Pilgrim Hat Cookies are a fun and easy no-bake treat that's perfect for your Thanksgiving gathering this year! Ready in just 25 minutes, they're a great last-minute snack for your Thanksgiving dessert table.
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These simple Pilgrim Hats take just a few easy steps to make, so it's a great way to get the kids involved during your Thanksgiving celebration. You can even make these pilgrim hats with extra candies or different colors of frosting! It's great for classroom parties, an afternoon treat, or any other day in November just to make the holiday a little more special.
For more fun and easy Thanksgiving snacks and desserts, try my Twix Caramel Popcorn, Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, Puff Pastry Apple Roses, Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse, and this yummy Pumpkin Roll!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Use your favorite cookies for the base of the hat, any color of frosting, and even different candies for decoration!
- These no-bake cookies are made with just 4 ingredients that you can get from your local grocery store.
- They're SO EASY to make: frost a cookie, put a peanut butter cup on top, and add candy!
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Cookies - I've used fudge stripe cookies for the base of the pilgrim hats as they have a great crunchy texture, as well as some chocolate! You can use another kind of cookie like Oreos, iced oatmeal cookies, or any other round cookie that you prefer.
- Frosting - Use a yellow frosting for a great color contrast to the chocolate cookie and peanut butter cup on top. A dollop of frosting becomes the hatband, helps in attaching Reese’s cup to the cookie, and also adds another sweet layer to these cookies.
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are for the top of the pilgrim hat, adding a delicious peanut butter chocolate flavor.
- M&M's - Mini M&Ms are the best size for these cookies to get the proportions right. Use any kind of M&Ms (crispy, peanut, chocolate), or even Mini Reese's Pieces if you prefer.
How to Make This Recipe
- Place cookies on a baking tray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place fudge stripe cookies upside on the tray in a single layer (with the fudgy chocolate side facing up).
- Add frosting. 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.
- Top with peanut butter cup. 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.
- Add M&M. Lastly, place an M&M on the yellow band of the hat to create the buckle. Place the cookies in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to allow the frosting to set before enjoying.
Recipe FAQ's
A zip-lock bag with a very small hole cut at one corner can be a handy substitute for a piping bag.
Absolutely! Just store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Store your Pilgrim Hat Cookies at room temperature in a single layer in an airtight container for up to a week.
Tips for Success
- I tested these cookies using the 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.
- You can use a tube of store-bought yellow decorator’s icing or color some Vanilla Buttercream Frosting with gold or yellow food coloring (affiliate link) to adhere the Reese’s cups to the cookies. I opted for the second method as I prefer the taste of vanilla frosting over decorator's icing.
- Apply a generous amount of frosting to secure Reese’s cup to the cookie, as this creates a distinct band around the hat. However, be careful not to overdo it, as excess frosting might make the cookies too sweet.
Place your Reese’s Peanut Butter 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!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use other cookies for the base. Any kind of chocolate wafer cookies or even sandwich cookies like Oreos can be a great alternative to fudge-stripe cookies for those who prefer a different texture or want to try something new. You could even make your own cookies, just make sure they are sturdy enough to support the toppings! Try my Toffee Pecan Shortbread Cookies, or these Cut Out Sugar Cookies.
- Try other colors of frosting. Try other colors of frosting to make a personalized cute pilgrim hat cookie. Orange frosting or a blend of orange and yellow frosting will work for the fall color palette too. Use melted chocolate instead of frosting if you like!
- Add more decorations. Incorporating more decorations like candy corn or Reese’s Pieces can add more festive flair to these cookies.
More Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
- Baked Pumpkin Donuts
- Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Sour Cream Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Roll
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
- German Apple Cake
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
No Bake Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Ingredients
- 12 fudge-stripe cookies
- â…“ cup yellow frosting
- 12 Reese's miniature cups, unwrapped
- 12 orange mini M&M's
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 on the yellow band of the hat to create the buckle.
- Place the cookies in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to allow the frosting to set before enjoying.
Notes
- Store: Keep your Pilgrim Hat Cookies at room temperature in a single layer in an airtight container for up to a week.
