Horton Hear(t)s a Who- Cookies.
I am a big fan of Dr. Seuss. Always have been, always will be.
I own a bunch of the books, I have some of the stuffed animals, I even have the Green Eggs and Ham cookbook. Though I’m grateful there is no photographic evidence, about 10 years ago I was even a starbellied sneech for Halloween.
A few years later I followed up with a much more impressive Seuss inspired costume, dressing up as Daisy-head Mayzie. Still no photographic evidence (thank goodness)…
But ever since I can remember, my favourite Dr. Seuss story has always been Horton Hears a Who.
Though I could wax poetic as to my reasons, I think mostly I just really like elephants, and I think Horton is a really cute name for an elephant. Maybe a really cute name for any animal, except possibly the zebra finch I owned a few years ago that I named Horton. He was cute, but annoying. I don’t think that bird could have stopped chirping long enough to hear much of anything, let alone a who.
As the years have passed, I’ve been able to read and understand the words and stories written by Dr. Seuss for more than just face value. There are more complex stories behind the cutesy made up words and tongue twisters.
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
The moral of the story is that everyone matters. No one is insignificant, and no matter who you are or how small you are, you’re important and needed.
The only thing is, when I was a kid… the point was lost on me.
I was too wrapped up in what a beezlenut was, and wondering why the Wickersham brothers were so mean, and trying to figure out how horton was able to talk, being an elephant and all.. and why did the eagle drop the clover in the field full of clover, and why couldn’t anyone hear the whos besides Horton!?
I was a bit of a worrywart as a kid I think. All of that to think about, and I totally didn’t catch the hidden meaning.
Now that I’m older, I appreciate the story. I understand the story.
…and I’m totally excited about the movie coming out. SRSLY? Horton hears a who on the big screen? Awesome.
Now all that has to happen is a decent version of the Lorax, you know.. given that the environment is a really big deal, and everyone is “going green” The Lorax would totally fit in with that.
Anyways..
Taking inspiration from the story and motivation from the feature film being released on the 14th of this month, I decided today to make some special cookies.
Not just Horton Hears a Who- Cookies, but Horton Hearts a Who- Cookies.
After all, it takes quite a big heart and a lot of love to do that much for something you cant even see.
I made them to resemble the little clover that Horton placed Who-ville on, and then worked his hardest to save and protect throughout the entire story.
They’re super simple to make, and they would be a really fun way to let the kids get involved in a fun baking project by letting them do the dipping and dunking!
I baked a batch of coconut shortbread and when they cooled, I dipped them in white chocolate and then into coloured dessicated coconut.
They taste delicious, too.
And they’re even good without the added coconut and white chocolate-
They’re a nice, buttery, crisp but chewy coconut infused cookie.
Delicious!
-A.
Click for the recipe-
Based on a recipe for butter cookies from Epicurious.com
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup)butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups dessicated coconut
In a medium sized bowl, whip together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in the egg and almond extract and whip again until well mixed.
In a second small bowl, stir together the flour, coconut, baking powder and salt. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir until mixed. Dough may become stiff, feel free to mix with your hands, after you’ve thoroughly washed them (I almost always use my hands)
Place dough ball on a sheet of waxed paper and roll into a log. Wrap the dough in the waxed paper and chill for about an hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. While the oven is heating, remove the dough from the fridge and place spoonfuls of it on an ungreased nonstick baking sheet. I rolled mine into balls and flattened them slightly with the bottom of a drinking glass, then used a drinking straw to poke two holes in the center of each cookie. You can bake them as balls, rolled out (a little thicker than 1/4inch) or you can slice it off the chilled dough log and place the slices on the cookie sheet.
Once the oven has heated and you’ve got about 12 cookies on the cookie sheet placed about an inch and a half apart, bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the bottom edges just start to turn golden brown.
This recipe made me about 3 dozen 2 inch cookies.
After you’ve baked the cookies and allowed them to cool, dip them in melted white chocolate. You can dip the whole cookie in if you like, but I went with the half dipped look. Before you allow the chocolate to harden, dip the cookie again into coloured or toasted dessicated coconut and then allow to cool on a sheet of waxed paper before serving or storing.
Cookies will keep about a week with waxed paper sheets between them, sealed in an airtight container in a cool place.
Enjoy!
26 Responses to “Horton Hear(t)s a Who- Cookies.”
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March 8th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I just adored the Lorax! Probably my favorite Dr. Suess story ever.
I loved Horton Hears a Who too… I can’t wait to see the movie! Those cookies look delicious, and very adorable!
March 8th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Aw, I love the current version of The Lorax! Those cookies are adorable.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Simply adorable!
March 8th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Horton Hears a Who is right up there as one of my favorite childhood stories. The Sugar Mouse Cake (book) is a top contender as well and a great inspiration for sugar/cake artists. Anyway, I never, ever go to the movies or watch TV but when I heard this movie was coming out I got quite excited about it and am eager to see it. I will probably wait to enjoy it at home when it comes out on DVD though
Nice to know that others feel about Horton as I do. Love that you honored him with delicious cookies!
March 8th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
These are so adorable! The pink coconut is made of win ^__^
Love the new site, too!
March 9th, 2008 at 3:49 am
I absolutely love these cookies! Just adorable! I’m glad I stumbled upon your site. Great photography and stories to go along with it! Really well done. Also, I used to live in Seattle, in Greenlake, and I miss it so so much! I hope you’re enjoying your time there!
March 9th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I think I saw those little button cookies somewhere recently. Very cute. I think all kids get lost on the “lessons” taught by Dr. Seuss books. We only have come to realize the lessons as we read them to our kids as adults!
March 9th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Awwh, they look well cute ^__^
I want to sit there with a plate of them and just go “om nom nom nom nom” and scoff them all
March 9th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Cutest cookie idea ever!! I’m smitten!
March 11th, 2008 at 3:37 am
While these do look absolutely delicious, I felt compelled to comment so that I could share my favorite Dr. Seuss story - I think it’s called “What Was I Afraid Of?” and is about a pair of green pants with nobody inside them that goes around terrorizing the neighborhood and scaring the poor Seuss-creatures out of their wits. Hahaha Dr. Suess’ dark side! Read it if you ever have a chance!
By the way, I love your new site!!!!
March 11th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Hihihihihi….Sooo cute……Simply adorable.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I loved the Seuss stories as a kid. My favorites were Horton, the Lorax and one about turtles in a pond…. I love your cookies and the inspiration for them. Well done.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Dr Seuss is the greatest philospher of our time. And these cookies…look like they would help with the philosophizing.
Yum!
March 13th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Oh I love Dr. Seuss as well. These cookies are the cutest!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Very cute. I’m curious - how do you color coconut?
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dear Muffin,
I just saw on your homepage that you are in the hospital. I hope that you are okay or at least will be.
Please know that I am sending positive vibes your way.
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
What a lovely inspiration for a cookie! I absolute adore the coloured dessicated coconut; adds a cute touch to it
March 27th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Those are so cute! I’m looking forward to seeing this movie.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:48 am
Hi from Spain again…
i wondered why there went so many days without you posting anything, so, since your layout etc is new, i went to the section ‘home’, and there i read what your husband wrote.. well..
I hope it’s nothing awful, your husband said you’re getting better, so i hope a lot’s of ‘who’s’ help you in your healing process, and that you recieve a lot of love form your beloved ones!
My best wishes for good healing!
Hugs,
Diana
April 5th, 2008 at 3:00 am
[…] helpful for the diet? Horton Hearts a Who cookies. I may have blogged about these before, but am way too lazy (and drowning in links) to find out […]
April 29th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Is muffin oke?
May 1st, 2008 at 10:16 pm
new tasty little thing soon?
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:07 am
Your site is really nice :). This is my first time here and I was pleasantly surprised to come across this particular post. This is so darn cute and creative! I love these kind of desserts :).
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
YOU”E MADE THE SWITCH, well done. I am in the process, but lack some serious courage. Do you have some pointers that will help to take calm my fears,please.
Love the heart cookies, they look scrumptious.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Since I am a Horton I have to try these way cute cookies(I love Horton as well! I named m blog after it!) I think my kids would love to make these to!
July 4th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Hi muffin…
I’m sorry for your illness..
I’m not afraid that you wont be posting recipes, rather I feel sorry for what you may be going through, and that you’ll leave ‘us’.
I knew you only through recipes, but I was used to read twice a week something of you.. so.. i dunno what you’ve got, but i hope you’ll get good soon, send you good luck and happyness in you ‘new’ life, and wishing you all the best!
bye bye from spain