Poodle Cookies @Not Quite Nigella

Poodle Cookies!

July 29, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

I have something of an obsession with iced biscuits. Kind of like I have a mild obsession with hats, nail polish and cupcakes. I’ve never denied having an obsessive personality and I like to convince myself that one of my obsessive manifestations, hand washing, has somehow helped me stave off a bout of the Swine Flu so it’s perfectly fine to have an obsession or 3. Anyway back to obsession #26: iced cookies. I was afraid of Royal Icing for the longest time ever. It just sounded so… Royal and people used to say “Oooh” as if they were in fear of it made me somewhat fearful. Until I tried making it and realised how easy and fantastic it was an icing to decorate it.

I first saw the idea for these cookies in New Zealand. I went shopping in Christchurch and picked up these adorable poodle cookies always thinking that I wanted to recreate them at home. I searched everywhere for a poodle cutter and friends can attest to my fruitless search for them. Finally I did what I should have done in the first place and googled it I got a hold of the poodle cutter online and I was set.

I used the recipe from the Daring Bakers cookies as it wasn’t too sweet a recipe as the royal icing itself is very sweet. I made these in homage to The Second Wife’s poodle Dash who just happens to be the cutest poodle I’ve ever met in my life. He is a little ball of curly black fur and twinkling black eyes and I love him to pieces. So Dash here are some fancy pink girlfriends for you.

So tell me Dear Reader, do you have an obsessive personality? If so, what is your obsession?

Poodle Cookies

Makes 24 cookies

For Cookies

1.5 cups (187grams/6.6oz) all purpose flour
1/4 cup (57grams/2oz) caster or superfine sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons (85grams/ 3 oz) unsalted butter at room temperature
2 eggs, whisked together
Poodle shaped cutter (I bought mine online)

For Royal Icing

1 egg white (30grams/1 oz)
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
150grams sifted icing sugar
Pink food colouring
Black icing pen
Silver cachous

1. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, blend the dry ingredients.

2. On low speed, add the butter and mix until sandy.

3. Add the eggs and mix until combine.

4. Form the dough into a disk, wrap with clingfilm and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.

5. When ready to bake, grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper or a silicon mat.

6. Preheat the oven to 180C/350 degrees F.

7. Roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness, on a lightly floured surface. Use a poodle cutter to cut out and transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool to room temperature.

For Royal Icing

1. Beat egg whites with lemon juice until foamy on low speed increasing to medium speed.

2. Add sifted sugar by the spoonful while beating until desired consistency is reached. You want it a little stiff in order to pipe the outline however, if it is too stiff, add a little warm water.

3. Divide mixture and set aside 1/4 of the icing as white and tint the remaining 3/4 pink. Use immediately and cover any royal icing not being used with clingfilm.

To decorate

1. Take cooled cookie and using the pink Royal Icing, pipe the outline around the poodle cutter. I found the best way was to do a “blob” for the tail and paws and then join the three blobs together with a single line. Allow to set completely (about 45 minutes). I find it easier to use ziplock bags with a tiny snip at one corner to pipe such small amounts but by all means use a proper piping bag if you want.

2. Then add a little water to the pink Royal royal icing to make it spoonable and not too stiff (but we don’t want it watery by any means). Using a small spoon, fill in the outline using the back of the spoon and tilting it to spread the icing. Set completely (about 1 hour).

3. Then pipe tiny little dots using the white Royal Icing on the paws, tail and around the face as pictured. Affix a nose using a cachou dipped in icing and draw an eye using a black icing pen. Allow to set completely. Once set, store in an airtight container.

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Posted in Biscuits and Cookies, Cooking and Recipes

73 Comments | Add your own

1. Blond Duck | July 29, 2009 at 6:03 am | #

I have a totally obsessive personality…it’s ridiculous. And I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE these cookies. In fact, I’m obsessed.
2. Julia @ Mélanger | July 29, 2009 at 6:57 am | #

Lorraine, these are just adorable!! I have never used royal icing on cookies before. I completely appreciate your endless quest to track something down so you can complete a task. Completely understand that. Oh, and I probably don’t need to share my particular obsession! But for a hint … mah kah ronh …
3. Julie | July 29, 2009 at 7:12 am | #

These are adorable! I was surprised to see them because I thought I was the sole recipient ever of a poodle cookie. My mom baked 60 of them for my students (see a photo here: http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff134/layers_of_eli/Cooking/Mom%20meals/poodlecookies2.jpg)

Come to think of it, she must have had a cookie cutter, so I guess there MUST be other folks out there making poodle cookies! I just thought it was the funniest thing.
4. lisaiscooking | July 29, 2009 at 7:30 am | #

These are so cute, but I would eat them anyway! Iced cookies are my favorite. I have several obsessions, collecting cookbooks is one of them.
5. sandra | July 29, 2009 at 8:00 am | #

I love poodles and your ones are super cute. I too have always been fearful of royal icing, but you have given me the confidence to try it out, as to date I have always just tried regular icing to ice my cookies and they dont look very professional.
6. The Duo Dishes | July 29, 2009 at 8:13 am | #

Looks like someone was determined to have her poodle and eat it too!
7. Iron Chef Shellie | July 29, 2009 at 8:23 am | #

hehe i’m giggling first thing in the morning! very cute!
x
8. Trisha | July 29, 2009 at 8:28 am | #

These are so cute and lovable!!!!! This is really creative Lorraine!
9. Angela | July 29, 2009 at 8:43 am | #

Oh, how sophisticated! How elegant! You truely are a girl with class, NQN!
10. Big M | July 29, 2009 at 8:47 am | #

Very cute! When I read the title I thought of something black & fury. What a pleasant surprise
11. Barbara | July 29, 2009 at 8:59 am | #

These cookies made me smile – a big happy smile! How cute are they! I don’t think I’m very obsessive. A bit of a perfectionist. Probably my biggest obsession is making sure the doors are locked before I go to bed. Maybe that’s more old age though.
12. sara | July 29, 2009 at 9:03 am | #

Eeeeeeeeeeeee! So cute! I love these!!
13. Belle@OohLook | July 29, 2009 at 9:07 am | #

I can imagine nibbling a couple of these yummy poodle cookies while dressed in one of those full circle skirts with a poodle embroidered on it!
14. Emma | July 29, 2009 at 9:13 am | #

Dashy sends his warmest thanks for the harem of poodle ladies! They were delicious! x
15. MrsDesperate | July 29, 2009 at 9:17 am | #

Oh these look delicious. My kids love iced, shaped biscuits. My son is an Australia Day baby, so I even have an Aussie one to make green and gold cookies on his birthday. And you’re right, royal icing is great to work with – even for me!
16. Tara | July 29, 2009 at 9:38 am | #

my obsession is slow cooked meals, love them in summer. Also can’t get enough of bubble tea at the moment.

I also obsess about aromatherapy bath bombs, candles, incense, studio ghibli movies, clothes, facebook, blogging… many things really.
17. Meg{Feasting on Art} | July 29, 2009 at 9:39 am | #

These are painfully cute!
18. Laura | July 29, 2009 at 9:49 am | #

Oh, these are just too, too adorable for words . . .

BTW, I saw a fantastic book that showed how to decorate cookies with rolled fondant, which opens all sorts of possibilites in terms of texture and color.
19. Gab* | July 29, 2009 at 9:52 am | #

Awww, they’re totally cute! How are you finding time to bake when you’re moving?!
20. Johanna | July 29, 2009 at 9:58 am | #

so cute – they look like posh pampered poodles – I avoid royal icing because I hate the idea of eating raw egg white but I know it sets so well! I wonder if I could use this dough with my cookie press!
21. Arwen from Hoglet K | July 29, 2009 at 10:06 am | #

They’re awfully cute, and very pretty in pink. You’ll have to give one to Dash.
22. Jackie @ PhamFatale.com | July 29, 2009 at 10:19 am | #

Your cookies look divinely cute. It could belong to Martha’s cookies cookbook. I probably have a new obsession since I got married (my hubby is a vegetarian) Find a wide range of veggie recipes to please my man and turn every “meat” recipe into a veggie one so my husband knows what he’s been missing… like a good ol’ Shepherd’s pie at http://www.phamfatale.com/id_157/title_Vegetarian-Shepherds-Pie-Hachis-Parmentier-Vegetarien/
23. Liss` | July 29, 2009 at 10:32 am | #

Tres cute!! I bought a bumble bee cutter the other day, might give it a go!

I have a different obsession daily. Today it is pappadums, in the microwave – 1 min on high – voila!!
24. manateemel | July 29, 2009 at 10:39 am | #

I ate one of these very cookies at The Second Wife’s house, and I can attest to its deliciousness (and Dash’s adorableness too!). Mmm, poodle goodness…
25. Palidor | July 29, 2009 at 10:45 am | #

Awwww, they are sooooo kawaii!!! You must have an incredible amount of patience to do a detailed icing job like that.
26. Faith | July 29, 2009 at 10:49 am | #

I love these sweet little pink poodles! I’ve never worked with Royal Icing (I was always intimidated also), but I think I’ll give it a try! I must admit, I’m completely obsessive, in many ways!
27. Sophia | July 29, 2009 at 11:02 am | #

hee hee hee! I just posted a picture of cute art cookies, too! soooo adorable.
I definitely have an obsessive personality. And yeah, I basically obsess abt anything and everything.
28. Steph | July 29, 2009 at 11:17 am | #

Oh so cute! I love the way you iced them, it reminds me of that cookie couture stand at the good food & wine show. I go through phases of obsessions about different things, at the moment it is cocoa nibs and cherries!
29. Simon Food Favourite | July 29, 2009 at 11:46 am | #

hehe too cute. love them.
30. Talia | July 29, 2009 at 12:07 pm | #

Ha! I have a poodle cutter too! I collect all sorts of cookie cutters, and the poodle is one of my faves. I tend to make poodle gingerbread, but I will definately try your GORGEOUS decorating technique!!!
31. Yasmin (Almond & The Hazelnut) | July 29, 2009 at 12:09 pm | #

I think if you’re a baker, it’s likely you’re somewhat obsessive! I am obsessed with nuts (yes 100% nuts about nuts – hence the blog name), can’t stop cooking with them, eating them of thinking about them!

I agree, royal does instill the a baking fear of death! But you’re creations are magnificient – and so cute!
32. Alexandra | July 29, 2009 at 12:14 pm | #

How adorable!! I could just eat them up Royal icing does sound scary but after reading this I think I can give it a try!
33. Betty | July 29, 2009 at 12:27 pm | #

These are too cute Lorraine! I have major OCD with regards to cleaning and organising i.e. firstly how to clean and then putting in it’s place, in size/colour order… ermm no, i’m not weird!
34. Ellie@AlmostBourdain | July 29, 2009 at 1:21 pm | #

The pooddles are so CUTE!!! I am way too lazy to have an obsessive personality.
35. foodie-central | July 29, 2009 at 1:29 pm | #

Aww… they look adorable..

My obsession is chocolate. If I open a block of chocolate I can’t stop eating until they are all gone! Very bad for my waistline hehe
36. Conor | July 29, 2009 at 1:34 pm | #

I’ve always thought I’m not a fan of poodles, but now I know that I am, provided they are of the cookie variety. Perhaps I can cure my arachnophobia by making spider cookies?
37. Mei | July 29, 2009 at 1:55 pm | #

hahaha how kitsch! i love how these cookies look oh by the way, i met one of your loyal readers, eve, who was so inspired by you (and her food obsession), she set up her own food blog! http://www.eveloves.com how cool is that?
38. Suze | July 29, 2009 at 1:59 pm | #

The poodle cookies are just too cute. Thanks for the cookie recipe too, I have been wanting to make cookies with some of my cutters, but haven’t been pleased with the recipe I had – now I have no excuses!
39. Tammy | July 29, 2009 at 2:01 pm | #

Oh, they are so cute! I am more than a touch OCD! in relation to too many things to list here. I am obsessed with decorated cookies as well and have a huge cookie cutter collection. I jsut wished that i had more time to practice. where abouts in Christchurch did you see the poodle cookies? My parents live there so I will want to look next time I go down
40. Rosa | July 29, 2009 at 2:58 pm | #

OMG, they are just too cute! You are a great cookie decorator! Amazing!

Cheers,

Rosa
41. Jacq | July 29, 2009 at 3:11 pm | #

Oh these are so adorable! And pink!! I’m not sure if I’m at the point of obsession over iced cookies but I sure love to eat them
42. Karen | July 29, 2009 at 3:38 pm | #

Omg these are adorable! And how did I guess that they were going to be pink?
43. Bria | July 29, 2009 at 3:49 pm | #

Your poodles are very cute! I absolutely love iced biscuits too. I don’t do it often enough but they are so easy to theme around certain events.
44. katie | July 29, 2009 at 5:40 pm | #

They are so so cute! I’m a little afraid of royal icing, but I think I’m gonna suck it up and give it a go!

Katie xox
45. Polka Dot Bride | July 29, 2009 at 7:58 pm | #

These are brilliant! Your talent never ceases to amaze me!
46. Moya | July 29, 2009 at 9:30 pm | #

Awww, these are so cute! Almost too pretty to eat!
47. grace | July 29, 2009 at 9:53 pm | #

so on top of being really cute, i love the hue of that icing! really, i think all cookies should be iced, and if it’s pink, that’s just an added bonus.
48. Panda | July 29, 2009 at 10:47 pm | #

these poodle cookies are adorable!

i find that in the kitchen, i have a habit of wanting everything to absolutely perfect and it drives my mum nuts because all i end up doing is throw a tantrum if things aren’t going to plan!
49. CookiePie | July 29, 2009 at 10:50 pm | #

What perfectly adorable cookies!!! My in-laws have 4 standard poodles – they would love these!
50. Soma | July 29, 2009 at 10:52 pm | #

If my DDs happen to see these cute pink poodles, they will do anything for me to make these, but I am not so good;-( Adorable cookies.
51. Julianna | July 29, 2009 at 11:48 pm | #

I love flooding cookies with royal icing. Yours are adorable.

I love eating cookies even more. I’ve been inspired.
52. 5 Star Foodie | July 30, 2009 at 12:11 am | #

These cookies are totally adorable! So neat!
53. Akila | July 30, 2009 at 2:55 am | #

Ahem, obsessive personality, me? Never. Oh . . . except for that part about needing to organize and clean everything, making copious lists, finding the perfect whole wheat blueberry muffin, and so on.
I love the idea for these! I wish they sold cocker spaniel and beagle cookie cutters. I would make them in a heartbeat. And maybe make a batch of dog cookies for the pups.
54. Christie @ Fig & Cherry | July 30, 2009 at 4:12 am | #

Muy adorable!
55. Jen @ MaplenCornbrea | July 30, 2009 at 6:03 am | #

These are TOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!
56. Nazarina A | July 30, 2009 at 7:54 am | #

This culinary artistry and the ambiance at this restaurant blew me away! And so did your poodle cookies!
57. maris | July 30, 2009 at 8:49 am | #

How cute! These must have been a blast to make!
58. veggiebelly | July 30, 2009 at 9:29 am | #

oh my, these are so cute!!
59. Fiona | July 30, 2009 at 6:55 pm | #

The cookies were a bit hit in our house! With two little girls
there were lots of oohs and ahhs
…and that was just my husband.
60. Suzie | July 30, 2009 at 7:08 pm | #

These are so gorgeous that you need to have a 1950s party immediately and wear a poodle skirt and do the jive to the Comets. I am sooo impressed!
61. Not Quite Nigella | July 30, 2009 at 7:49 pm | #

Hi Blond Duck-Hehe me too! Do you think they’d fit in with the other creatures at the Pond?

Hi Julia-Thankyou! It’s fun once you get the hang of it and do the firmer icing around the outline. Haha I couldn’t have guessed!

Hi Julie-Oh how very cool! That’s brilliant and I like the sugar sprinkles Yes I’m sure there are! They must be buying the cutters online!

Hi lisa-Thanks! Yep me too

Hi sandra-Thankyou! Yes it seems hard but once you get the hang of it it’s fantastic

Hi The Duo Dishes-Hah yes that was me!

Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Hehe thankyou!

Hi Trisha-Aww thankyou!

Hi Angela-What a lovely thing to say Angela-thankyou!

Hi Big M-Haha well these are girlfriends for Dash

Hi Barbara-Cool! That’s wonderful! Ahh that’s a good one! Instincts for survival are always good!

Hi sara-hehe thankyou so much!

Hi Belle-Haha I like your styling idea!

Hi Emma-And a big kiss from me to Dashy, the world’s most gorgeous fluffy creature

Hi MrsDesperate-Thankyou! Aww how sweet is that! I think I have an Australia cutter somewhere too! Yes once you get over your initial fear, it’s wonderful!

Hi Tara-Mmm yumm! Mmm bubble tea! I love taro bubble tea Haha you sound like me! Many, many obsessions…

Hi Meg-Hehe thankyou!

Hi Laura-Thanks so much Ahh yes rolled fondant is lovely and easy! I should do some but I’m rather taken with drawing things in royal icing

Hi Gab-Thankyou! Hehe I baked these before the move It was a busy few days!

Hi Johanna-hehe that was the look I was going for! I don’t know but it’s fairly sturdy so perhaps!

Hi Arwen-I’m sure The Second Wife offered one to him

Hi Jackie-Thankyou so much! Ahh interesting!

Hi Liss-Thanks! Hehe how cute does that sound! Oh yes I do them in the microwave too-better than deep frying!

Hi manateemel-Oh cool! Thankyou so much and so glad that you liked them! Dash is a true darling indeed

Hi Palidor-Hehe thankyou! Funnily enough I’m the least patient person I know but thankyou for your kind words

Hi Faith-Thankyou! Don’t be scared honest! It’s very easy to work with

Hi Sophia-hehe yes! Me too, but that’s not a bad thing is it?

Hi Steph-Thankyou! Oh yes they made some amazing ones! I wonder if they did them with fondant or royal icing? Two good obsessions!

Hi Simon-Thanks!

Hi Talia-Yes I need a bigger box for my cutters Thanks!

Hi Yasmin-That may well be true! Hehe good name for your blog then! Thankyou so much

Hi Alexandra-Thankyou so much! Yes you so could!

Hi Betty-Thanks so much Ahh you see I think that’s a good one. Organisation is good!

Hi Ellie-haha no really? I wouldn’t have thought so!

Hi foodie-central-Thankyou! I think many of us have that very same obsession

Hi Conor-Yes that’s a great idea! I overcame my arachnophobia by having a pet Spider (although I’m still scared of big spiders like Huntsmen).

Hi Mei-Thankyou! Oh that’s fantastic, thanks for letting me know. She’s done a great job!

Hi Suze-Thanks so much! This one is a less sweet recipe as I thought the royal icing was a bit too sweet for a sweet cookie. It’s not as crisp as I’d like but it’s not bad!

Hi Tammy-Thankyou so much! I knew you would from seeing your pics! I saw them at Ballantynes Department store in the food section. They didn’t have a brand on them but they were so cute!

Hi Rosa-Thankyou very much!

Hi Jacq-Thanks so much! Hehe hey that’s good enough for me!

Hi Karen-Hehe well it it’s me I guess!

Hi Bria-Thanks so much! Yes you’re right they so are!

Hi katie-Thankyou! Yes do! It’s lots of fun xxx

Hi Polka Dot Bride-Aww you are too sweet!

Hi Moya-Thankyou very much!

Hi grace-Yes that’s true, an uniced cookie is a naked cookie!

Hi Panda-Thankyou! Hehe I bet you’re not that bad at all!

Hi CookiePie-Thanks so much! Oh really! I bet they’d like these!

Hi Soma-Aww I bet you could do these beautifully! Thankyou!

Hi Julianna-Thankyou very much! Hehe cool!

Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thanks so much!

Hi Akila-Hehe I think so many of us are! Sounds just like me! Ahh yes now that would be very cool indeed Yes I thought of making a dog version for Dash but didn’t know where to start!

Hi Christie-Thanks!

Hi Jen-Thankyou so much!

Hi Nazarina-Hehe thankyou!

Hi maris-Thanks! They were lots of fun indeed

Hi veggiebelly-Thanks so much!

Hi Fiona-That’s wonderful to hear! And I love it that your husband liked them too!

Hi Suzie-Haha great idea! Thankyou!
62. Sophie | July 31, 2009 at 5:31 am | #

Hahahahahahahahahaha,…..I really had to laugh when I saw them: real sugary rose & white poodle cookies! They look so cute!!

Exccellent art work!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,…
63. Jude | July 31, 2009 at 6:05 am | #

I bet the slightly burnt poodle feet are the best part. Having said that, I totally sound Filipino.
kidding.
64. Cakelaw | July 31, 2009 at 8:30 am | #

These are just the sweetest, loveliest little cookies that I have seen ever!!! Absolutely gorgeous. I am an obsessive girlie person, so these cookies, and most things pink and floral and ruffled and cute appeal to me.
65. Koko | July 31, 2009 at 10:39 am | #

These are ADORABLE. What a fabulous idea- too cute!

Wonderful blog, I’m sure I will be a frequent visitor from now on.
66. Indigo | July 31, 2009 at 9:14 pm | #

Suddenly, I NEED a poodle cutter. Your obsessions are gonna sweep the world!
67. Avanika | August 1, 2009 at 2:57 am | #

OMG!! These are soo cute! I wish I could find a poodle cutter too! I just had my first experience with RI, and so I can understand how much trouble this must have been! They look amazing though!
68. Aparna | August 1, 2009 at 4:05 am | #

I’ve never thought of poodles as very attractive, but these pink poodles have made me change my mind!
Mind you, I still like only pink poodles of the edible kind.;)
69. pigpigscorner | August 1, 2009 at 9:31 pm | #

So cute!! and you did a wonderful job on the icing. I’m not brave enough to start decorating my food yet.
70. Not Quite Nigella | August 2, 2009 at 10:14 pm | #

Hi Sophie-hehe thankyou so much! You are too kind

Hi Jude -Hmm I don’t get it?

Hi Cakelaw-Thanks very much! Hehe me too! I’m such a girl

Hi Koko-Thankyou! That’s wonderful to hear! I hope you enjoy the stories!

Hi Indigo -Hehe that’s cool! Everyone needs a poodle cutter!

Hi Avanika-Thanks so much! I found mine on ebay so it was very easy Thankyou so much and just be safe in the knowledge that RI gets easier!

Hi Aparna-hehe cool! Hehe that’s fine, I like the pink edible kind too!

Hi pigpigscorner-Thankyou! I bet it’s not long!
71. ArtemisIII | August 12, 2009 at 10:31 pm | #

These cookies looks so wonderful!

I used to work with royal icing all the time and can understand why people back off from it, from just the name.

But why did you look for a cookie cutter when you can “make” one yourself.

Use a cardboard box (ie from a ceral box, not the corrugated, and pencil in the shape. Cut out and place the stencil on the dough. trace the stencil on the dough with a knife, and voila!

This is great for ALL types of shapes.

Working as a baker, we have to be inventive with our cookies. This helps.
72. Not Quite Nigella | August 13, 2009 at 10:44 pm | #

Hi ArtemisIII-I just fine cutters so much easier although that’s an interesting method and I’ll try that for anything that I can’t find in a cookie form!
73. David & Jeanie Smith | December 29, 2009 at 8:04 pm | #

Dear Nigella,

You wrote “I first saw the idea for these cookies in New Zealand. I went shopping in Christchurch and picked up these adorable poodle cookies…”

I am happy to say that creativecookiecompany.co.nz are the creators of the “poodle” cookies that you wrote about.

If you visit Christchurch, please come to the Christchurch Farmers Market
at:
Riccarton House
16 Kahu Road
Christchurch
Every Saturday from 9am – noon.

We have an extensive range of cookies for all occasions and invite you and your readers to check out our website
http://www.creativecookiecompany.co.nz

Kind regards,

David & Jeanie Smith
‘cookies are not just our product, they are our passion!’