Edible Pilgrim Hats for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the perfect time for family fun, and what better way to get your kids excited about the holiday than with these pilgrim hats, which make a delicious and creative treat? These edible Pilgrim Hats are not only a hit with kids, but they’re also a fun activity to do together in the kitchen. Plus, they’re easy to make, require no baking, and can be customized with different flavors and decorations.
Whether you’re homeschooling and looking for a hands-on craft that doubles as a treat, or just need an extra-special dessert for your Thanksgiving celebration, this one is sure to be a winner. Let’s make these adorable Pilgrim Hats that are as sweet as they are festive!
Pilgrim Hat Recipe for Thanksgiving
Ingredients:
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 24 fudge-striped cookies
- 24 Reese’s dark chocolate miniature cups
- Reese’s Pieces (or red, orange, and yellow mini M&Ms) for the buckles
Equipment:
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Piping bag (or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prep Your Workspace: Start by lining a large baking tray or chopping board with parchment paper. This will keep things neat and make it easier to handle your treats later. Set it aside for now.
Melt the Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the peanut butter and white chocolate chips. Do this in short 20-30 second bursts on a low or defrost setting. Stir frequently until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. The key here is to take it slow so it doesn’t burn.
Prepare the Piping Bag: Transfer the melted white chocolate and peanut butter mixture into a piping bag. Twist the bag shut and allow it to cool for a few minutes (about 5 minutes). Once cool to the touch, snip off a tiny piece of the tip. The filling should flow out easily but not too fast when you squeeze.
Assemble the Cookies: Lay the fudge-striped cookies flat on your parchment paper, striped side down. These will be the base of your Pilgrim Hats.
Add the White Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling: Pipe a small circle of the peanut butter and white chocolate mixture into the center of each cookie, roughly the size of a Reese’s miniature cup. This will help hold the “hat” together.
Create the Pilgrim Hat: Gently place a Reese’s miniature cup, upside down (large side facing down), onto the center of each cookie. Press it down slightly so that the white chocolate peanut butter filling oozes out from the sides, creating a “band” around the bottom of the cup.
Make the Buckle: This is where the kids can get creative! Place a Reese’s piece (or mini M&M) in the center of the white chocolate peanut butter “band” to represent the Pilgrim hat’s buckle. You can use red, orange, or yellow M&Ms for a festive touch.
Let Them Set: Allow the Pilgrim Hats to set completely before serving. You can speed up this process by placing them in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. The white chocolate peanut butter will harden and help the hats keep their shape.
Tips for Customizing Your Pilgrim Hats:
- Different Cookies: If you want to switch things up, try using a different cookie as the base, like thin mint cookies or even graham crackers. Just make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold the Reese’s cup.
- Alternate Fillings: Instead of making the white chocolate and peanut butter filling, you can use colored frosting or melt plain chocolate chips or candy melts. The frosting also gives a fun, colorful twist to the hat!
- Chocolate Alternatives: If Reese’s cups aren’t your thing, you can easily substitute with milk or dark chocolate mini cups, or even Rolos for a caramel-filled option.
- Buckles: Get creative with your buckles! If you prefer, you can pipe frosting or melted candy melts to create the buckle design instead of using Reese’s pieces or M&Ms. This is a great way to add a personal touch or make the hats more unique.
Storage and Leftover Tips:
These Pilgrim Hats are perfect for making ahead of time and storing for later. If you have leftovers (though we bet you won’t!), store them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks. You can also refrigerate them to keep them fresh for up to 3 weeks.
Why This Recipe Is Perfect for Homeschool Families
This Pilgrim Hat activity is not only a fun Thanksgiving activity but also a great opportunity for kids to practice various skills in the kitchen. Here are a few benefits:
- Math & Measurement: Measuring ingredients and dividing up the work can help reinforce math concepts.
- Motor Skills: Squeezing the piping bag and assembling the hats helps build fine motor skills.
- Creativity: Designing and decorating the hats offers an outlet for creative expression, especially when it comes to choosing M&M colors or using different cookies.
- Teamwork: This is a hands-on project that can be easily done together, fostering teamwork and cooperation between siblings or friends.
So this Thanksgiving, why not let the kids take the lead on this fun dessert? Not only will they love getting their hands involved, but they’ll be thrilled to see their hard work come to life as delicious, edible Pilgrim Hats!
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Edible Pilgrim Hats for Thanksgiving
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 24 fudge striped cookies
- 24 Reese’s dark chocolate miniature cups
- Red, orange, and yellow mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Line a baking tray or cutting board with parchment paper.
- Melt the peanut butter and white chocolate chips in the microwave on low. Stir often, until smooth.
- Transfer into a piping bag and twist shut. The piping bag should be cool to the touch when ready to use.
- Place the fudge-striped cookie on the tray, striped side down.
- Pipe the melted mixture on the centers of the cookies.
- Add the miniature peanut butter cup on top, upside down. Gently press so the mixture creates a band on the bottom.
- Place a Reese’s piece on the band to make a buckle.
- Allow to set completely before serving.
Happy Thanksgiving, and you might want to try these other Thanksgiving recipes!
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