A Cookie Bulldog

One of my favorite childhood cartoons was Tom & Jerry, especially the earlier episodes (pre-1960). It's awesome that my own young kids love Tom & Jerry as much as I did. Once I hear the theme song during the opening credits, I stop what I am doing and watch with my kids. Because yes, my kids and I bond over Jerry getting the best of Tom. My kids are fascinated by all the traps the characters set for each other. And before I know it, my kids are asking me for refrigerator boxes, wooden planks, a broom, a mousetrap, and an anvil.  Yeah, good luck with that one.

I had the lucky opportunity to create a dog-themed cookie collection, and wanted to add a few new dog designs to my repertoire. It just so happened that an episode of Tom & Jerry was on the tv, and Spike was in the episode too! If you've seen T&J, you'll know Spike- the big bulldog who is the forever champion of Jerry. Spike seemingly gets in the middle of the Tom-chasing-Jerry antics, when all he wants to do is take a nap. The inspiration for my new bulldog cookie was barking at me from my tv, and I couldn't wait to get started!  ​

First, I started with the tulip and skull cutter from Sweet Sugarbelle's shape-shifter set. Need one? Get the set here.

Use the small part of the skull cutter to remove the middle petal on the tulip. You're left with the perfect bulldog head shape! Now, bake your cookies.

You'll need the following icing colors/consistencies to make these pups:
* Gray royal icing in a 20-second consistency and a piping consistency. I hated mixing gray colors, until I found ProGel gray. Game changer! It's the perfect gray!
* White royal icing in a 20-second consistency
* Black royal icing in a 20-secong consistency

Let's get started!

1. Use the 20-second gray royal icing to pipe the forehead and chin. Allow to dry.

2. Use the same icing to pipe the droopy jaws and the triangles that will become  the underside of the ears. Allow to dry.

3. Pipe the outer edges of the ears in gray. Use the gray piping consistency to make the forehead wrinkles and dots on the jaws. Make his nose and gleaming white teeth. Allow to crust.

4. Pipe the lower eye lid in gray. Wait a few minutes to allow it to crust. Now, finish the eye with the white and black royal. You're done!

Not only is the bulldog a popular breed for pet owners, the bulldog is a mascot of many high schools and colleges. It's the mascot of one of my local high schools, and I anticipate that this doggy will make his way on to some graduation platters in the spring.

Another great idea is to put together a collection of doggy-themed cookies to say "Thanks" to a local dog rescue or SPCA.  Because everyone likes cookies.

Find out how to make the schnauzer/terrier here.
See the original pug design from Flower Box Bakery here.

I guess I might have to make a beagle tutorial soon. . . :)