Sombrero Sugar Cookies

The Sombrero Sugar Cookies are a delightful way to add a burst of fun and creativity to your Cinco de Mayo celebration. With a buttery sugar cookie base, a sweet chocolate hat, and colorful sprinkles to top it off, these cookies are a party on a plate. Kids and adults alike will love decorating and eating them!

These cookies are not just cute—they’re incredibly easy to make and perfect for group activities, classroom treats, or party favors. They bring a pop of color to your dessert spread and pair wonderfully with a Mexican-inspired menu. Whether you make them in advance or turn the decorating into a fun party activity, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 container vanilla frosting

• 1 package mini peanut butter cups (unwrapped)

• Assorted sprinkles (rainbow, nonpareils, or festive colors)

• Gel food coloring (optional)

• Small piping bag or Ziploc bag for decorating

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until dough forms.

5. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and flatten slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.

6. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

7. Once cookies are cooled, pipe a small ring of frosting in the center of each cookie and place an upside-down mini peanut butter cup on top to create the sombrero shape.

8. Use frosting to pipe a decorative brim around the base of the peanut butter cup and add sprinkles to embellish.

9. Optional: Tint frosting with gel food coloring for added festive flair.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes

Kcal: 220 kcal per cookie | Servings: 24 cookies

A Sweet and Festive Favorite: Sombrero Sugar Cookies

Sombrero Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of playful design and delightful flavor. Created with simple sugar cookie dough, topped with a mini peanut butter cup, and decorated with colorful frosting and sprinkles, these cookies are a hit at any festive gathering—especially during Cinco de Mayo celebrations. They’re more than just a treat; they’re a party on a plate.

These cookies don’t just taste amazing—they look the part too. Shaped like traditional Mexican sombreros, they bring a festive flair to your dessert table. Whether you’re planning a classroom celebration, a themed birthday, or a holiday fiesta, these cookies are the perfect addition. Their whimsical appearance makes them especially popular with children, and they offer a fun, hands-on activity for little bakers to enjoy.

The Perfect Dessert for Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. On this day, families gather to enjoy traditional food, music, dance, and of course—desserts. Sombrero Sugar Cookies fit right in with the festive theme. Their bright colors and familiar shape make them instantly appealing.

While many traditional Mexican desserts are passed down through generations, these cookies offer a modern, kid-friendly twist. They don’t require elaborate tools or ingredients, making them ideal for busy home bakers looking to add something special to their celebration.

Fun for the Whole Family

One of the best aspects of this recipe is how interactive it is. These cookies aren’t just made—they’re assembled and decorated. That means kids can join in the fun, from mixing the dough to placing the peanut butter cup “hat” on top and adding sprinkles. It’s a hands-on way to teach baking skills while letting their creativity shine.

Parents love how forgiving the recipe is. Even if the frosting isn’t perfect or the sprinkles are scattered everywhere, the cookies still look festive and taste delicious. This makes it a great choice for family baking nights, school parties, or bake sales. Plus, the decorating part can double as a craft-like activity at birthday parties or classroom events.

Easy to Customize and Make Ahead

Another great feature of Sombrero Sugar Cookies is how easy they are to customize. You can use store-bought sugar cookie dough to save time or add flavors like almond or citrus zest to the homemade dough for a more sophisticated twist. The frosting can be tinted with gel food coloring to match your party theme—think pinks and pastels for a girl’s party, or bold reds, greens, and yellows for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

They also store well, which is a huge win for busy hosts. You can bake the cookies a day or two in advance and decorate them closer to serving time. Or, go ahead and decorate them completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This flexibility makes them a smart choice for party planning.

The Visual Appeal: A Cookie That Pops

Visually, Sombrero Sugar Cookies are showstoppers. They bring an immediate pop of color and whimsy to your dessert table. When placed on a festive plate or tiered tray, they quickly become a centerpiece. That eye-catching quality also makes them Instagram-worthy, perfect for anyone wanting to share their kitchen creations on social media.

The use of a peanut butter cup to create the sombrero “crown” is clever, and it adds a second layer of flavor and texture to the cookie. The rich, creamy chocolate contrasts with the crisp, buttery cookie base, and the frosting ties it all together. Sprinkles on top add texture, crunch, and visual flair—especially when mixed colors are used.

Educational and Cultural Tie-In for Kids

These cookies also present a creative opportunity to educate kids about Mexican culture and the meaning behind Cinco de Mayo. You can use the baking process to explain why the holiday is celebrated and explore Mexican food traditions. While the cookies themselves aren’t traditional, they’re inspired by a recognizable cultural symbol—the sombrero—and that opens the door to further exploration.

For classroom parties, combining a cultural lesson with a cookie decorating activity keeps students engaged while learning. Teachers and parents alike will appreciate a fun way to blend education with celebration.

Ideal for Parties and Large Batches

Sombrero Sugar Cookies are a breeze to multiply. Whether you’re baking for a small gathering or a large party, the recipe scales well. You can double or triple the batch with little effort, and since the cookies aren’t overly delicate, they transport easily. This makes them a go-to choice for school events, potlucks, bake sales, or church gatherings.

You can even turn the decorating process into an activity station. Set up a table with pre-baked cookies, frosting bags, sprinkles, and candies, and let guests decorate their own. It’s a fun icebreaker and a great way to entertain kids and adults alike.

Allergy-Friendly and Dietary Tips

These cookies are naturally nutty with the use of peanut butter cups, but they can be easily modified for those with allergies. Simply substitute nut-free chocolate candies or use a chocolate truffle instead. The sugar cookie base is already vegetarian, and with a few simple swaps—like vegan butter and egg alternatives—they can easily be made dairy- and egg-free.

Want a gluten-free version? Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the dough. The key is to keep the fun and festive spirit while adapting the recipe to meet your guests’ dietary needs.

Tips for the Best Results

• Chill the dough before baking to prevent spreading and ensure a thicker, sturdier base.

• Let cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid melted frosting mishaps.

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without watering down your frosting.

• Choose quality sprinkles—some melt or bleed color, so stick with nonpareils or sanding sugars for the best results.

• Make a test batch if baking for a crowd to perfect your frosting consistency and decorating technique.

Final Thoughts and Presentation Tips

When serving, consider arranging the cookies on a colorful platter with Mexican-inspired decorations like tissue paper flowers, mini piñatas, or confetti. You can also package them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for take-home treats or party favors.

Sombrero Sugar Cookies don’t need to compete with heavy desserts. They’re light, sweet, and just the right size. Perfect with a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or a chilled glass of horchata.

Conclusion

Sombrero Sugar Cookies are much more than a festive treat—they’re a joyful experience. With a simple sugar cookie base, a clever chocolate topping, and room for colorful creativity, these cookies capture the spirit of celebration. Whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, planning a classroom party, or just want to bring some cheer to your kitchen, these cookies check all the boxes: fun, flavorful, and family-friendly.

Their charm lies not just in how they taste, but in how they bring people together—kids and adults, bakers and decorators, family and friends. They’re the kind of treat that invites smiles, sparks conversation, and leaves sweet memories long after the last crumb is gone.