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DIY Chocolate Candy Graduation Cap Treats – no bake, easy-to-make graduation party dessert featuring Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chocolate squares, M&Ms, and candy melts decorated as graduation caps with tassels.

Ingredients

  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (quantity as desired)
  • Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares (equal amount to peanut butter cups)
  • M&Ms (choose school colors, quantity equal to peanut butter cups)
  • Candy Melts (various colors to coordinate with party, approx. 5–10 tablespoons)

Instructions

  1. Unwrap peanut butter cups and place them upside down in a single layer on parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Unwrap a chocolate square for each peanut butter cup.
  3. Melt a few tablespoons of candy melts at a time (about 5–10 tablespoons) until smooth by heating in 15–20 second microwave bursts and stirring between bursts or using a double boiler.
  4. Drop a small dab of melted candy on top of each upside-down peanut butter cup.
  5. Quickly press a chocolate square onto each dab of melted candy and hold for a few seconds to set.
  6. Let the assembled caps sit until the melted candy hardens.
  7. If a chocolate square won’t sit flat, warm it for a couple of seconds in the microwave to soften before pressing.
  8. Melt small amounts of candy melts in each tassel color, keeping them runny for piping.
  9. Spoon melted tassel candy into a plastic sandwich bag and snip a tiny corner to create a piping bag.
  10. Pipe a small swirl or squiggle of melted candy on the center of each chocolate square.
  11. Place an M&M or other small candy in the center of each piped tassel.
  12. Repeat the decorating process until all graduation cap treats are finished.

Notes

Heat candy melts in short bursts of 15–20 seconds in the microwave, stirring well between for even melting. A double boiler works as well., Only melt a few tablespoons at a time to keep the candy smooth and liquid enough to act as glue, avoiding hardening too fast., Set peanut butter cups upside down on parchment paper or silicone mat to prevent sticking and ease cleanup., Use a small piping bag or plastic sandwich bag with a snipped corner for neat tassels., If a chocolate square is difficult to sit flat, warm briefly in microwave before pressing down gently., Avoid refrigerating immediately after decorating to prevent white chocolate bloom; if chilling is needed, allow treats to come to room temperature before serving., Variations include using Rolos, mini Twix, or chocolate sandwich cookies for nut-free options, changing chocolate square types for different flavors or appearances, and using different decorations for tassels and centers., Store in airtight container at room temperature (60–70°F) away from heat and sunlight for 1–2 days, or refrigerate up to 1 week with caution to prevent moisture issues and bloom., Do not freeze as it alters texture and causes white coating on chocolate.

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