Fill 3-D grad cap cookies with candies then surprise your graduate with this special treat.
These Candy Filled Chocolate Graduation Cap Cookies are fun to make and can be filled with your graduate's favorite candy or snack.
Graduation season is upon us. It's time to make some special desserts that will get an A+ with your graduate.
These candy-filled cookies are sure to impress.
I had so much fun creating these clever graduation cookies. My experimentation with the recipe was quick and easy, I got the result I had hoped for in my first attempt. That doesn't always happen, so I was thrilled.
See more graduation party recipes, here.
Each three-dimensional grad cap piñata cookie is created by baking a batch of chocolate cookies over a cake ball pan. Additional round and square cookies are then attached to the domed cookie to create the cap.
You'll fill the inside of the grad cap cookie with candies, attach the cookies together, then add a tassel on top.
They do take a bit of time to make, but the reaction you will get from family and friends is totally worth the effort.
NOTE: I opted to make traditional black graduation caps using chocolate cookie dough, but if you prefer, you could create your caps in school colors. Just make a plain cut-out cookie recipe and add color to the dough. You can color the modeling chocolate tassels, as well.
Chocolate Graduation Cap Cookies
(makes 12)
Ingredients:
(chocolate cookie recipe adapted from Lili Loa)
- butter
- granulated sugar
- egg
- vanilla
- cocoa powder
- baking powder
- salt
- flour
- ¼ batch of white modeling chocolate, recipe here
- chocolate frosting
- small candies like M&M Mini's
Supplies:
- parchment paper
- rolling pin
- 2 ¼ inch round cookie cutters
- 2 ½ inch square cookie cutters
- optional: clay extruder or new garlic press
Instructions:
Roll out dough.
- Make chocolate cookie dough using the recipe below.
- Roll out the dough in between two sheets of parchment paper. You'll want the dough to be about ⅛th of an inch thick.
Cut dough squares and circles.
- Cut out twelve 2 ¼ inch circles and twelve 2 ½ inch squares, re-rolling dough as needed.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely.
Mold dough into domes.
- Roll out the remaining dough and cut twelve more circles.
- Cut a pie piece out of each circle of dough.
- Turn mini muffin tin upside down.
- Set a round of dough over a muffin cup, press it down, wrapping it around the cup.
- Cut off any excess dough at the cut and press the seam together.
- Repeat, creating a total of 12 cookie cups.
Freeze.
- Freeze cookie cups for 15 minutes, to ensure they will hold their shape well.
Bake
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. As soon as you remove the cookie cups from the oven, press down on the top of the cookie cups to create a flat top.
- Allow cookies to cool completely, then pull up on them and remove them from the muffin tin.
Assemble the chocolate cookie graduation cups.
- Fill cookie cups with candies.
- Pipe a thin line of chocolate frosting around the edge of the cup.
- Press one round cookie onto the cookie cup and set it on the counter, flat cookie side down.
- Pipe a small amount of chocolate frosting on the top of the cookie cup. Press one chocolate cookie square on top, creating the shape of a graduation cap.
- Allow the cookies to dry for at least 15 minutes so that all the pieces stay together.
Make modeling chocolate tassels.
I prefer to use modeling chocolate to decorate my treats. I think it tastes better than fondant and it's easy to make. See the white modeling chocolate recipe, here.
If you do use fondant, I suggest adding some tylose powder to it so that it will firm up.
- Knead a small amount of white modeling chocolate and roll it into a thin log.
- Insert the log into a clay extruder fitted with a multi-hole plate.
- Press the modeling chocolate through the extruder, creating tassels.
- Cut the tassels about 1 ½ inches long. You can also use a new garlic press or just roll very thin logs of the modeling chocolate by hand.
- Pipe a small dab of chocolate frosting in the center of the square cookie on your graduation cap.
- Press the tassels onto the frosting.
- Pinch off a pea-size piece of modeling chocolate, roll it into a ball, flatten it into a disc, and press it down onto the center of the cookie on top of the tassels.
Items used to create this project are available on Amazon.com. I earn a small commission when you use the links below at no extra cost to you.)
Printable Recipe
Three-dimensional chocolate graduation cap-shaped cookies can be filled with your favorite candies.
- 10 tablespoons butter softened slightly
- ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cup flour
- 4 ounces white modeling chocolate or fondant
- ½ -¾ cup chocolate frosting
- 12 scoops about a tablespoon each of small candies like M&M Mini's
-
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar.
-
Cream until light and fluffy.
-
Mix in eggs and vanilla.
-
Combine cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
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Stir into wet ingredients.
-
Add flour and mix just until incorporated.
-
Roll out the dough in between two sheets of parchment paper. You'll want the dough to be about ⅛th of an inch thick.
-
Cut out twelve 2 ¼ inch circles and twelve 2 ½ inch squares, re-rolling dough as needed.
-
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes.
-
Allow to cool completely.
-
Roll out the remaining dough and cut twelve more circles.
-
Cut a pie piece out of each circle of dough.
-
Turn mini muffin tin upside down.
-
Set a round of dough over a muffin cup, press it down, wrapping it around the cup.
-
Cut off any excess dough at the cut and press the seam together.
-
Repeat, creating a total of 12 cookie cups.
-
Freeze cookie cups for 15 minutes, to ensure they will hold their shape well.
-
Bake for 8-10 minutes. As soon as you remove the cookie cups from the oven, press down on the top of the cookie cups to create a flat top.
-
Allow cookies to cool completely, then pull up on them and remove them from the muffin tin.
-
Fill cookie cups with candies.
-
Pipe a thin line of chocolate frosting around the edge of the cup.
-
Press one round cookie onto the cookie cup and set it on the counter, flat cookie side down.
-
Pipe a small amount of chocolate frosting on the top of the cookie cup. Press one chocolate cookie square on top, creating the shape of a graduation cap.
-
Allow the cookies to dry for at least 15 minutes so that all the pieces stay together.
-
Knead a small amount of white modeling chocolate and roll it into a thin log.
-
Insert the log into a clay extruder fitted with a multi-hole plate.
-
Press the modeling chocolate through the extruder, creating tassels.
-
Cut the tassels about 1 ½ inches long. You can also use a new garlic press or just roll very thin logs of the modeling chocolate by hand.
-
Pipe a small dab of chocolate frosting in the center of the square cookie on your graduation cap.
-
Press the tassels onto the frosting.
-
Pinch off a pea-size piece of modeling chocolate, roll it into a ball, flatten it into a disc, and press it down onto the center of the cookie on top of the tassels.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Each cookie can be served as dessert or wrapped in cellophane bags and used as party favors or graduation gifts.
- The calories listed are for the cookie only and are an estimate based on the ingredients I used to make the grad cap cookies.
This recipe was originally published on May 14, 2013.
More graduation party recipes.
You might also like these other graduation party recipes...
Smiley Face Graduation Cookies
Peanut Butter Fudge-filled Chocolate Grad Caps
Graduation Pretzel Pops topped with modeling chocolate grad caps
Did you make this recipe or do you just think it is super cute? Let me know by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. If you love the recipe, please give it a 5-star rating.
I love making fun food for parties and special occasions and sharing my creative ideas with you.
If you make this recipe and share it online be sure to link back to this post.
Thanks and have a sweet day! -
Beth
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Stephanie
How many does this recipe make?
Beth
The recipe makes 12.
Anonymous
Super cute idea. I did make the cookies and there were....ok. A very strong cocoa flaver and very crispy, although they have actually softened in the last day or two. I'm going to try again with a chocolate sugar cookie recipie. The cookies would be very good as for ice cream sandwhichs though.
beth
I needed to use a chocolate cookie that didn't spread and this one from Lila Loa is great in that respect. I really like the flavor, but she does use this recipe for her decorated cookies so she adds a sweet royal icing on top of them. If you use a sugar cookie recipe, just be sure it isn't one that will spread a lot.
Anonymous
I tried this and i am honestly so disappointed. The cookie mixture once I finished was too runny to roll, so I had to add more flour and cocoa powder one tiny tea spoon at a time. I made the squares and circles easily, but when it came to the cups it just started cracking. When I tasted the cookies that I had cooked (the squares and circles) they were disgusting! Then, after pulling the cups out, they cracked completely which is what I was expecting.
0/10
I am left out of pocket and with nothing to give my brother when he comes home from his graduation tomorrow!
beth
I am so sorry to hear that your cookies didn't turn out. I've used this chocolate cookie recipe, which was only slightly adapted from LilaLoa's recipe, to make these graduation cap cookies three times and each time they tasted great and had a nice consistency.
Unfortunately there are factors that can effect the outcome of a cookie recipe and not being there with you, I have no way to tell you what might have gone wrong. I wish I could have been with you in order to help.
Merve Dikme
Wow thats looks great. I am just wondering how they taste? a lot like buttercream I guess. Might be a little too sweet. Do you have any ideas on a more light version of this? Thanks for the idea and the recipe.
beth
Thanks, Merve. Actually the chocolate cookie has a pretty strong cocoa flavor and isn't terribly sweet. You could fill them with anything you'd like. Peanuts could balance out the sweetness. Of course, that doesn't make it lighter. I don't really have a suggestion to make them lighter, other than find a healthier cut out cookie recipe and use it.
Merve Dikme
Wow thats looks great. I am just wondering how they taste? a lot like buttercream I guess. Might be a little too sweet. Do you have any ideas on a more light version of this? Thanks for the idea and the recipe.
Pint Sized Baker
I love ALL your graduation treats! I've pinned them ALL 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing at Two Cup Tuesday on Pint Sized Baker.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Thanks for the pins! I'm glad you like all the ideas.
megan
sooo darn cute!!!
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com
Such a clever idea!!
Cathy
Super cute!
This looks great!
I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight.
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/tgif-link-party-3.html
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Best graduation cookies ever Beth! SO-MUCH-FUN!
Makememycake
Beth Sooooo cute!!! fantastic idea now that graduations are coming!! I love your blog, the projects that you make are brilliant. I use to make a lot of cakes, cupcakes, etc., but cookies uffff its something that I always have a great excuse for not do it, but when I see something so cute as this one I change my mind. I will give a try....Congratulations!!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Thank you so much for your kind words. I love baking just about anything, but don't often ice decorations onto cookies. I love that these are so decorated, yet I didn't have to pipe on any royal icing. They were pretty easy to make. I do hope you give them a try!
Just Jaime
I love this idea! Pinning for my husband's graduation next year!
Project Denneler
SO AWESOME! I love these Beth!
...and this is coming from the original Piñata Cookie Lady. (Maybe "anonymous" above needs some cookies to go with her sour milk.) I totally agree with you. We share our creative ideas and actually hope and encourage others to take it to the next level. I never would have thought to do this in a million years. I love your twist on putting a surprise inside of a dessert. Thanks for sharing and creating. You are fabulous.
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Thanks so much for your support, Sandra:) I feel those of us who are blogging about edible crafts and artistic food are pushing each other to create even more amazing projects and I feel it's impossible not to take a great idea and change it up a bit adding our own unique twist to it. Other bloggers ideas fuels my creativity and you certainly have inspired me beyond belief!
The Partiologist
You are always full of the cutest ideas! This is one graduation cap that no one would toss in the air! If they did, I would run to find it! 🙂
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Me too!
The Bearfoot Baker
Adorable! Love the idea of using the mini muffin tins. You are brilliant my friend!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
That's so sweet, thanks!
Anonymous
You should put smarties inside, well because its full of smarts 🙂
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
I love that idea!!!!! You are so smart:)
Anonymous
Its a shame no one has any original ideas anymore.
Someone makes a candy filled pinata cookie and now EVERY cookie is a version of that .
cute but done to death
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
I am of a different opinion. I think about it this way, one person created the first cake, now there are hundreds of different recipes. Someone used fondant for the first time to cover a cake, now there are millions of amazingly decorated cakes. A buckeye (peanut butter fudge ball) stuffed inside a Pillsbury Cookie won a million dollars in the Pillsbury Bake Off - was she the first person to stuff a cookie, I doubt it, but the judges felt her twist on the idea was worthy of the grand prize.
I personally love the idea of adding candy inside cookies, cakes, and chocolates and will continue to create new concepts based on that first candy filled treat.
I feel my blog is filled with original and creative ideas and hope you take time to look around my Recipes Page to see all the fun food I've created.
Carrie Johns
Neat ideas! I LoVe your chicken cheese and broccoli skulls. Beth your treats look amazing! I am not sure I could complete them and have them look like yours do. I feel they would take a professional bakery chef as yourself to make properly. I think for grad night I will be making Hungry Happenings pinata caps because they are darling and easy to make. Well they look much easier to make than many of your recipes and I am looking for fast, simple recipes that look professional and don't keep me in the kitchen because time is precious. I'll be trying to recreate those chicken filled skulls for Autumn very soon. 🙂
Beth
I do hope you give some of my recipes a try. Some are more challenging that others, that is for sure. But I do my best to give you lots of tips and tricks within my tutorials so that you can be successful making them at home. I hope your graduation caps turn out great! Have fun making them and enjoy sharing them with others. 🙂
bibliobethica
I live in a part of the world where pinata cookies are still an original idea. I have never once seen them at parties or anywhere else. I love this idea for graduation! I'm a teacher and this would be such a cute gift to give seniors on their last day!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
You are a cool teacher to even think about giving a gift to the seniors. I'm sure they'd love it!!!!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
I love surprises inside! So very cute 🙂
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Me too!
Lisa@hooplapalooza
oh these are my kinda graduation cookies! awesome as always Beth! 🙂
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Thanks, Lisa.
Anonymous
Very clever - as always. Have seen lots of graduation caps on the internet, but none with candy inside.
My 1st thought was to put a note by the cookie tray advising people there's a surprise inside so people know to turn them up-side-down when eating them (to avoid spillage of the M&M's).
Coloring them in school colors, as you suggested, is a great idea to personalize them.
Don't have a graduate - no problem. Your instructions for the cap can be used for other holidays as well. Easter would be good - it can be sitting at the feet of a bunny rabbit and filled with jelly beans.
Or it can be filled with edible grass or colored coconut.....add a small bird. Or...use it as a Pot of Gold on St. Patty's Day, etc. etc.
Thanks for so many ideas all rolled into one 🙂
Tavette
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
I have really had fun making pinata style cookies filled with candies. I am sure you will see many more here in the future. I recently even made a pinata cake which I'll be sharing soon.