These adorable Eid Adha Sheep Chocolate Cookies are a festive and heartwarming addition to your Eid al-Adha celebration. Made with a rich, chocolatey dough and decorated to resemble cheerful little sheep, they bring charm and sweetness to your dessert table. Whether you’re baking for children, family gatherings, or preparing homemade gifts, these cookies are a delightful way to honor the spirit of the holiday with creativity and joy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies are as fun to make as they are to share. The cocoa-based dough offers a deep, chocolate flavor and a perfect texture for decorating. Each cookie is lovingly detailed with melted chocolate, royal icing, and fondant to resemble a festive sheep—making them ideal for celebrating Eid al-Adha, where sheep hold special symbolic significance. With a soft interior and crisp edges, these cookies are not only visually charming but also deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For decorating:
- Melted milk chocolate (for the face)
- Royal icing (white for wool; black and white for eyes)
- Pink fondant (for heart)
- Brown fondant or melted chocolate (for ears)
- Flower-shaped cookie cutter
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use a flower-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are set. Let cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Once cooled, use melted milk chocolate to create a circular shape in the center of each cookie for the sheep’s face.
- Pipe white royal icing tufts around the edges to mimic fluffy wool.
- Add small dots of black and white royal icing for eyes.
- Shape ears from brown fondant or use small amounts of melted chocolate to create them.
- Finish each cookie with a pink fondant heart for a festive touch.
- Allow all decorations to set before serving or packaging.
Servings and timing
Servings: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Calories per cookie: Approximately 220 kcal
Variations
- Different shapes: Use round cookie cutters for a classic sheep shape if a flower cutter isn’t available.
- Flavored dough: Add a touch of cinnamon or espresso powder for added depth.
- Colorful decoration: Add food coloring to royal icing for more vibrant sheep features or headscarves.
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute for dietary needs.
- Simplify decoration: Use mini candy eyes and sprinkles for faster assembly with children.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing (undecorated): Freeze cookies before decorating for up to 1 month. Thaw and decorate as desired.
- Freezing (decorated): Freeze between parchment sheets in an airtight container, though delicate decorations may be affected.
- Reheating: These cookies are best served at room temperature and are not intended for reheating.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Let it soften slightly before rolling.
What’s the best cocoa to use?
Use unsweetened Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
Can I use store-bought icing?
Yes, pre-made royal icing can be used for convenience, especially when baking with kids.
How long do decorated cookies take to set?
Allow 2–4 hours for royal icing and fondant to fully set at room temperature.
Are these cookies good for gifting?
Absolutely. Once set, they pack well in cookie boxes or cellophane bags with a festive ribbon.
Can I color the fondant?
Yes, gel food coloring works best for tinting fondant without affecting its texture.
What can I use if I don’t have royal icing?
You can use a thick powdered sugar glaze, though it won’t have the same detailing capabilities.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
It is not required, but chilling for 15–30 minutes can help with cleaner cookie cutter edges.
Can I make them nut-free?
Yes, the base recipe is nut-free. Just check labels on decorating ingredients if allergies are a concern.
How can I involve kids in the process?
Let them help with cookie cutting, spooning the chocolate, or placing fondant hearts and eyes for hands-on fun.
Conclusion
Eid Adha Sheep Chocolate Cookies are a charming and meaningful addition to your Eid celebration. With their rich cocoa base and whimsical decorations, these cookies are a joyful blend of creativity, tradition, and sweet indulgence. Whether enjoyed with family or shared as thoughtful gifts, they’re a delicious and delightful way to celebrate the spirit of Eid al-Adha.
Eid Adha Sheep Chocolate Cookie
These cute and festive Eid al-Adha Sheep Chocolate Cookies are made with rich cocoa dough and decorated with chocolate, royal icing, and fondant to resemble adorable sheep—perfect for gifting or celebrating in style.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Melted milk chocolate (for the face)
- Royal icing (white for wool, black and white for eyes)
- Pink fondant heart
- Brown fondant or chocolate for ears
- Flower-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract; mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a flower-shaped cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Once cooled, pipe or spoon melted milk chocolate in the center for the sheep’s face.
- Use royal icing to add wool tufts and eyes. Add ears using fondant or chocolate, and finish with a pink fondant heart for a festive touch.
- Allow icing and decorations to set before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Chill dough before cutting for cleaner shapes.
- Decorate with kids for a fun family activity.
- Cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg