These adorable Sombrero Sugar Cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat. With a buttery sugar cookie base, vibrant royal icing designs, and a mini candy topper, they bring a burst of color and creativity to any celebration. They’re perfect for a Cinco de Mayo party or just a fun weekend baking project with the family. Each cookie mimics a tiny sombrero with a Reese’s cup forming the crown and icing-dotted edges to resemble traditional Mexican embroidery. Kids and adults alike will love decorating their own edible hats! These cookies are not only delicious but make for an eye-catching dessert table centerpiece too.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1/2 teaspoon almond extract
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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Royal icing (various colors)
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Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
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Mini M&M’s or small round candies
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Piping bags and tips
Directions:
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In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
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Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a round cookie cutter to make cookie bases.
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Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
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Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
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Pipe a circle of royal icing on each cookie and attach a mini Reese’s cup in the center.
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Use colorful royal icing to decorate the sombrero brim and top.
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Add M&M’s or small candies around the brim for added flair.
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Let icing set completely before serving or packaging.
Prep Time: 1 hour (includes chilling) | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
Sombrero Sugar Cookies: A Fun and Festive Treat for Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is a celebration rich in culture, color, and flavor. While traditional Mexican foods like tacos, guacamole, and churros are often the stars of the culinary show, there’s always room for creativity and fun when it comes to dessert. Enter: Sombrero Sugar Cookies a playful, colorful, and utterly delicious addition to any Cinco de Mayo celebration.
These cookies are more than just sweets they’re edible art projects that bring people together in the kitchen. Whether you’re throwing a big fiesta or looking for a fun baking activity with the kids, Sombrero Sugar Cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
A Festive Take on the Classic Sugar Cookie
The base of this treat is a classic sugar cookie soft, buttery, and slightly crisp around the edges. This dependable cookie serves as a delicious and sturdy canvas for decoration. With just the right amount of sweetness and a tender bite, sugar cookies make an ideal base for royal icing and candy embellishments. The combination of mini Reese’s peanut butter cups as the “hat top” and vibrant icing decorations transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Sombrero Sugar Cookies are inspired by the iconic Mexican sombrero, a wide-brimmed hat known for its elaborate decoration and association with celebration. These cookies capture that festive flair, mimicking the sombrero’s colorful patterns and structure using edible elements.
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture, particularly in the United States. From mariachi music and folklórico dancing to colorful papel picado and festive foods, every element of Cinco de Mayo is about joy, resilience, and pride.
Sombrero Sugar Cookies fit right into this celebration. Their vibrant appearance, fun shape, and family-friendly decorating process make them ideal for parties, school events, and community gatherings. They’re not just treats; they’re a delightful way to get people involved in the holiday through hands-on creativity.
An Interactive Dessert: Great for Kids and Parties
One of the best things about Sombrero Sugar Cookies is how interactive they are. Unlike many baked goods that come pre-decorated or packaged, these cookies invite everyone especially kids to participate in the creation process.
Set up a decorating station with different colors of royal icing, bowls of mini M&Ms or sprinkles, and plenty of piping bags or squeeze bottles. Each person can design their own sombrero using different patterns, swirls, dots, and candy combinations. The process is simple enough for children to enjoy but can also be refined for adults who love intricate decorating.
This makes them an excellent group activity for:
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Classroom parties
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Family gatherings
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Cinco de Mayo-themed birthday celebrations
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Baking workshops or cookie exchanges
And because the base cookie can be made ahead of time, it reduces day-of stress while still giving everyone the fun of “hands-on” baking.
Tips for Perfect Sombrero Sugar Cookies
While this recipe is beginner-friendly, a few tips can help you achieve professional-looking (and tasting) results:
1. Chill the Dough
Chilling the sugar cookie dough before rolling it out is essential for sharp edges and easier handling. A cold dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, helping maintain the perfect round shape for sombreros.
2. Use Quality Royal Icing
Royal icing is the key to beautiful decoration. Make sure it’s at the right consistency: thicker for outlining and structural details, thinner for flooding and filling in designs. Use gel food coloring for bold, vibrant hues that don’t water down your icing.
3. Let Icing Dry Before Stacking
Allow decorated cookies to dry completely preferably overnight before stacking or packaging. This prevents smearing and preserves all the fine decorative work.
4. Attach the “Hat Top” Securely
A mini Reese’s cup or similar round candy forms the crown of the sombrero. To make sure it sticks well, use a small dollop of royal icing as “glue.” Press gently into the center of the cookie and let it set before adding surrounding decorations.
Creative Variations and Customization
Sombrero Sugar Cookies are incredibly versatile and can be customized to fit any style, taste, or occasion.
Different Cookie Bases
While the classic sugar cookie is ideal, you can switch things up with:
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Chocolate sugar cookies for a richer base
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Shortbread for a buttery, crumbly texture
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Lemon or almond-flavored doughs for a subtle twist
Candy Alternatives
Not a fan of peanut butter cups? Try using:
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Rolo candies
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Mini marshmallows
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Gumdrops
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Chocolate truffles
These can replicate the hat’s crown while catering to different preferences and allergy considerations.
Themed Color Palettes
While bright, fiesta-themed colors are traditional for Cinco de Mayo, you can create other themes too:
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Pastels for springtime parties
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Red, white, and green to reflect the Mexican flag
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Rainbow colors for a birthday celebration
Serving and Display Ideas
Presentation matters, especially with a dessert as decorative as this. Here are some fun ways to serve and showcase your Sombrero Sugar Cookies:
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Cookie Platter Fiesta: Arrange cookies on a large tray with a backdrop of faux papel picado or confetti.
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Individual Treat Bags: Perfect as party favors, these cookies can be packaged in clear cellophane bags with a festive ribbon.
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Cupcake Toppers: Mini versions of the cookies can be used to top cupcakes, adding height and character.
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Piñata Dessert Table: Combine them with other themed desserts like churros, flan, and tres leches cake to create a complete Cinco de Mayo dessert spread.
A Sweet Tribute to Mexican Culture
While Sombrero Sugar Cookies are a fun, whimsical treat, they also represent a respectful nod to Mexican culture and celebration. Including these cookies in your holiday festivities is a way to engage with traditions in a creative, joyful, and inclusive way especially when made with care and enjoyed together.
This dish allows bakers to honor the spirit of Cinco de Mayo while also bringing people together in the kitchen or around the dessert table. With colorful designs, sweet flavors, and a playful presentation, they represent the vibrant essence of the holiday in every bite.
Conclusion:
At their core, Sombrero Sugar Cookies are about joy joy in baking, in sharing, and in celebrating. They’re more than just sweet treats; they’re a creative experience and a conversation starter, one that adds a personal and colorful touch to your Cinco de Mayo festivities.
So whether you’re a seasoned baker or a first-timer, consider adding these charming cookies to your recipe lineup. With their inviting appearance, delicious flavor, and interactive nature, Sombrero Sugar Cookies are bound to become a festive favorite that returns year after year.