Hedgehog Cookies

Recipe View 5 mins In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 7 mins In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the sugar, shortening, and corn syrup until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. (7 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 45 mins Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, to chill. This will make the dough easier to handle. (30-60 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 15 mins Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and shape them into teardrops. Flatten the pointed end of each teardrop slightly to create the hedgehog's face. (15 minutes)

Recipe View 3 mins Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. (3 minutes)

Recipe View 11 mins Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. (10-12 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 6 mins While the cookies are cooling, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. (5-7 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Once the cookies are cool and the chocolate is melted, dip the rounded end of each cookie into the melted chocolate, coating about two-thirds of the cookie. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Immediately press the chocolate-covered portion of each cookie into the finely chopped pecans, ensuring they adhere well to create the hedgehog's 'fur'. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 30 mins Place the decorated cookies on a sheet of waxed paper to allow the chocolate to set completely. (30 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Transfer the remaining melted chocolate to a piping bag or a small plastic bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe small dots of chocolate onto the flattened end of each cookie to create the hedgehog's eyes and nose. (10 minutes)