I was talking to fellow food blogger Y about my Pocky situation. My situation goes like this: several times a day during my recent trip to Tokyo, I would pop into a convenience store and check out what kinds of Pocky they had. I scored a great range of fancy Pocky and Kit Kats all at a steal ($1-2AUD). I was saving these for when I got home and had a Pocky craving and felt that the outlay of $5 here for 10 sticks was a bit silly. Little did I anticipate leaving them behind at my sister’s London home. What I did anticipate was that she ate them all leaving me with nothing except the Pocky I managed to take with me (which was admittedly a good Pocky, the Giant Hello Kitty Green Tea Pocky).
Y suggested that I make my own Pocky and pointed me in the direction of the Pier Cookbook where they have a good “Poky Stick” recipe (the secret ingredient being tahini of all things).
As for the presentation, my husband suggested making myself a little Pocky Forest which I thought was ingenious so out came my Christmas decorations and I set about stabbing a cardboard box with a knife, Dexter style.
The best way to impart the flavours was via chocolate and white chocolate is usually used with Pocky. I have nothing against white chocolate. I know some that think White Chocolate isn’t worth eating. That’s not true at all, yes it’s sweet and nothing really like dark or milk chocolate but combining it with berries or cranberries and it’s a killer combo. I’ll let the chocolate snobs miss out on it, it only means more for me.
Cocolo Organic Fairtrade Chocolate
For other flavour suggestions involving dark chocolate I asked some of my friends who I shall call Pockyettes, and they came up with some amazing sounding flavours. I also had a packet of some cranberries which I love to snack on and some lovely Organic Fairtrade Cocolo dark chocolate that I was dying to use.
Bittersweet dark chocolate Pocky studded with Cranberries
Other flavours that were suggested to me were Honeycomb, which I like, but I find milk chocolate too overwhelming with honeycomb so I used the Dark Cocolo again.
My first lot yielded 130 sticks which was more than I was willing to eat no matter how hungry I was so I have halved the recipe so that you make a more reasonable amount. But do know that these are seriously, faithfully good to the original Pocky recipe. yours may be a bit thicker as they’re hand-cut and the chocolate a bit thicker as they’re hand poured but make no mistake, they are frightfully addictive. Don’t say you weren’t warned…And don’t think I’d leave you hanging with 130 sticks. I will have another story coming up with even more Pocky flavours!
Pocky or Poky Sticks
Make 65
- 105g/3.7 oz strong baker’s/bread flour
- 80g/2.82oz plain all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 13g/0.46oz icing sugar sifted
- 6g/0.21oz dried yeast
- 65ml/2.20 fl oz milk, lukewarm
- 16g/0.56oz tahini
- 25g/0.88oz honey
- zest of 1/2 mandarin or 1/4 orange
- 25g/0.88oz butter at room temperature
1. Combine the yeast and lukewarm milk in a small bowl and stir to combine. Fit a dough hook in an electric mixer and mix the dry ingredients on a low speed.
2. In another bowl, mix the honey and tahini together. Add this mix and the milk and yeast mix to the dry ingredients. Mix together on medium speed to form a dough. Add zest and butter and 60ml water and continue mixing until the dough is firm and elastic. I needed to add a bit more flour to make the dough come together after the addition of the butter as it was a little too wet.
Pocky dough
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 180c/350F. Divide hte dough into two and knead the dough until smooth then roll it out into a rectangle. Roll it out to 4mm thick (1/4 inch). With a ruler and a sharp knife, cut 5mmx15cms strips and carefully transfer these onto a lightly greased baking tray or greaseproof paper lined baking tray.
Golden brown baked Pocky sticks
5. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes (watch it, it may take a bit longer or shorter). You want it golden brown, not light yellow as it will not “snap” properly.
Adapted from the Pier Cookbook
Honeycomb Pocky (for kids)
- 1 Violet crumble bar or honeycomb, crushed
- Milk Chocolate
1. Melt milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and use a spoon to spoon chocolate over sticks (allow excess chocolate to drip off by holding it vertically for a few seconds). While still unset, press crushed honeycomb against chocolate and leave on greaseproof paper to dry.
White Christmas Pocky (for those with a sweet tooth)
- White Chocolate
- Shredded coconut
1. Melt chocolate. Use a spoon to spoon chocolate over sticks (allow excess chocolate to drip off by holding it vertically for a few seconds) and then lay down on greaseproof paper and while still unset, press shredded coconutand dried cranberries against chocolate. Leave on greaseproof paper to dry and/or set in fridge.
Dark Christmas Pocky (for those who like their Pocky with a sophisticated edge)
- Dark Chocolate (I used Cocolo Organic Dark chocolate)
- Dried cranberries chopped up finely
1. Melt chocolate. Use a spoon to spoon chocolate over sticks (allow excess chocolate to drip off by holding it vertically for a few seconds) and then lay down on greaseproof paper and while still unset, press dried cranberries against chocolate. Leave on greaseproof paper to dry and/or set in fridge.
Spicy Christmas Pocky (for those looking for a little thrill)
- Mild chili powder
- Dark Chocolate
1. Melt chocolate. Use a spoon to spoon chocolate over sticks (allow excess chocolate to drip off by holding it vertically for a few seconds) and then sprinkle chili powder over partially set chocolate and set in the fridge.
Green Tea Pocky (for those seeking tranquility at Christmas)
- Green tea powder
- White Chocolate
1. Melt chocolate. Use a spoon to spoon chocolate over sticks (allow excess chocolate to drip off by holding it vertically for a few seconds) and then sprinkle green tea powder over partially set white chocolate and set in the fridge.
This is my entry for the No Croutons Required December 2008 event!
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82 Comments | Add your own
wow what a great post. these look great and so festive I m making them instead of come cookies this year. great
Wow, that’s absolutely adorable…hmm, I have a pack of ultra thin Pocky sitting somewhere around here, I think you’ve just helped me decide what to have for breakfast XD
LOL – this is so cute! I have never heard of pocky before, but this looks very tempting.
I always wondered what Pocky was, but I’m too lazy to just google it
I’m not sure it’s exactly my “thing”, but the pocky forest is really, really cool. It reminds me a lot of the petrified forest in Doctor Who and The Daleks. And now I’ll take my overly geeky references away
This is really very very awesome and put a big smile on my face. So Christmassy without all of the usual commercial attachments … I applaud you!!
Oh I wish I lived in a forest like this!!!
This is a brilliant post/recipe/idea.. etc etc.. !!
I was introduced to Pocky through a Pocky-loving friend. Now when we meet at Melbourne Central for lunch and browsing, we visit an Asian grocer there and stock-up on Pocky. I love almond studded Pocky.. but I think it’s not the real Pocky.. it’s ‘Lotte’ from Korea?
My friend buys the ‘bitter’ chocolate ‘MEN’S’ Pocky for her hubby. I haven’t tried that yet. We have a couple of small Pocky packets available at our local supermarket. Milk chocolate and Strawberry flavours. Not much variety. They’re easy to eat and a bit calorific!
Anyway ((Applause)), *love* the Pocky forest!!
oh, my ! really really cute !!!! I imagine I keep eating that whole day ..haha
Anyway, can I ask u one thing? I am planning to have the degustation menu…thinking about Tetsuya’s because obviously it is very famouse.. but actaully their menu looks a bit too simple for me. Due to a amount of money, if I have to pay, I want to spend it very worthy. According to you had so many wonderful dining experiences.. Any place you reccommend me? Thanks !
Ah, so gorgeous. I was the same when I went to Japan, constantly munching. Never thought about making my own though, such a good idea..
Oh now you’ve done it! I am an absolute pocky addict to the core and now I’m tingling…I know what you can with 130 sticks of pocky and they involve me, a couch and a few dvds!
Ooh and good to meet you finally yesterday
wow, Pocky-fest indeed! I had the Brazilian pudding version only the other day.
I like to dip and set pretzels in microwaved chocolate in front of the telly but your Christmas-themed cheer is a whole other plane of commitment entirely! It brings a whole new dimension to the idea of an edible nativity scene
Oh NQN, You’ve totally outdone yourself!!!
must try this, your pics are too cute!
These are gorgeous!
I love Pocky sticks! Where’s the best place in Sydney to get them? Such a limited range here
I can’t believe your sister ate them all!!
I always thought pocky was one of those things that could never be recreated at home, made somewhere in special processed foods land. I love the ’snap’ and ‘crunch’that pocky makes when i am eating it.
But to be able to make it! I cannot belive you have uncovered the secret to pocky!
Very addictive stuff. It was staple exam food at uni. Love the flavour combos there too
Just showed my girl your forest. She leeerrrrvvs Pocky! Now we’ll have to make these one day!
These are amazing…really beautiful presentation!
I love Pocky…while the range of flavours are nice I’m quite addicted to the traditional chocolate or strawberry
I’m definitely going to have to make my own pocky now!
What about matcha powder with white chocolate? The matcha will make the white choc not too sweet for your teeth and I love green tea
Any chance of violet and bluberry pocky?
OOohhh such beautifulll presentation yet again! These look much better than Pocky and I am sure taste much better too
I will help you eat them never fear
So good to see you again btw ^^!
I love Pocky, but I haven’t had them for years! This looks like fun!
now that is a forest I would love to get lost in – haven’t heard of pocky but I think I could learn to love it
Great post! And I love the photos with the Pocky forest and Christmas ornaments. Gorgeous!
Oh my gosh, these are amazing!!! Pockys are one of my favorite snacks too and darn expensive to buy! This recipe will be added to my project list. =)
-Piee
Hi snooky doodle-Thanks so much! The best thing about these is that you can tailor the flavours to whoever you’re giving them to by just switching the coating
Hi Chris-Thanks
Hehe always happy to help!
Hi Cakelaw-If you stop by any asian grocery store they should have some sort of Pocky (or a similar brand). Nothing’s quite as good as Pocky or Fran though so best stick to trying those. They’re like chocolate coated biscuits but in a stick form
Hi Angela-Hehe well if chocolate coated biscuits are your thing than Pocky is definitely
LOL at Doctor Who reference!
Hi Pieter-That’s so sweet of you to say! That makes me very happy
Hi Cappucino-Haha yes, that would be rather cool!
Hi Maria-The almond studded one is nice but if you see the Pocky or Fran ones with the fancy toppings on them then I urge you to try those. Especially if you see the Peach Decorer Pocky-that was my favourite one ever! I don’t think I’ve tried the Men’s Pocky, I think it sounds so funny that there is a men’s Pocky. What does it do? Ask directions or find keys?
Thankyou so much! 
Hi Bean Sprout-We’ll be eating them for weeks I have a feeling! Hmm well I really liked Tetsuya’s and that was probably my nicest dining experience in Sydney aside from the Iron Chef dinner. They’re actually holding on in early December and selling tickets now so if you want a truly spectacular evening, I’d definitely book that. It’s a whole evening of entertainment, food and wine!
Hi Reemski-I think it’s practically compulsary to eat these while in Japan
Hi Karen-Oh well then you must try making these-you’ll be glad that you did and you can play with the flavours too! It was great finally meeting up with you too!
Hi Helen-Sadly the Brazilian Pudding was one of the Pocky that got eaten by my sister. I was really looking forward to that one! I think Pocky should make these and sell them
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Definitely! I’d love to hear what you think of it
Thankyou so much!
Hi flapflap-Thanks! I think most Asian grocery stores will have some although the bigger ones in chinatown will probably have more flavours of the nicer Pocky and Fran. Good luck finding them!
Hi Maria-Haha me too! I didn’t realise it was so easy to do. Well it’s time consuming doing it by hand but it’s worth it most definitely
Oh yes they would be great study food, chewing Pocky from beginning to end while pondering the textbook…
Hi Maria-Oh cool! She might have fun making it, I really liked doing the toppings myself
Hi Alexandra-Thankyou so much!
I’m the other way, the double coated or fancily swirled flecks are my favourite. Maybe I get distracted by fancy tricks 
Hi Lilia-I could have done that but it would have tasted very similar to sprinkling the green tea on it. Sure, you can make whatever flavour you would like!
As for me, I’ve made up the rest of them, in a story to follow soon 
Hi FFichiban-Thankyou so much! Haha thanks for volunteering-my husband has currently commandeered the box of Pocky. I asked him if I could give some away and he didn’t look like he liked that idea
Hi NayC-I’ll admit the cutting and rolling isn’t great fun but the dipping and sprinkling definitely is!
Hi Johanna-Hehe thankyou so much!
It’s like a biscuit coated in chocolate in a stick form-very good and moreish!
Hi Indigo-Thanks very much! I dragged out the Christmas ornaments for the tree and thought they’d look cute
Hi Piee-They’re so cheap in Japan but expensive here for the number of sticks that you get! I should have protected my Pocky stash a bit more
I love those pictures! It’s like a candy Christmas forrest!
I LOVE this post! What a great idea! I never would have thought to make my own Pocky, yet now I’ve got to. I love Pocky and love all of the fun seasonal flavors they come out with in Japan. Thanks!
I just want 1/10 of your artistic skill. I can screw up stick figures.
Oh wow that looks so yummy and Christmassy! This is why I visit your blog everyday (and not through google reader like I do with most other blogs)… I always feel compelled to comment on your creativity.
Pocky is so addictive though isn’t it? And you’re fooled into thinking you aren’t eating much as they’re so deceptively thin…
I only realized later in the post that you made the pockies. I thought they were bought pretzel sticks. This is so amazing and all the lovely flavorings…well done!!!
Your Christmas forest is beautiful! What a wonderful idea. If you don’t want to go through all the trouble of making homemade Pocky, check out http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com, they have a wide selection of Pocky, including chocolate, milk pocky, and hazlenut dessert pocky. It’s much easier than trying to find it in the store. Thanks for sharing this great idea.
Oh..thanks ! I looked at the iron chef… sounds very fantastic but too expensive T_T Have to wait until I work and earn my money
Okay, I am intrigued, as I have never heard of these! They look good and fun to eat that is for sure. I can’t wait to hear more about the flavors. I am still not clear though, do you buy them in all sort of flavors, or do you add the flavor toppings?
This looks great. I love Pocky. I would love to try to make my own. And a little pocky forest, so cute for the holidays.
This is such a gorgeous idea!! I love Pocky too!PS the Japanese supermarket at Northbridge has them on sale from time to time so you can get them cheaper – you just have to keep a bit of a watch for them.
Hi Blond Duck-Thankyou! I’m so glad that it looks like a forest-I wasn’t sure if it would be figment of my imagination
Hi Fuji Mama-Oooh yes you definitely have to-so much fun (well the dipping is) and I know kids love it too. You’re welcome
Hi Jeff-I don’t have much artistry at all-I bet you’d do a great job if I can do a halfway decent one
Hi Su-yin-Thankyou so much for visiting outside of the google reader
I know, they’re a bit calorific but hey it’s Christmas time… 
Hi nina-Yes you could use bought pretzel sticks but I think they’ve usually got salt on them so they’re not quite as Pocky like but they’ll certainly do in a pinch!
Hi Amanda-That’s a little hard for me as I’m in Australia. In this case it’s probably closer to buy from the shops but thanks for the link!
Hi Bean Sprout-I’ve also had really lovely meals at Altitude and Icebergs and both are with a view which I think is really lovely if you’re looking for a romantic evening
Hi Kim-I make the whole thing from scratch! If you have a read it goes through everything
Hi Abby-You’d be perfect to make these then!
Thankyou so much!
Hi Suzie-Cool, thanks so much for the tip. That store is pretty good from what I remember
pocky is a new one on me, but i immediately know that i’d like to venture into a pocky forest and spend a few days eating trees and whatnot.
Gasp! They look fantastic! What a clever idea, with the forest – that husband of yours.. he’s a keeper, isn’t he!
Awesome stuff, Lorraine. Your Xmas ornaments are so cute too.
Hi grace-I can totally see it being made into a modern day Japanese Hansel and Gretel!
Hi Y-Thanks for pointing me towards the Pier recipe. He comes up with some cute ones he does! I love buying new decorations, a bit too much!
I am not familiar with “Strong Baker’s Flour”, and I can’t even find any information on it or where to buy it >_<. Does it go by any other name overseas? Or is there a good substitution for it?
These are just great and fantastic and wonderful!
Hi Josh-Larger supermarkets and delis sell it (also called bread, 00 or Italian bread flour). Otherwise regular plain flour will do (that’s what I used). Hope this helps!
Hi Susan-Thankyou so very much!
Oh, these look awesome. I may have to try them. Tell me, what did you use for the base(s) for the Pocky forest? It kind of looks like white paper over a box in some pictures, but more granulated in others.
P.S. — And how long would you say these stay fresh? (As part of the forest, in the fridge, or in sealed plastic bags?)
Thanks!
OMG, that is so cute. I love pocky and yours looks much tastier. What a great holiday treat.
Hi caia-Definitely, let me know what you think!
You’re right it was white paper over a cardboard box and then I sprinkled some dessicated coconut over the bottom (to simulate snow). They didn’t last long as the forest (hungry husband) but I think they’d last for a couple of weeks in a container, perhaps even 3 weeks.
Hi gaga-Thankyou
I’m so glad I found a good solution to mass Pocky consumption 
Your pocky says a lot about you, widely traveled and extremely chic!!!!
Hi Nazarina-Why thankyou! That’s so nice of you to say
Those are fabulous! They really cheered me up. Such good photos too. I hadn’t heard of these before, but now I want some!
Thank you for entering your photo into No Croutons Required and good luck
They are just exquisitely beautiful!
Hi Holler-Thankyou! And thanks for hosting this month’s event and for choosing a creative angle on it
Hi Soma-Thankyou so much!
I live in the US and your recipe is the only one I’ve found. However, I am at a loss as to how to convert. Help!!!
Hi Shawn-If you check out a site like http://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/grams-to-ounces.htm you can just plug in the amounts and it will work out the conversion for you
I did go to one that converted grams to cups (which is what we use for things like flour) but then I read that would not be exact because the grams per cup ratio was different depending on the weight of the item. I’ll give it a try and see what happens. Also, is icing sugar the same as powdered sugar?? Thanks!!
Thank you for sharing this great idea + recipe. I made them instead of cookies this year. I coated them with lots of different flavours:
- white chocolate mixed with green tea powder + dried cranberries
- dark chocolate + cinnamon powder + almond slices
- dark chocolate + cinnamon powder + orange zest
- dark chocolate + chili powder
- dark chocolate + crushed coffee beans
- white chocolate + cardamom powder + coconut flakes
Hi Shawn-Sorry I didn’t see your second comment! Icing sugar is the sugar you mix together with water to make icing and is the same as powdered sugar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powdered_sugar
Hi orange-Fabulous flavour combinations! I can’t wait to see pics of it, they sound mouthwatering
As requested, a review: yummy!
I had to add more flour, as you did, and then I had some problems rolling the dough out and cutting it properly, but I improved; later Pocky looked a bit less like they were made by a second grader.
For your American readers, by my calculations 65ml milk = 0.275 cups, or just over 1/4 cup; I may have used a little much. (60ml water is just about 1/4 cup.) According to my jars, 16g tahini is about 1 Tbsp and 25g honey is > 1 Tbsp. 25g butter is about 1 Tbsp. (I used a kitchen scale with grams for all the other measurements.)
I may have undercooked them/cut them too big, but even without a crunch, they’re a cookie covered in chocolate — how bad can they be?
Btw, I used bittersweet and milk chocolate chips for the chocolate, and added chopped dried cranberries and cherries mostly. We put unsweetened cocoa on some, and I put chili powder on a couple, though I haven’t tried those yet. So far they’re in zipper bags, but I’m thinking of setting them up in a display somehow — they’re too cute to just have in bags.
They’re also a bit of work… it was a good thing I had a willing helper to decorate them. But since they take awhile to set, and can make a bit of mess, I wouldn’t recommend them as a project to do with very small kids.
Thanks for the recipe!
P.S. — I didn’t use a mixer, either; the dough can be made by hand.
Hi caia-Glad to see that you liked them-the Pocky biscuit stick itself is to me, more a vehicle to transport the delicious toppings. Yes it does take up a lot of room so as long as you have room to dry them which doesn’t take too long to set (or in the fridge is really quick) it’s quite easy
Good post. I love Pocky. Great blog – just found you and lots to explore here
Hi Beth-Thankyou so much! That’s very sweet of you to say
Oooh, a Christmas Pocky. Curious about that thing, after I read the steps, I found it awesome and easy-to-cook.
(The decorations and sprinkles are so cute!)
Hi Kitsune-Kun-Yes it is quite fun. Cutting ou the strips requires patience but dipping (and eating them) is fun!
Oh my, what a wonderful and ADORABLE little homemade Pocky forest you got there! Definitely, one of the sweetest and good looking decorations I’ve seen.
(Do you know that it exists… strawberry? ;_; I crave those so much, since I love the Chocolate Milk Mikado/Pocky so much! o.O But never saw in stores here in Portugal)
Hi I love this recipe, can you send it to me in
US Weights & Measures.? Thank You.!
Hi Dari-Thankyou so much! You are too kind
I’ve definitely seen strawberry flavour here although I’m not sure of the varieties available in Portugal 
Hi Kathleen-The SU weights are right there in the recipe
in america you can get them really cheap at wallmart. they’re like, $1.08 per box
I just want to thank you so very much for this recipe. I love Pocky’s but I cant get them in Iceland and the web site I bought them from dose’nt stock them any more.
i have to say i had never heard of pocky before but a friend of mine tuned me on to this peculiar item and now i am addicted!!!! thank you so much for breaking down the recipe!!!
Thats a great post! what an original idea! thanks!
This is awesome! My daughters keep asking me to get them pocky, but all that’s sold in my area is the standard chocolate flavor. Now I can just have them make them to their heart’s content. Thank you!
you are a genius! soooo cute – i must do this!
I love the idea of make your own Pocky and the presentation is awesome. But, I’m also into instant gratification and the idea of making a million little breadsticks during the holidays is a little overwhelming. So, confession time–I cheated! I bought a box of grissini-those long thin Italian breadsticks and dipped and sprinkled away. Broken in thirds, we had quite a pile of Pockys-our favorite was a Nutella dip which was then dipped in bittersweet chocolate around which we spun caramelized sugar!
I absolutely love pocky it is so good and i cant wait to make some at home now.. ^_^ but what is tahini?
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[...] Pocky Christmas Forest ~ Not Quite Nigella [...]
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[...] Feb, 2009 Around the Web Posted by Su-Lin under Food, Misc Have you seen the beautiful homemade Pocky over at Not Quite Nigella? She has a gorgeous forest of [...]
Pocky Sticks…
Dieses Jahr habe ich zu Weihnachten keine Plätzchen gebacken. Ich hatte kurz davor dieses tolle Rezept entdeckt und wollte es unbedingt ausprobieren. Paßt übrigens auch super zu anderen Jahreszeiten, da man den Guß nach Lust und Laune variieren kan…
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