Our office had a Kentucky Derby potluck last week, so I thought what better dessert to bring than Kentucky Derby horse-shaped cookies?!
I love cookies and besides eating them, I especially love decorating them! It is so easy to turn a plain cookie into part of the decorations and celebration! With Cookie Icing, Ready-to-Use Icing Tubes and a few other items, I was able to create decorated cookies quickly!
Start with a horse cookie cutter, roll out your favorite sugar cookie recipe, and cut out the horse shapes. Put them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake until slightly golden brown. After cooling them completely on a cooling grid, you are ready to decorate them.
I used White Cookie Icing, heated it slightly in the microwave according to the instructions, and added a little brown icing color. I replaced the cap and shook it until the color was well blended. I then outlined the cookies and filled the shape in with the icing.
After placing a Candy Eyeball on the horse, I can now “see” my horse coming together!
I used tip #29 and a coupler ring and attached the tip to a brown Ready-to-Use Icing Tube and piped the manes and tails.
To pipe the horseshoes on the horses, I used tip #5 and a coupler ring and attached the tip to a black Ready-to Use-Icing Tube.
I could have been done, but I wanted to add a little more color and give the cookies more of a Kentucky Derby theme, so I continued on with fondant.
To make the number tags for the horses, start with white fondant and add a little icing color and then knead it in until you achieve the desired color. I used fondant to make the green tags. (Be sure to put the fondant in a baggie with the icing color or wear disposable gloves so you do not stain your hands!) Roll it out using a rolling pin and a little confectioner’s sugar and cut little squares using the cutter/embosser.
For another flavor option, use soft fruity taffy candy for the number tags. Just microwave for a short time to make them pliable and follow the same steps as the fondant. I tried this method on the orange and pink number tags.
Stamp the fondant with Number Cut-Outs™, just slightly as to not cut through the fondant. Roll a little fondant in your hand to make a small piece and then another to form the bridle. Press them into the icing. If it does not adhere to the cookie, just add a little of the cookie icing to the back of the fondant and lightly press it onto the horse.
And they’re off…..
Paula is a Wilton Customer Service Key Account Rep and a Certified Wilton Method Instructor. She has been with Wilton since 2009. Her love of creating things and using Wilton products started in high school when she began making candy. Outside of Wilton, Paula enjoys family time with her husband and two daughters. She loves baking, decorating, and making candy for family, friends, and coworkers. 
wow, you just keep going!!! these are adorable!! Wish I could have had one, looks so yummy!!!
Hi Rose!
Thank you! They were so easy to decorate!
These were as good as they were great to look at!! Great job Pauls, they added the perfect touch to our Derby Day!!
Hi Chandra!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! They look like even I could make them!
Hi Josette!
Thank you! Yes, you could make them!!!! I bet you and your niece would have a great time making them!
PAULA, THOSE HORSES ARE SO CUTE! THERE ARE STILL TWO MORE RACES. I’M GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THEM.
Hi Pat!
Thank you! Give them a try!
Happy Baking!
Horses can be a craft for anyone who is a member of a Pony Club of America. The kids could decorate them to match their own horse. They would love doing as well as eating the cookie.
Thanks from another Horse Lover.
Hi Perfect Cake!
Great suggestions! I’m glad you enjoyed my blog!
Love it! Next year, huh! 🙂
Hi Sweet Tea with Cindy!
I’m glad you enjoyed my blog! Happy Baking!
[…] along the lines of the cutter/cookie because it gave me the confidence to adapt a more juvenile horse cutter I already had into a pony that I knew she’d […]
Hi Paula,
I have a pony party business and I am going to give these a try for party treats- they are adorable and look easy enough.
I am not much of a baker so I’m hoping they are pretty easy.
Do you use the Wilton roll- out recipe for the cookies??
thank you so much and do you have any other horsey cookie ideas?
Kim Forsberg