Are you ready to bring a bit of fall fun into your kitchen? These teepee ice cream sugar cones are not only adorable but also incredibly versatile, making them perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering.
More Thanksgiving Treats for you to try: Oreo Cookie Turkeys, Rolo Pretzel Turkeys, Pilgrim Hat Cookies
You can keep things simple with just chocolate-dipped cones and sprinkles, or take it up a notch with a delicious cake filling for a delightful surprise inside!
This recipe is a great way to get creative with your treats. Whether you go all in with the cake filling or stick to the basics, these cones are sure to be a hit. And the best part? They’re customizable with your favorite chocolate flavors and sprinkles, so you can make them as festive or as simple as you like.
Ingredients
- 12 sugar cones
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 36 pretzel sticks
- Fall colored sprinkles
Optional filling:
Prepared cake (from box mix)
16 ounce chocolate frosting
How To Make Teepee Sugar Cone Treats
First things first, bake your cake according to the box instructions. Let it cool down completely, then set it aside while you work on the cones.
Grab a sharp knife and carefully cut off the pointy tips of your sugar cones—about 1-2 inches. You want to make a hole just big enough to snugly fit three pretzel sticks, but not so big that they fall through.
Time to melt some chocolate! Pop your semisweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat them in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. Let it cool for about 5 minutes.
Dip the top of each cone about an inch into the melted chocolate, shake off the excess, and then dive it into those fall-colored sprinkles. Do the same for the bottom of the cone. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. It’s easiest to work in small batches, so keep dipping and sprinkling until you’re done!
Once you’ve got your cones all decorated, grab 3 pretzel sticks for each cone. Dip the bottom inch of each pretzel stick into the chocolate and then carefully insert them into the top of each cone. Hold them for a few seconds to let the chocolate set. Pop the tray into the fridge for about 10 minutes to let everything firm up.
While your cones are chilling, crumble your cooled cake and mix it with the chocolate frosting.
After the cones have set, take them out of the fridge. Gently fill each cone with your cake and frosting mix. Be careful not to overpack or press too hard, or you might break the cone. Support the pretzel sticks while you fill to keep them from popping out.
Keep your filled cones in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Enjoy these cute, festive treats!
Tips & Tricks
Here’s a fun little secret: you can totally skip the cake filling if you want to keep things simple. But if you’re in the mood to go all out, feel free to use any boxed cake and frosting combo you like—super convenient! You can even grab a pre-baked cake from the grocery store to save time.
Now, don’t be surprised if you end up with extra cake filling. It’s perfect for snacking, but if you want to get creative, roll the leftovers into cake balls. Pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes, then dip them in melted chocolate and let them chill again until the chocolate sets. Bonus treat!
As for the chocolate, you’ve got plenty of options! Use whatever flavor you love—white chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla candy melts, or even some fun red or orange candy melts for a fall twist. And if you can’t find pre-mixed fall sprinkles, no worries! Just mix your own or use any sprinkles you have on hand. It’s all about having fun with it!
Storing
Store any leftovers of the prepared teepee cones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind, the longer it sits, the cones do start to soften.
Any leftover cake should be stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I do not recommend freezing.
FAQ
Can I make these teepees without the cake filling?
Absolutely! The sugar cones are delicious even without the cake inside. You can keep it simple with just the chocolate-dipped cones and sprinkles, or fill them with anything else you like, such as candy or a different type of filling.
How far in advance can I make sugar cone teepees?
You can make them a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh. Keep in mind that the cones may soften a bit the longer they sit, so they’re best enjoyed within 1-2 days.
Can I use other types of cones?
Sugar cones work best for this recipe because of their shape and sturdiness. Regular ice cream cones are too soft and won’t hold up well, especially if you add a filling.
What can I use if I don’t have fall-colored sprinkles?
No fall-colored sprinkles? No problem! You can mix your own by combining orange, brown, yellow, and red sprinkles (or any colors you like). Or, you can just go with chocolate sprinkles or any kind you have on hand.
What other fillings can I use besides cake?
If cake isn’t your thing, feel free to get creative! You can fill the cones with candies, whipped cream, pudding, or even ice cream if you’re serving them right away. Just make sure to support the pretzel sticks when adding any filling so they don’t fall out.
Why are my pretzel sticks falling out of the cone?
If your pretzel sticks aren’t staying in place, try dipping them a little further into the chocolate before inserting them into the cone. Hold them in place for a few extra seconds to let the chocolate set better.
How do I stop the cones from breaking while filling them?
Be gentle when filling the cones, especially if using the cake and frosting mixture. Don’t overpack the cones, and make sure to support the pretzel sticks while filling to avoid pushing them out.
Can I freeze the sugar cone teepees?
Freezing isn’t recommended, as the cones can become soggy and lose their crunch once thawed. It’s best to store them in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.
More Thanksgiving Treat Recipes
Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Rolo pretzel turkeys (Easy Thanksgiving Treats)
Easy Oreo Turkeys (Fun Thanksgiving Cookies)
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Ingredients
12 12 sugar cones
3/4 cup 3/4 semisweet chocolate chips
36 36 pretzel sticks
Fall colored sprinkles
- Optional filling
Prepared cake (from box mix)
16 ounce 16 chocolate frosting
Directions
- Prepare cake mix according to package instructions. Then set aside and allow to cool.
- With a sharp knife, cut off the pointy tips of the cones, about 1-2 inches. You want the cut hole big enough to be able to snuggly fit 3 pretzel sticks. Do not cut too much off as the pretzel sticks will just fall through.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted and smooth. Let cool for 5 minutes before dipping the cones.
- Dip about 1-inch of the top of the cone with chocolate and gently shake off the excess coating. Then dip it into the sprinkles.
- Turn the cone over and then dip the bottom of the cone into the chocolate and gently shake off the excess coating. Then dip into the sprinkles. Place the cone onto the prepared tray. It’s easiest when working in small batches so repeat dipping and adding sprinkles to a few more cones.
- Add the pretzel sticks by dipping 3 pieces 1-inch into the chocolate and then inserting them into the tops of the teepees. Hold for a few seconds to set. Repeat with the remaining teepees and then transfer the tray to the fridge to set, about 10 minutes.
- Once the prepared cake has cooled, crumble it and mix with the chocolate frosting.
- Once the teepees are set, remove from the fridge and then fill each cone with the cake and frosting. Do not overpack the cones or press into it too hard as it can break. You’ll also want to support the pretzel sticks while filling the cones, so they don’t get pushed out.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe can be made with or without the cake filling.
- You can use any prepared box cake and frosting combo. You may even use an already baked and frosted cake from the grocery store.
- You may have some extra cake leftover depending on how much you fill the cones. Leftovers are perfect to eat as is or you can use them to make cake balls later. Simply roll the leftovers into balls, chill for 30 minutes, and then dip the cake balls into melted chocolate. Chill it again for the chocolate to set.
- You can use any flavor of chocolate chips or melting wafers for dipping. White chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla candy melts, red candy melts, etc.
- If you can’t find a mix of fall colored sprinkles, you can mix your own jimmies with the colors you want. You can also use all chocolate sprinkles or any other color you like.