Playful Pooch Treats
These adorable Playful Pooch Treats are delightful cookies that resemble miniature hotdogs, perfect for kids and parties alike! With a buttery base and a pop of color, these treats are not only a feast for the eyes but deliciously sweet too. Shaped like classic hotdogs nestled in fluffy buns, they're topped with colorful coconut relish and striped with bright yellow frosting to mimic mustard. Get ready for a fun baking adventure that's sure to create smiles and spark laughter at your next gathering!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (sifted)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (measured)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure or imitation)
red food coloring
to taste (for coloring dough)
green food coloring
to taste (for coloring coconut)
flaked coconut
3 teaspoons (for topping)
yellow decorator's frosting
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy.
2
Gradually beat in the all-purpose flour and vanilla extract until a smooth dough forms.
3
Remove 1 cup of the dough and knead in red food coloring until evenly blended; cover and chill the remaining plain dough for 1 hour.
4
Once chilled, divide the red dough into 16 equal portions and shape each piece into a 2 1/2 inch hotdog shape, rounding the ends.
5
For the buns, divide the plain dough into 16 portions and shape each into a 3-inch long bun, creating a deep length-wise groove in the center of each to hold the hotdog.
6
Smooth the edges of the buns to give them a polished look.
7
Place the shaped buns 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Nestle the red hotdogs into the grooves of the buns.
8
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the buns are lightly browned.
9
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
10
While cooling, make the pickle relish by placing the flaked coconut and a few drops of green food coloring into a plastic bag. Seal and shake until the coconut is evenly colored.
11
Once the cookies have cooled, sprinkle the green coconut relish around the hotdogs in the buns to resemble pickle relish.
12
Using yellow decorator's frosting, pipe a curvy stripe down the middle of each hotdog to create the appearance of mustard.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Playful Pooch Treats?
Playful Pooch Treats are adorable cookies shaped like miniature hotdogs, featuring a buttery base, coconut relish, and frosting mustard.
Are these actual treats for dogs?
No, these are sweet dessert cookies intended for humans, especially for children and parties.
How many treats does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed to yield 16 individual cookie treats.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
You should preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
The cookies should bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bun edges are lightly browned.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, the plain dough should be covered and chilled for 1 hour before shaping.
What is the base of the cookie dough made from?
The dough consists of softened butter, confectioners' sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract.
How do I create the red hotdog color?
Take 1 cup of the dough and knead in red food coloring until the color is evenly blended.
What size should the hotdog shapes be?
Each red dough portion should be shaped into a 2.5-inch long hotdog shape with rounded ends.
What size should the bun shapes be?
The plain dough portions should be shaped into 3-inch long buns.
How do I assemble the treats before baking?
Create a deep length-wise groove in each plain bun dough piece and nestle the red hotdog dough inside.
Should I grease the baking sheet?
No, the instructions specify placing the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
How far apart should I space the cookies on the tray?
Place the shaped buns 3 inches apart to allow for proper heat circulation.
What is used to make the pickle relish?
The relish is made from flaked coconut mixed with a few drops of green food coloring.
How do I color the coconut for the relish?
Place the coconut and green food coloring in a plastic bag, seal it, and shake until evenly colored.
What represents the mustard on the treats?
Yellow decorator's frosting is used to pipe a mustard-like stripe on each hotdog.
Can I use imitation vanilla extract?
Yes, the recipe allows for either pure or imitation vanilla extract.
When should I add the green coconut relish?
Wait until the cookies have cooled completely before sprinkling the relish around the hotdogs.
How much butter is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1 cup of softened butter.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of measured all-purpose flour.
How much confectioners' sugar is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of sifted confectioners' sugar.
How do I make the mustard look realistic?
Use a piping bag to create a curvy stripe down the middle of each cookie hotdog.
Should the cookies cool on the baking sheet?
The instructions recommend allowing the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
How much dough is set aside for coloring red?
Exactly 1 cup of the prepared dough is removed to be colored red for the hotdogs.
What is the first step in making the dough?
The first step is to cream together the softened butter and confectioners' sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How much coconut do I need for the topping?
You will need 3 teaspoons of flaked coconut.
Does this recipe include any eggs?
No, this is an egg-free cookie recipe.
What gives the buns a polished look?
Smoothing the edges of the plain dough buns before baking provides a more finished appearance.
Is this recipe suitable for kids' parties?
Yes, the playful design makes them perfect for children's gatherings and themed parties.
Can I substitute the yellow frosting?
While yellow decorator's frosting is standard, any yellow-tinted icing that can be piped will work.