Pilgrim Hat Cookies: A Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Treat for Kids
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food! While the turkey and stuffing take center stage, there’s always room for a fun dessert that the little ones can help create. Enter Pilgrim Hat Cookies—a whimsical, easy-to-make treat that will have your kids giggling with excitement and proud of their culinary creation!
What Are Pilgrim Hat Cookies?
Pilgrim Hat Cookies are a playful nod to the traditional hats worn by the early settlers. Made with simple ingredients like cookies, chocolate, and candy, these treats are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. They’re perfect for adding a touch of Thanksgiving charm to your dessert table, and the best part? They require no baking, making them an ideal project for kids of all ages.

The Story Behind the Pilgrim Hat
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s set the scene with a little story to get everyone in the Thanksgiving spirit:
Long ago, in a land far away, a group of Pilgrims set sail on a ship called the Mayflower. They were searching for a new home where they could live in peace and grow their own food. After a long and challenging journey, they finally arrived at a place that would become their new home—America!

The Pilgrims were thankful for the land and the help they received from the Native Americans, who taught them how to grow crops like corn. To show their gratitude, they all gathered together for a big feast, which we now celebrate as Thanksgiving.
To honor the Pilgrims and their journey, we’re going to make a special treat that looks just like the hats they wore. So, put on your chef’s hat (or Pilgrim hat!) and let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 package of fudge-striped cookies (Make sure the stripes are on the bottom, with the chocolate side facing up.)
- 1 bag of chocolate-covered marshmallows (Or regular marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate.)
- 1 tube of yellow icing (For the hat’s buckle.)
- 1 bag of mini peanut butter cups (Optional, for an extra layer of deliciousness!)
How to Make Pilgrim Hat Cookies:
Prepare Your Workspace:
Lay out some parchment paper or a clean surface where you can assemble your hats. Make sure your hands are clean—this is a hands-on project!
Start with the Cookie Base:
Place the fudge-striped cookies chocolate-side up on your workspace. These will be the brims of your Pilgrim hats.
Add the Marshmallow:
Take a chocolate-covered marshmallow and place it in the center of each cookie. Press down gently to make sure it sticks. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add a mini peanut butter cup on top of the marshmallow for a double-decker hat!
Make It Shine:
Using the yellow icing, pipe a square buckle onto the front of the marshmallow. This is the finishing touch that makes your cookies look just like Pilgrim hats.
Let Them Set:
Allow the icing to set for a few minutes. You can even pop them in the fridge for a bit to help the chocolate harden.
Show Them Off:
Once the icing is set, your Pilgrim Hat Cookies are ready to be displayed—and devoured! Arrange them on a festive platter and watch as everyone, young and old, marvels at your creative and tasty masterpiece.
A Fun Twist
If you want to add a little extra fun, you can turn the Pilgrim Hat Cookie assembly into a friendly competition. See who can decorate the most hats in a set amount of time or who can come up with the most creative designs using different colored icings and candies. It’s a great way to keep the kids entertained while the adults finish up with Thanksgiving dinner preparations.
Creating Sweet Thanksgiving Memories with Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Pilgrim Hat Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a way to involve your kids in the Thanksgiving celebration. As they create these edible hats, they’ll be making memories that will last long after the cookies are gone. So, gather your little chefs, put on some festive music, and enjoy this fun, family-friendly activity. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy baking!
Thanksgiving Trivia
Did you know? The Pilgrims didn’t actually wear buckles on their hats! That detail was added later by artists. But don’t worry—your Pilgrim Hat Cookies will still be a hit, buckle and all!