After a year full of bunnies, bunnies and more bunnies, (and actually one more "bunnies" that i'll be posting about later this week or next), I was challenged with the start of the new year by the next animal in the Chinese zodiac - The Dragon. This was for a close girlfriend's baby shower and the specific requests were "nothing baby, cute or shower-like."
My face ==> ^^? + =O
What I came up with:
He's actually a little cute. And blue. So I've gone against 2 requests. And he's a baby dragon. So I broke all 3. Well, good thing we're good friends and I don't really listen to rules.
He's not as fierce as I originally imagined him...and a little chubby. But oh-so chocolate-y. I lovemaking eating chocolate cookies. (I've been really diligent taste testing when its a chocolate batch). So I think she forgave me after she ate him. Although she did explicitly ask me why I made dragons: "...because your baby will be born in the year of the dragon..." to which she responded "oh...and I thought you were just trying to be all original and creative and do whatever you wanted." Oh, she knows me so well.
Because of all the subtle components of this cookie, I documented each step for those wanting to try. To get that compartmentalized look was a delicate and strategic icing version of paint by numbers. You have to wait until each section is dry before you start on it's adjacent neighboring sections...but you don't want to be icing all night. It's all about efficiency people! I'm all about efficiency people! And after all is said and done, I can throw down my icing bags in satisfaction and think "this is what a $150K+ college degree is all about baby!"
What you'll need:
So I always start with a sketch. It's the obsessive in me. I need a map before I drive right?
Here's the original 3 drawings starting from the first one on the yellow post it and then go counter clockwise:
You like how it's on the back of a used up cardboard container? Whatever works.
To make your "dragon" cookie:
You'll need the cutters I listed above.
Cut out a teddy bear and place on your parchment lined baking sheet.
Then using your mini triangle, cut out 2 "wings" and a scale" atop the head like so:
Piece them together on the baking sheet. They should all fit together like a puzzle:
Get all the dough pieces close together but since the dough spreads slightly while baking, they will all merge together anyways like this:
Left foot:
Bottom 1/2 of face:
Adding the first "scale" atop his head:
And then all gussied up on from an iphone app on my girlfriend's phone:
(do dragons rowr?)
My face ==> ^^? + =O
What I came up with:
He's actually a little cute. And blue. So I've gone against 2 requests. And he's a baby dragon. So I broke all 3. Well, good thing we're good friends and I don't really listen to rules.
He's not as fierce as I originally imagined him...and a little chubby. But oh-so chocolate-y. I love
Because of all the subtle components of this cookie, I documented each step for those wanting to try. To get that compartmentalized look was a delicate and strategic icing version of paint by numbers. You have to wait until each section is dry before you start on it's adjacent neighboring sections...but you don't want to be icing all night. It's all about efficiency people! I'm all about efficiency people! And after all is said and done, I can throw down my icing bags in satisfaction and think "this is what a $150K+ college degree is all about baby!"
What you'll need:
- baby blue medium consistency icing fitted with a #3 tip
- red medium consistency icing fitted with a #3 tip
- khaki medium consistency icing fitted with a #3 tip
- light grey stiff consistency icing fitted with a #2 tip
- teddy bear cookie cutter (mine is from the Wilton baby set found here)
- mini scalloped triangle cutter (mine is from another Wilton mini set found here)
So I always start with a sketch. It's the obsessive in me. I need a map before I drive right?
Here's the original 3 drawings starting from the first one on the yellow post it and then go counter clockwise:
You like how it's on the back of a used up cardboard container? Whatever works.
To make your "dragon" cookie:
You'll need the cutters I listed above.
Cut out a teddy bear and place on your parchment lined baking sheet.
Then using your mini triangle, cut out 2 "wings" and a scale" atop the head like so:
Piece them together on the baking sheet. They should all fit together like a puzzle:
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| Note that this was my first attempt and I thought it was better to have the top piece above the head slightly askew. I later changed my mind so all subsequent pictures have the top piece centered. |
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| Pre-oven |
Get all the dough pieces close together but since the dough spreads slightly while baking, they will all merge together anyways like this:
 |
| Post baking |
Make sure they've COMPLETELY cooled and then start with the icing.
Right foot:
Left foot:
 |
| I'm a lefty so I always rotate when doing the other side. It's just easier. Do whatever is comfortable for you. On a sidenote, when I was in the 2nd grade, my teacher told me that if I were born in the 1800s I would have been burned on the stake and accused of witchcraft just by being left handed. That really scared me. |
Bottom 1/2 of face:
Moving onto belly but only piping alternate sections:
Adding the first "scale" atop his head:
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Then the wings:
Fill in the remaining sections of the belly:
And then the rest of the body:
Next finish the top 1/2 of the face (by now your bottom half of the face should be somewhat dry):
Also go back in with a toohpick to clean up any sharp corners. The toothpick is a cookie icer's best friend!
I add 2 long dots for the snout:
And three long dots on each foot for the toes:
Add eyes, wing detail and claws on toes for the finished product:
Dragons everywhere!
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ROWR!!!(do dragons rowr?)
WOW - now I REALLY owe you one.
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