Description
Hedgehog Cookies are a delightful and adorable holiday treat that combine a buttery, soft cookie base with a rich chocolate dip and nutty ‘quills.’ Perfect for festive occasions or as a fun baking project with kids, these European-inspired cookies feature a charming hedgehog shape decorated with chocolate and sesame seeds or mini chocolate chips for eyes and nose.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
Decoration
- ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (for dipping)
- ¼ cup finely chopped hazelnuts or walnuts (optional)
- Black sesame seeds or mini chocolate chips (for eyes and nose)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Make the dough: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing well to incorporate. Stir in the flour and a pinch of salt until a soft dough forms, ensuring it’s well combined but not overmixed.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop out small portions of dough—about 1 tablespoon each—and roll them into teardrop or oval shapes. Gently pinch one end to form the hedgehog’s nose and place the shaped dough on the baking sheet with spacing between each.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt the chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips by heating in 30-second intervals, stirring between each session until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
- Dip and decorate: Dip the rounded back end of each cooled cookie into the melted chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with chopped nuts to resemble the hedgehog’s quills. Place the cookies back on parchment paper to allow the chocolate to set.
- Add facial features: Use a toothpick to dab small spots of melted chocolate onto the face area where you want the eyes and nose. Quickly place black sesame seeds or mini chocolate chips on these spots to create the hedgehog’s eyes and nose. Let the decorations set before serving.
Notes
- These cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Kids love helping decorate the faces, making this recipe a fun family activity.
- Try using white chocolate and festive sprinkles for a colorful holiday twist.
