Witch Hat Cookies: The Easiest No Bake Halloween Treat
Some Halloween treats require a free afternoon, a stand mixer and the patience of a saint. These witch hat cookies require a package of fudge stripe cookies, a bag of chocolate kisses and about twenty minutes. No oven. No dough. No crying (from me, anyway).
I first made these for my son’s class party when I had completely forgotten I signed up for a treat until 9 p.m. the night before. Kansas City moms, you know the feeling. They were the first thing gone, and now they are a yearly tradition at our house. The kids love building them, and honestly so do I.
Heads up, some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share things I would actually use or buy for my own family.
Why you will love these witch hat cookies
- No bake. The oven stays off, which matters when it is somehow still 80 degrees in October.
- Kid friendly assembly. Little hands can press the kisses in. You handle the icing.
- Cheap. One batch of 24 costs less than a fancy coffee drink, depending on the store.
- Party proof. They hold up in a container for days, so they are perfect for class parties, trunk or treats and bake sales.
What you need
The full recipe card with amounts is below, but here is the short list:
- Fudge stripe cookies. Flip them chocolate side up. That chocolate bottom is the brim of the hat.
- Milk chocolate kisses. These are the pointy top of the hat. Unwrap them all before you start.
- Orange icing. A tube of decorating icing is easiest. I also included a quick homemade version in the recipe card.
- Sprinkles. Optional, but my kids consider them mandatory.
For tools, you really only need a sheet pan, parchment and something to pipe with. I keep a box of disposable piping bags in my baking drawer because a zip top bag always splits at the worst moment. A nonstick cookie sheet gives you a flat surface to build on, and a wire cooling rack is handy if you want the icing to set without sticking.
How to make witch hat cookies
- Unwrap. Unwrap every chocolate kiss first. Trust me on this one, especially if you have helpers.
- Set up. Line a sheet pan with parchment and lay the cookies chocolate side up.
- Pipe a ring. Pipe a small ring of orange icing around the hole in the middle of each cookie. The icing is the glue.
- Press. Press a kiss straight down into the icing. It should sit up nice and tall.
- Decorate. Pipe a little bow or a few dots at the base of the kiss for the hat band, then sprinkle while the icing is still wet.
- Set. Let them sit for about 10 minutes so the icing firms up before you stack or pack them.
Tips for the cutest witch hats
- Use gel coloring for homemade icing. Liquid food coloring thins it out, and runny icing means slouchy hats.
- Keep the icing thick. It should hold a line. If it spreads, stir in more powdered sugar a spoonful at a time.
- Mix up the hat bands. Purple, green and orange icing together look so fun on a platter.
- Try other bases. Chocolate wafer cookies or chocolate shortbread rounds work if you cannot find fudge stripes.
- Make it a party activity. Set out the cookies, kisses and a few icing colors and let kids build their own. It is a built in craft and a snack.
How to serve and gift them
For a party, I pile them on my ceramic skull cake stand, which makes even store bought cookies look intentional. For class parties and neighbor drop offs, tuck three or four into Halloween treat bags and tie with ribbon. If you need a nut free option for school, read the labels on both the cookies and the kisses, because brands and facilities change.
Make ahead and storage
Witch hat cookies keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Layer them with parchment so the icing does not smudge. I do not recommend the fridge, since the chocolate can bloom and get a little chalky. You can make them up to two days before a party and they will taste just as good.
Fun variations to try
- Peanut butter witch hats. Swap the milk chocolate kisses for peanut butter cups turned upside down on the cookie. Shorter hats, very happy witches.
- Glam witch hats. Use gold sanding sugar on the band instead of sprinkles. Perfect for a grown up Halloween party next to a tray of cocktails.
- Green witch hats. Tint the icing green and add tiny candy eyes on the brim, like a witch is peeking out from under her hat.
- Dark chocolate hats. Use dark chocolate kisses for a moodier, not too sweet version.
- Mini witch hats. Use chocolate chips on mini chocolate cookies for a tiny batch that fits on top of cupcakes.
Witch hat cookie questions
- Can kids make these alone? Kids 4 and up can press the kisses and add sprinkles. I usually handle the piping so the icing actually lands on the cookie.
- How many does one package make? A standard package of fudge stripe cookies makes about 24, which lines up nicely with a bag of kisses.
- Will they melt in a warm car? If it is a warm October day, keep them in a cooler bag for the drive to school or the trunk or treat. Chocolate and Kansas City heat are not friends.
- Can I use frosting from a can? Yes. Stir in a little powdered sugar to thicken it so it holds the kiss in place.
Witch Hat Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Unwrap all of the chocolate kisses first so you are not fumbling with foil once the icing is out.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and set the fudge stripe cookies on it, chocolate side up, so the hole in the center is facing you.
- If making homemade icing, stir the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until thick and smooth, then tint with orange gel coloring. Spoon it into a piping bag or zip top bag and snip a small corner.
- Pipe a small ring of orange icing around the hole in the center of a cookie. Press a chocolate kiss straight down into the icing so it sits like the top of a witch hat.
- Pipe a tiny bow or a few dots of icing at the base of the kiss for the hat band, and add sprinkles while the icing is wet.
- Repeat with the rest of the cookies. Let the icing set at room temperature for about 10 minutes before stacking or packing.
Notes
More Halloween treats
Need more spooky sweets? Try my mummy cookies, these Halloween treats that are cute, not complicated, and my allergy friendly class party snacks. Thirsty? My Halloween punch and drinks pair perfectly. Everything spooky lives on my Halloween hub, and you can jump to Thanksgiving and Christmas from Browse by Holiday.
If you make these, tell me in the comments who built the tallest hat at your house. Mine is always the one who ate half the kisses first.
So glad you are here.
xo, Pam
