This Memorial Day, honor our nation's fallen heroes with these touching and delicious Dog Tag Cookies. This unique Memorial Day cookie recipe allows you to create edible tributes that are both meaningful and delectable.
My step-by-step guide will show you how to craft these patriotic treats, perfect for Memorial Day gatherings or as a centerpiece for your holiday table. These customizable cookies offer a special way to remember and pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Key features of this Memorial Day cookie recipe:
- Realistic dog tag design
- Customizable with names or messages
- Silver luster dust for an authentic look
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Great for Memorial Day events or family gatherings
Whether you're a seasoned baker or trying your hand at decorated cookies for the first time, this recipe is accessible.
Each realistic-looking dog tag cookie can be personalized in honor of a family member or friend who died serving our country for Memorial Day or for a member of the military for Veteran's Day.
Armed Forces Dog Tag Cookies
Ingredients
1 batch of your favorite cut-out sugar cookie recipe
flour to dust your cutting board
dark modeling chocolate (find recipe, here)
corn syrup or frosting to attach the modeling chocolate to the cookies
silver luster dust - Be sure to use FDA-approved edible luster dust.
vodka or vanilla extract
melted dark chocolate (an ounce is enough for several dozen cookies)
Supplies
Custom Cookie Cutter Kit or use a knife
cutting board
rolling pin
small round plunger cutter, a straw, or a round pastry tip
food use only paint brush
Items used to create this project are available on Amazon.com. I earn a small commission when you use the links on this page to make a purchase at no extra cost to you.
Make Your Own Cookie Cutter...Shop on Amazon 
Walnut Hollow Clay Embossin...Shop on Amazon 
Walnut Hollow Clay Text Emb...Shop on Amazon
Instructions
Create a dog-tag cookie cutter.
If using a cookie cutter-making kit, create your own dog tag-shaped cookie cutter. If not, just draw a template, cut out around it, and use it and a knife to cut out your cookies and modeling chocolate.
I love these cookie cutter crafting kits and have used mine so often that I've had to order refill aluminum strips several times. There are directions for use in the kit.
NOTE: Before you cut your template, be sure the cookies will be large enough for your personalization. If using letter stamps set out the longest word you plan to use and make sure it fits.
Cut out dog-tag cookies.
Flour your cutting board, roll out dough to the desired thickness, and cut out cookies using a dog tag cookie cutter or knife.
Use a small round plunger cutter, a straw, or a round pastry tip to cut out one hole at one end of each dog-tag cookie.
Bake according to recipe instructions. I baked mine at 350 for about 10 minutes.
Finish by adding modeling chocolate and luster dust.
Roll out dark modeling chocolate. To easily roll out modeling chocolate, place it inside a large zip-top bag, and roll until thin. Cut out three sides of the zip-top bag and carefully peel off the modeling chocolate.
Cut using a dog tag cutter or knife and template. Brush cookies lightly with corn syrup or frosting, attach modeling chocolate, press down to secure, and cut out the hole using a plunger cutter.
Pour 1 teaspoon vodka or vanilla extract into a small bowl, add about ¼ teaspoon silver luster dust, and stir. Add more dust or liquid as needed until you have a nice smooth paste. Brush luster dust over cookies. Allow to dry.
Personalize the cookies using alphabet stamps.
Personalize cookies by pressing letter stamps into the modeling chocolate or by writing with food coloring markers.
Pinch off tiny pieces of dark modeling chocolate and roll them into balls for the chain. Roll enough to create all your chains. Attach the tiny balls to each other and to the dog-tag cookies using melted chocolate. Allow to dry. Brush over the chains with the wet luster dust.
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to a week. The chains will be very fragile, so handle them with care.
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Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com says
How did I miss these?? Such a great idea Beth!!
Elizabeth Oyer says
Hello! My youth group was going to make these for our local VFW this Memorial Day. Do you think writing with toothpicks on the tags would work? We need to make them a little faster and with less skilled "hands" than what you've done. 🙂
beth says
Hi Elizabeth,
Using a toothpick could work, but it will cut through the modeling chocolate by kind of tearing it so you'll end up with scraggly edges. I really do suggest using the stamps. Once you get the words set up in the plastic holders you don't have to change them and it's so easy to just press them onto the modeling chocolate. You can also use rubber stamps, if you can find anything appropriate.
Have fun!
MissCandiquik says
you rock 🙂
Within the Kitchen says
Simply amazed by tour talent.
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet says
Nicely done, the silver luster on the modeling chocolate looks really effective.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Thanks, Linda. I was amazed when I looked at the pictures, at just how real these look. I love luster dust and am using it again today!
Tiffany@Fizzy Party! says
I am sorry for your losses and hope that you have many family and friends to help you through.
Carla's wedding story was so touching and it's wonderful that with this post you could bring back a touching moment for her.
These cookies are amazing and I will be making these next year for Memorial Day as part of my BBQ get together. It will be a touching reminder of what the day truly means.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Thank you for your kinds words, Tiffany.
I think it is wonderful to be able to create something that touches people's hearts and brings up memories. That has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of baking and candy making.
I hope you had a nice Memorial Day.
Laura Perry says
Wow, awesome! A great tribute. I look forward to making them. 🙂
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Thank you, Laura.
Anonymous says
First of all - my sincere sympathy for having lost 2 family members in the last month. Such heartbreak to lose one, but 2 so close together is such a tragedy for a family.
Carla wearing her dad's dog tags pinned to her wedding dress so he could, in essence, walk her down the aisle, was heartwarming. Her family will remember that forever. Other wedding day details will fade over the years, but not that one.
Along that same vein, at weddings, landmark birthdays and funerals when photos are normally displayed, these dog tag cookies could be laid right next to the picture frames for a unique way to memorialize one's time in the service.
QUESTION: When using the clay embossing letters, how is it that the lettering is darker than the outer part of the modeling chocolate? With the dog tags brushed in silver - that I understand because the letter will push through the silver & into the chocolate, but on your fudge rocks - did you color in the lettering?
QUESTION: Clay embossing set - 1 set is $20 and the 2 others are $10 (same company). What is the feature of the $20 set that would entice customers to buy it vs the $10 set? They all looked to be the same type face (perhaps Victorian?).
QUESTION: What is the height of the letters?
You know who this is from - your follower with all the questions 🙂 🙂 Hey - interest in your ideas means you've stimulated us to think and that's a good thing.
Tavette
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
I'm glad you are interested enough to ask questions. Keep 'em comin!
When I pushed the letters into these cookies, you are seeing the dark modeling chocolate. I liked that effect. At first I used white modeling chocolate, but the tags were too light and I didn't see the lettering very well. When I press the letters into the cookies 'n cream fudge rocks you are just seeing a shadow. I did not color them at all, but the letters really show up well.
Two of the embossing sets only have letters. The more expensive set also has some metal cutters and some metal stamps. I like the style of letters in this set the best, they are what I used for this project.
The letters are about 1/4" in height. They are pretty small, but smaller letters would have been even better for this project. It was a challenge to get the long words onto these cookies.
Thanks for inquiring and have a nice Memorial Day weekend.
traci's mixed bag says
You are so inventive. I love it!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Thank you:)
Kalamity Kelli says
Who knew you could make your own cookie cutter?!?! These are fantastic (as usual) and I bet the taste as good as they look!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
I've made my own cutters to create so many things for customers, they are great. I'll try to do a detailed tutorial sometime soon.
Bethany says
These are amazing! So creative!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Thanks, Bethany.
Angela says
This is such a great idea--amazed at your creativity, as always.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Thank you, Angela:)
Traci says
Out of curiosity, what letter stamper are you using? I've been wanting to find one, but haven't had much luck searching.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
I used the Walnut Hollow Clay Embossing Set. It has the letters along with some metal cutters and some small metal stamps. I really like the style of the letters. Here's the link -> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L4TC8S/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003L4TC8S&linkCode=as2&tag=hungryh-20
Traci says
Thanks! Gonna add that to my never ending wish list 😉
Chris Coyle says
I don't understand how the chain holds together, but what a clever idea!! Nicely done. 🙂
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
I used melted chocolate as glue to hold the pieces of the chain together and to attach it to the cookie. I've picked these up and moved them around several times to take pictures and the chains are still intact. I will admit that making the chains took quite a bit of time, so I wont be putting chains on all my cookies.
carla says
you are constantly innovating and creating such fantastic and unusual things. amazing. i lost my WWII dad before becoming engaged. i pinned his dog tags inside my wedding gown so a part of him could walk me down the aisle. dog tags are such a huge part of one's military service. thank you for this unique creation. it is truly inspired.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer says
Your story really touched my heart. You found an amazing way to honor your father and have him walk beside you on such an important day. These dog tags were created with someone like you in mind and I'm glad you like them.