Name: Hedgehog Cookies...Almost Too Cute to Eat!
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 12 oz butter ((unsalted, room temperature)); 1 cup sugar; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ tsp salt; 8 oz chocolate ((chopped)); 1 cup almond slices ((for decoration, as needed))

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These hedgehog cookies are almost too cute to eat. However, they’re made from a yummy shortbread recipe, so they’re too tasty not to!

Earlier this month, the Food Bloggers of Los Angeles held their annual cookie swap, which I missed due to preparing to take a last minute trip to Germany.

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I saw photos of all the bloggers’ wonderful cookies, but the baby hedgehog cookies I spotted which were made by my friend, Cathy, who writes at She Paused 4 Thought, were the cutest edible things I think I’ve ever seen! As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted to make them, and I finally got a chance yesterday.

Another delicious recipe: Back to School Cookies

Hedgehog Cookies

I used Cathy’s recipe, but omitted the spices to make a regular sugar cookie, and although I’m terrible at shaping or molding things, I think my baby hedgehog cookies turned out pretty well. I didn’t have toffee bits, so I used slivered and chopped almonds (the chopped are similar to the toffee bits, and easier to use) to create two different looks, as you can see from the photos.

When I was in Germany at the Christmas markets, I was looking for a gift for my daughter’s friend who loves animals. I came across this adorable hedgehog and knew it would be perfect for her. I just had to add it to my cookie shots–isn’t it sweet?

I encourage you to visit Cathy’s website, She Paused 4 Thought. Honestly, you will just love her recipes and photography as she is a top-notch cook, photographer and is talented in so many other ways! She’s also a fabulous friend. 💜

Hedgehog Cookies

Slightly adapted from Cathy Arkle (She Paused 4 Thought) makes about 18 hedgehogs

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

butter
sugar
vanilla extract
all-purpose flour
salt
semi-sweet chocolate

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Directions for the Hedgehog Cookie Dough

In a smaller bowl, sift the flour and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the butter and granulated sugar until they are just coming together, then add the vanilla.

Add the sifted dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together.

Put the dough out onto a floured counter and bring it together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Shape pieces of dough into a hedgehog shape and place on a silicone sheet lined tray.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the hedgehogs are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.

Directions for Decorating the Hedgehogs.

Melt the chocolate gradually in the microwave (use the defrost function)

Coat the back of the cooled cookies and add almond slivers as seen in the photos. Make two eyes, and a nose with the chocolate.

Allow to set completely before serving or placing in a tin to store. These freeze perfectly.

Some other tasty cookie recipes for autumn, besides classic Scottish shortbread ~

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Caramel Oat Crisps

Hedgehog Cookies...Almost Too Cute to Eat!

Servings: to 20

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 20

Additional Time: 15

Total Time: 1

Adorable shortbread cookies shaped like hedgehogs.

4.8 from 6 votes

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