Monday, December 10, 2012

Rudolph Nose Cookies

I grew up with these adorable (and ridic tasty) cookies my entire life during Christmastime.  My Mom always went above and beyond to try and think of creative and fun treats for each holiday and this was no exception.  Our family (of two) decided to make these this year and it was so much fun.  

When Charlie suggested doing these cookies together, I wasn't totally sure I wanted to.  The last time I baked with him, this happened:

I'm glad I gave him a second chance because these came out just perfect.  I am smiling thinking of him reading this...because I'm actually the hazard in the kitchen.  I baked him a cake a couple weeks ago for his birthday and it was a DEEEESAAASSSSTTTERRR.  We're still finding butter and flour in the oddest of places.

These took us about 2 hours to make, start to finish.  There are lots of little tasks (cutting marshmallows, cutting cherries in half, etc) so this is definitely a twofer bake job.  Which I actually love, because it's fun to bake together, especially around the holidays.

Don't these look JUST like Rudolph Noses?

These are pillowy soft and the icing is almost fudge like.  I've already eaten THREE today.  Good gracious get these suckers out of here. 

Rudolph Noses Recipe: 

1.5 Cups All Purpose Flour 
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda 
1/2 Tsp Salt
2/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar 
1/2 Cup Shortening
1 egg
1/4 Cup Maraschino Cherry Juice
2 T Half & Half (or Milk)
4 Oz Unsweetened Chocolate, Melted
1/4 Cup Chopped Maraschino Cherries
18 Jumbo Marshmallows - cut in half

6 Tbs of Butter 
3 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa 
1/4 Cup of Half & Half 
2 Tsp of Vanilla 
18 Maraschino Cherries, Sliced in Half 

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream together brown sugar, shortening, and egg until fulling incorporated.  In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.  Add cherry juice, half and half, melted chocolate, and chopped cherries.  Cut marshmallows in half and set aside.  Drop rounded tablespoon of mixture onto two ungreased cookie sheets. You want to make 36 cookies total.  Bake for 12-15 minutes.  These are cake-like cookies, so a good way to check is to insert a toothpick into one of the cookies.  If it comes out clean, they are done.  Immediately after taking cookies out of the oven, press a marshmallow half (sticky side down) into the center of each cookie.  The heat from the cookie will help adhere the marshmallow.  Let these cool.  To prepare the icing, get a heavy/good quality pan and melt the butter over low-medium heat.  Add the rest of the ingredients (except cherries) and stir over the stove top until everything is nice and smooth and begins to thicken (about 5-7 minutes).  Pour icing into a glass bowl and let it cool for 10 minutes or so.  You want to begin icing while it's still warm but not hot, otherwise it won't stay on the marshmallow.  With a frosting knife or back of a spoon, ice each marshmallow, careful to not let any white show through.  Top with a cherry half to complete Rudolph's nose.  If the icing begins to crystallize too much, you can heat it in the microwave for 10-15 minutes.  We did this about 2-3 times during the process, FYI.

Stay hungry!


  1. So cute and they look delicious!! I'm dying at that picture...oops!

  2. Bahahahah Charlie. Amazing picture.

    These look so yummy! You little baker you!


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