These little Elf Hat Treats are some of the cutest Christmas no bake treats you’ll make this season! Crunchy Bugles dipped in bright red and green chocolate turn into whimsical little elf hats that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
I love creating fun Christmas desserts like these because they only take a few ingredients and come together in minutes with no baking required. Whether you serve them as a party snack, use them to decorate other desserts, or sprinkle them over holiday snack mix, these cheerful little cones will steal the show. They’re the kind of easy Christmas desserts that make everyone smile.
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Ingredients for Elf Hat Treats
- 3 cups Bugles
- ½ cup red candy melts
- ½ cup green candy melts
- ¼ cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips (for “glue”)
- Coconut oil (to make the candy melts easier to work with)
- Mini marshmallows or white pearl sprinkles (for the pom-poms)
Optional for decorating or serving:
- Holiday sprinkles sanding sugar, or nonpareils
- Mini M&Ms
How to Make Elf Hat Treats
1. Prepare your workspace
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep things neat. Melt the red or green candy melts in separate bowls according to the package directions with a bit of coconut oil. Work with just one color at a time so that your other color doesn’t dry out too quickly.
2. Dip the hats
Hold a Bugle by the wide end and dip it into the melted red or green candy, coating the entire surface. Let the excess drip off, then set it on the parchment paper with the open end facing down. Continue until half the Bugles are coated.
3. Repeat with the other color
Once half of your Bugles are coated in one color, melt the other set of candy melts with some coconut oil and coat the other half. Let your Bugles set before moving on to the next step.
4. Add the pom-pom
For the top of the hat, melt some white candy melts or white chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil. Place your melted white chocolate in a small squeeze bottle or bowl. Dab some melted white chocolate onto a mini marshmallow and attach to the tip of each elf hat. Hold in place for a few seconds until set, then transfer back to the parchment paper.
5. Let the hats set
Allow the Elf Hat Treats to rest at room temperature until fully hardened. I recommend storing them in the fridge after they are done setting, as melting candies tend to get soft again if they get too warm (be careful serving them at parties for this reason, too!) They’re best if kept cold, or served in individual cups or mini cupcake liners.
Pro Tips for Perfect Elf Hat Treats
- Soften candy melts with coconut oil. Add about 1–2 teaspoons of coconut oil per cup of candy melts to make them smoother and easier to work with. The exact amount depends on the brand, so start small and add more as needed until you get a silky texture that coats evenly.
- Use white chocolate like glue. Pour a little melted white candy into a squeeze bottle or small bowl, then use it to attach the marshmallow or candy pearl “pom-poms.” Use a slightly larger dab than you might if it were actual glue and it should hold well for you.
- Switch up the colors. Try pastel shades for a winter wonderland look or stick to red and green for classic elf hats. Any bright, glossy candy melts work beautifully.
- Keep them cool. These treats can get soft if they sit in a warm room too long. Store them in a cool spot (and try to chill before serving) to prevent the chocolate from softening or bleeding color onto your fingers.
- Decorate other desserts with these! These little hats make adorable toppers for cupcakes, cookies, or other Christmas no bake treats like puppy chow or snack mix.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Once the candy coating sets, store your Elf Hat Treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I use different candies?
You can! If you don’t have Bugles, you can use small waffle cones or even mini sugar cones for a larger version of these easy Christmas desserts.
Can I use white chocolate instead of candy melts?
Definitely. White chocolate works great with a few drops of gel food coloring if you’d like brighter shades of red or green.
Can kids help make these?
Yes! These are perfect for little helpers. Just melt the chocolate for them and let them do the dipping and decorating.
These Elf Hat Treats are one of my favorite easy Christmas desserts because they’re simple, colorful, and full of holiday cheer. They’re the perfect no-bake recipe to make with kids, share at holiday parties, or add as a cute edible decoration to other sweets.
Whether you make them for a movie night or as part of a dessert spread, these fun Christmas desserts will add a touch of magic to every bite. Pair them with my Santa Hat Cheesecake Cones or Elf Hat Puppy Chow for a truly festive treat lineup!
Elf Hat Treats
Equipment
- 1 small squeeze top bottle optional
- parchment paper for drying and keeping your work space neat
- various bowls and spoons
Ingredients
- 3 cups Bugles
- 1/2 cup red candy melts
- 1/2 cup green candy melts
- 1/4 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil possibly more if using white chocolate chips instead of candy melts
- 40 mini marshmallows one for each elf hat
Optional Toppings and Decorations
- sprinkles
- mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep things neat.
- Melt the red or green candy melts in separate bowls according to the package directions with a bit of coconut oil. Melt just one color at a time so that your other color doesn’t dry out too quickly.
- Hold a Bugle by the wide end and dip it into the melted red or green candy, coating the entire surface. Let the excess drip off, then set it on the parchment paper with the open end facing down (standing up like a hat). Continue until half the Bugles are coated.
- Once half of your Bugles are coated in one color, melt the other set of candy melts with some coconut oil and coat the other half. Let your Bugles set before moving on to the next step.
- For the top of the hat, melt some white candy melts or white chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil. Place your melted white chocolate in a small squeeze bottle or bowl.
- Dab some melted white chocolate onto a mini marshmallow and attach to the tip of each elf hat (like you would with glue). Hold in place for a few seconds until set, then transfer back to the parchment paper.
- Allow the Elf Hat Treats to rest at room temperature until fully hardened. I recommend storing them in the fridge after they are done setting, as melting candies tend to get soft again if they get too warm (be careful serving them at parties for this reason, too!) They’re best if kept cold, or served in individual cups or mini cupcake liners.
