Pilgrim Hat Cookies – A Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Treat
Pilgrim hat cookies are one of the easiest—and cutest—Thanksgiving treats to make. They come together in minutes, require no baking, and add a festive touch to any holiday dessert table. If you need something simple, fun, and crowd-pleasing, these little edible “hats” are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving celebration.
Ingredients for Pilgrim Hat Cookies
To make these no-bake Thanksgiving cookies, you only need a handful of ingredients, which makes creating pilgrim hat cookies quick and easy:
- Fudge-striped cookies
- Peanut butter
- White chocolate chips
- Mini peanut butter cups
- Mini m&m’s
How to Make Pilgrim Hat Cookies
These pilgrim hat cookies come together quickly:
- Flip the Cookies:Place the fudge-striped cookies upside down so the chocolate side is facing up.
- Create the Hat:Add a small dot of frosting or melted chocolate to the center of each cookie.Press a mini peanut butter cup on top to complete the pilgrim hat.
- Add the Buckle:Pipe a small yellow “buckle” with icing or add a tiny candy to the front of each peanut butter cup.
- Let Them Set:Chill for a few minutes to help everything stick and hold its shape.
These cookies store well and travel easily, making them ideal for potlucks or family gatherings. You’ll find that pilgrim hat cookies are not only delicious but also convenient.
Swaps and Substitutions
Here are some easy swaps you can make to tweak the recipe if you’d like!
- Swap the peanut butter and white chocolate mixture for regular chocolate! You can melt chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil or use melting chocolate candies as the glue for this recipe for more of a chocolately taste and cleaner look.
- You can swap the mini M&M for drawing on a yellow buckle with frosting or can use another yellow candy that you like!
- You could swap the mini Reese cup with a chocolate dipped marshmallow–just melt some chocolate chips with some coconut oil or use melting chocolate candies. I’ve also used Hershey Kisses in the shape of bells. A bag of these usually comes out around the holidays and the bell shape makes for the perfect top hat!
More Easy Thanksgiving Treats
If you’re building a full dessert tray, these pair perfectly with my other no-bake fall treats.
Check out:
Both are quick, themed snacks that bring a playful touch to your Thanksgiving table. These treats, along with pilgrim hat cookies, create a delightful ensemble for your celebrations.
Simple Christmas Treats to Make Next
Once Thanksgiving is wrapped up, you’ll love these Hershey Kiss Pretzel Bites — another easy, no-bake (or minimal-bake) holiday recipe.
They’re salty, sweet, festive, and perfect for gifting or bringing to Christmas gatherings.
Serving Ideas for Pilgrim Hat Cookies
These cookies look adorable on a dessert platter surrounded by pies and fall-themed treats. You can plate them with parchment, add them to a kid-friendly snack table, or wrap a few in treat bags as Thanksgiving place-setting favors.
All in all
Pilgrim hat cookies add charm and fun to your Thanksgiving spread without the stress of a complicated recipe. They’re quick, festive, and always a hit with guests. Hope they bring a little extra joy to your holiday table this season.
Read • Watch • Listen
Watch: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving — a classic, cozy way to kick off the holiday spirit.
Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 pkg fudge striped cookies
- 1 pkg Reese's miniature cups
- 1 pkg mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Prepare a large baking tray or cutting board by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.
- Heat the peanut butter and white chocolate chips on the stovetop or in the microwave on low. Stir frequently until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a piping bag or ziploc bag and snip off a corner.
- Place the fudge striped coookied, stripe down ono the baking tray.
- Pipe the white chocolate peanut butter mixxture into the centers of the cookies, making a circle foro the mini Reese to stick on.
- Place the mini Reese cup on top with the larger side down. Lightly press it down to allow the mixture to spread from around it.
- Place the mini M&M on the band to make a buckle.
- Allow them to set completely before serving. You can place them in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened completely. Enjoy!
