These Highland Cow Cookies are the perfect blend of charming and delicious—soft, buttery sugar cookies decorated to look like the iconic shaggy Highland cows of the Scottish countryside. With their long fringes, sweet little horns, and big, doughy eyes, these cookies are a huge hit with kids, perfect for farm-themed parties, baby showers, or just a fun afternoon in the kitchen.
Whether you use a cow-shaped cutter or decorate round cookies with piped “fur,” this recipe keeps things easy and creative, making it a great baking activity for all ages.
What You’ll Need
For the Sugar Cookies (makes 18–24 cookies):
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Decorations:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting), room temp
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Brown, tan, and pink gel food coloring
- Candy eyes
- Mini fondant or piped horns (white or light gray)
- Piping bags + small star or grass tips (like Wilton #233)
Pro Tips for Decorating Success
🐄 Use chilled dough for clean cookie cutter shapes
🧈 Whip the buttercream well for smooth piping and fluffy fur
🌈 Gel food coloring gives richer color without thinning the frosting
👧 Let kids help decorate—they’ll love adding the “fringe” and eyes!
🧊 Chill cookies after frosting to help decorations set beautifully
Tools You’ll Need
- Cow-shaped or round cookie cutter
- Electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheets + parchment
- Piping bags
- Small piping tips (#233 or small star tip)
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
Substitutions & Variations
🌾 Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour
🌱 Dairy-free? Use plant-based butter and milk alternatives
🌸 Make it springy! Add a flower crown or pastel colors for a Highland cow with flair
🎃 Fall version: Add plaid scarves or tiny fondant pumpkins
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cookie dough can be made and chilled for up to 3 days
- Baked cookies freeze well (unfrosted) for up to 2 months
- Buttercream can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week—rewhip before piping
How to Make Highland Cow Cookies
Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Dough
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients until dough forms.
- Divide and chill dough for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Roll, Cut & Bake
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut into cow or round shapes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Buttercream Frosting
- Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk gradually.
- Divide and color frosting in light brown, dark brown, tan, and pink.
Step 4: Decorate the Cows
- Pipe long buttercream “fringe” across the top third of the cookie using a star or grass tip.
- Add candy eyes below the fringe.
- Pipe a pink oval nose and place horns above the hair. Add any extra details (flowers, ears, scarves).
Leftovers & Storage
- Store decorated cookies in a container at room temp for 2–3 days
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days if using dairy-based buttercream
- Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months
Final Thoughts
These Highland Cow Cookies are a sweet tribute to one of the most beloved animals in the farm world—shaggy, expressive, and full of charm. Whether you’re baking them for a themed party or just for fun, these cookies bring joy with every little fringe and frosting swirl.
💬 Did you give your cows flower crowns or cute scarves? I’d love to hear how yours turned out—drop a comment and tell me what made your herd moo-tiful! 🐮🍪🧡
Leave a Reply