Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and, of course, the food. While the turkey and mashed potatoes get most of the attention, the desserts are where the real fun begins. But what happens when you have picky eaters at the table who turn their noses up at pumpkin pie? This year, you can skip the stress with these adorable and delicious teepee treats. They are the kind of Fun Thanksgiving Treats Even Your Pickiest Eaters Will Love.
These little teepees aren’t just a dessert; they’re a fun activity and a centerpiece all in one. Made from simple ingredients like sugar cones, chocolate, and pretzels, they’re packed with a surprise cake-and-frosting filling that will win over even the most skeptical critics. They are one of the most Fun Thanksgiving Desserts you can make, and the best part is how simple they are to assemble. Let’s get started on these delightful Thanksgiving Treats!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? These teepee treats are a total crowd-pleaser for a few great reasons. First, they are incredibly kid-friendly. Kids can help dip the cones in sprinkles and assemble the pretzel stick tops, making it a wonderful holiday activity. It gets them involved in the kitchen and excited about the food they’re helping create.
Second, they are so easy to customize. You can use any cake mix flavor you like—chocolate, vanilla, spice cake, you name it. The same goes for the frosting. This makes it a fantastic way to use up leftover cake or cater to specific flavor preferences. Finally, they are just plain cute! They add a playful, festive touch to your dessert table that will have everyone smiling. These are truly one of the best Thanksgiving Desserts Easy recipes you’ll find.
Ingredients
- 12 sugar cones
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 36 pretzel sticks
- Fall colored sprinkles
For The Optional Filling
- 1 prepared cake (from a box mix), cooled
- 1 (16 ounce) container of chocolate frosting
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cones
First things first, let’s get those cones ready to become teepees. Take a sharp knife and carefully cut off the pointy tips of the sugar cones. You’ll want to remove about 1-2 inches. The goal is to create a hole that’s just big enough for three pretzel sticks to fit snugly inside. If the hole is too big, the pretzels will just fall right through, so be mindful not to trim too much.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate
Place your semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Let the melted chocolate cool for about five minutes. This slight cooling period is key because if it’s too hot, it will slide right off the cones.
Step 3: Decorate the Teepees
Now for the fun part! Dip about one inch of the wide, open end of a cone into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off. Immediately dip the chocolate-covered part into your fall-colored sprinkles, rolling it around to get a nice, even coat. Then, flip the cone over and dip the narrow, cut end into the chocolate and then the sprinkles. Place the decorated cone on a tray lined with wax paper. It’s easiest to work in small batches, so repeat this process with a few more cones at a time.
Step 4: Add the Pretzel Sticks
To create the top of the teepee, take three pretzel sticks. Dip about one inch of each stick into the remaining melted chocolate. Carefully insert the chocolate-dipped ends into the small hole at the top of a decorated cone. You may need to hold them in place for a few seconds to help them set. Repeat this for all your teepees. Once they’re all assembled, pop the tray into the fridge for about 10 minutes to let the chocolate harden completely.
Step 5: Make the Filling
While the teepees are setting in the fridge, you can prepare the yummy filling. If you haven’t already, bake your cake according to the package directions and let it cool completely. Once cooled, crumble the entire cake into a large bowl. Add the chocolate frosting and mix everything together until it’s well combined. It should have a thick, dough-like consistency.
Step 6: Fill the Teepees and Serve
Remove the set teepees from the fridge. Gently fill each cone with the cake and frosting mixture. Be careful not to pack it in too tightly, as the sugar cones can be fragile. It helps to support the pretzel sticks with one hand while you fill with the other to prevent them from getting pushed out. Once filled, keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any of these delightful teepees left over, storing them is simple. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container. Because of the cake and frosting filling, they need to be stored in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for another treat, you can serve them straight from the fridge.
Conclusion
And there you have it—a simple, creative, and delicious recipe for Fun Thanksgiving Treats Even Your Pickiest Eaters Will Love. These chocolate teepee cones are more than just a sweet bite; they’re a way to bring a little extra joy and creativity to your holiday gathering. They prove that Thanksgiving desserts don’t have to be complicated to be memorable. So this year, add a little whimsy to your dessert table and watch as everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, lights up at the sight of these adorable treats.
FAQ
Can I Use a Different Type of Chocolate?
Absolutely! While semisweet chocolate provides a nice balance to the sweetness of the cake and sprinkles, you can easily swap it for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate. If you use white chocolate, you could even dye it with food coloring to match your fall theme.
What If I Don’t Have a Boxed Cake Mix?
No problem at all! You can use any homemade cake recipe you prefer. This is also a great way to use up leftover cupcakes or cake scraps you might have. The goal is to have about 4-5 cups of crumbled cake to mix with the frosting.
Are These Treats Gluten-Free?
They are not gluten-free as written because of the sugar cones, pretzel sticks, and standard cake mix. However, you could easily make a gluten-free version by sourcing gluten-free ice cream cones, gluten-free pretzels, and using your favorite gluten-free cake mix.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! You can assemble and fill the teepees a day in advance. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh until it’s time to serve.
