Graduation Cap Snack (Printable)

Crisp crackers and cheese form caps, accented with licorice tassels for festive gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 12 square crackers (e.g., Wheat Thins, water crackers)
02 - 12 square slices of cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or American, about 1.5 inches square)

→ Tassel

03 - 12 long strings of black licorice or dried fruit strips (e.g., mango, apricot, or fruit leather, cut into thin strips about 3 inches long)

→ Assembly

04 - 12 small dots of cream cheese or hummus (for adhesion)
05 - 12 small candy pearls or raisins (optional, for tassel button)

# Directions:

01 - Place a square cracker on a serving platter.
02 - Top each cracker with a slice of cheese, aligning the edges precisely to resemble a graduation cap.
03 - Secure one end of a licorice string or dried fruit strip to one corner of the cheese square using a small dot of cream cheese or hummus as adhesive, allowing the tassel to drape naturally.
04 - Place a small candy pearl or raisin atop the tassel's end, securing it with additional cream cheese or hummus.
05 - Repeat the process with remaining components and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're deceptively simple to make—just five minutes of assembly once you gather your ingredients, leaving you time to focus on the celebration itself
  • Everyone at the party will do a double-take when they realize these little bites are actually edible art, shaped like real graduation caps
  • You can customize them endlessly with different cheeses and crackers, making them feel special and personal for whoever you're celebrating
  • Kids and adults alike gravitate toward them because they're fun to eat and even more fun to make together
02 -
  • Assemble these no more than two hours before serving—if you make them too far in advance, the crackers will start to soften from the moisture in the cheese and cream cheese, losing that satisfying crunch that makes people do a double-take when they bite into one
  • The cream cheese or hummus needs to be at room temperature to spread smoothly and adhere properly; cold cream cheese will either clump or won't hold the tassel securely, so let it sit out for ten minutes if you've just pulled it from the fridge
  • If your licorice or dried fruit strips are too stiff to drape naturally, run them under warm water for a few seconds or let them soften on the counter for a minute—they'll bend into that beautiful tassel curve instead of sticking straight out
03 -
  • Make a test batch an hour before your guests arrive if this is your first time—this takes maybe five minutes and gives you confidence that your assembly rhythm works perfectly before you're juggling a crowd and a celebration
  • If you want to prep ahead, assemble the base (cracker plus cheese) the night before and refrigerate them, then add the tassels and buttons just before serving—this keeps everything at peak crispness
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