create the band of the hat
- Reese’s Miniature Cups – The crown of the hat.
- Mini orange M&Ms – The buckle on the band of the hat.
Making the Hats
- Prep – Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and gather all your ingredients before getting started.
- Prepare the cookie bases – Turn all the fudge-striped cookies stripe-side down on your work surface.
- Add the frosting – Pipe or spread a small ring of yellow frosting around the hole in the center of each cookie.
- Attach the Reese’s cup – Place an unwrapped Reese’s cup upside down on top of the frosting and gently press to secure it.
- Add the buckle – Place a mini orange M&M on the yellow frosting to complete the look of the buckle.
- Let set – Allow the cookies to sit for about 15 minutes so the frosting can firm up before serving or placing on the table.
Variations and substitutions
Change up the ‘crown’ – Instead of Reese’s miniature cups, use Rolo candies to create the crown.
Switch up the ‘buckle’ – Make the buckle bigger and use a regular-size M&M or even Reese’s Pieces.
Change up the ‘band’ – I used yellow frosting for the band, but yellow candy melts would also be a great option.
Color combos – I kept a more traditional fall color scheme with yellow and orange accents. You can use whatever color combo your heart desires. A traditional pilgrim hat is brown all over so you could use brown frosting for the band and brown candy for the buckle.
Tips for Success
- Use the right size cookie – I tested these cookies using fudge-coated peanut butter cookies but felt that the cookie to Reese’s cup ratio was off and didn’t create a big enough brim. I recommend using the fudge-striped cookies, as mentioned in the recipe, as they are larger and create a better hat shape. Store-brand fudge-striped cookies work great!
- Chill the Reese’s Miniature Cups– I recommend placing your Reese’s cups in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before you unwrap them. Putting them in the fridge will help them keep their shape better and stop the ridges from sticking to the foil. This tip is especially helpful if your kitchen is warm.
- Allow the frosting to set – Allow the cookies enough time for the frosting to set before serving them so the pieces do not slide off.
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Pilgrim Hats Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 fudge-striped shortbread cookies
- ⅓ cup yellow frosting
- 12 Reese’s miniature cups unwrapped
- 12 mini orange M&Ms
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies in a single layer with the fudge layer facing up.
- Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe a dollop of frosting, slightly larger than the Reese’s cup, in the center of the cookie.
- Press a Reese’s cup upside down (larger side down) into the center of the frosting allowing the frosting to seep out and create the hatband.
- Place an M&M onto the yellow band of the hat to create the buckle.
- Place the cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 to allow the frosting to set before enjoying.
Notes
- Store the cookies at room temperature in a single layer in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.