Oh my gosh… I love how these cookies turned out. I’ve been wanting to make little whales for about a month now. It started with a cookie cutter that I bought on clearance after Christmas.
I saw a bunch of these little Santa cutters and decided I absolutely needed one more … you know for next year.
But, when I grabbed it, I must have picked it up sideways because I totally forgot all about Santa. I think I was imprinted or something. This was now my new whale cookie cutter and I haven’t been able to get making them out of my head. So, I decided to turn them into a super sweet packaged treat for Valentine’s Day.
And, also because I like to play.
Okay … here we go. It all starts with the cookie dough. And I love using this recipe from my friend Bridget at Bake at 350. It’s always a dream to use. No sticky dough. And if you need cookie decorating help, her book is awesome!
Now my Santa/Whale cookie cutter wasn’t completely perfect. When turned sideways, I needed to cut off part of that little hump from the hat and move it to the right so it would be closer to where the whale’s spout should be for decorating. Not a must, but I thought it made a difference.
I went light blue for these little guys.
Outline the whale bodies first with royal icing.
Then fill them in with flood icing consistency and let dry. When all dry, you can define the fins with more of the outline icing.
Then, since my whales were blue, I used white icing for the steam from the whale’s spout.
But that’s not all. These whales have a lot of heart.
… and they needed to be decorated in pink royal icing of course.
…And topped off with sweet pink heart sprinkles for their mouths, too. Then you just need a black edible ink pen for their eyes and smiles. That makes these cookies pretty easy to decorate. They are basically one color cookies which is right up my alley
P.S. This is the first time I haven’t complained about my piping. I think I’m getting a little better each time I try decorated cookies. But my hearts sunk a bit. I need to work on that.
So that’s the cookie overview. But, that’s not all.
I made custom treat bags to so they’d be extra sweet. The bags I used are 3.75″ X 6″ and I just trimmed off some of the top. The tags are just folded over and attached on top of the bag.
I also made a downloadable pdf for the whale and treat bag tags so you can make them, too.
Oh, and I went ahead and fixed the whale shape if you want to use it as a template to cut out your cookies.
Or … here’s a cutter I found online that looks similar. And the heart cutters were similar to the one in this mini set.
See. Whale cute!
Like whale, whale cute!
Hope they made you smile!
And hope you have a whale good day!
P.S. This version is included in the pdf also, so you can give them away any time of the year.
Valentine whale cupcakes, could you share where you purchased the Santa cookie cutter. The links are not working. Also, I would like to customize the label for a baby shower. Is there a printable label template that you used?
I just made an order of these and they are so cute!!! I’m obsessed! The printable bag toppers were a huge help too!
These cookies are so cute. I am planning to work your magic today and share them with my hairdresser’s 5 yr old daughter.
I am planning to make these whale cookies for a baby shower which happens to be a nautical theme. I would love to use your bag tag and write something else. Is it possible to send me the template without the wording or to say: thanks for whaling by to celebrate. It will be very much appreciated.
Thank you again.
Genius, ty for sharing this wonderful creation
So cute! If you fill the hearts and put them under a fan they wont sink!! Cookiers call it crater-hate! haha :)
Please can you help me to find mini whale cookie cutters? I checked the links you suggested.. They don’t have it. Thank you so much!!
Soooooo Cute but how long to we cook them in the oven and do we put the frosting before or after we make it
These cookies are too cute! I have just started my own baking blog and would seriously love it if you checked it out!
http://improvisedbaking.blogspot.com.au/
You should make videos ! Your candy coating is unbelievably smooth .. No matter what I do or what I add , it’s always still so thick ????
Love, love these whale cookies and thinking they would be so cute for an end of the year beach party for elementary age kiddos. :o)
These are adorable! I wish I had seen them in time for Valentines day. Instead I made these heart-shaped mini chocolates;
http://myownbakeoff.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/terrys-chocolate-orange-hearts.html
I am in awe of your creativity! Love the whales and the valentine’s message. Especially nice for those who aren’t loving the hearts and the pinks, reds, etc.
Adorable!
I tried making these today. What size tip do you use for the piping. Mine was apparently WAY too big. Plus, I don’t understand how you get the hearts on. Did you place them while the icing was still wet? I tried that and they didn’t go on straight. Do you use tweezers or have really small fingers? How did you ice the small hearts? Flooding?! I am so confused! This is all very new to me. Never tried this before. Thanks!!
I made these as part of my Valentine cookies. They turned out great. Thanks for the great idea.
Wow. Wow. Wow these little whales are divine. Amazing work- you are very talented:)
Wow….looking so cute. I would love to eat these whales……………..:) :)
How you attached top of the bag. Stapler or something?
Whale cute :)! Do you have your recipe for the royal icing for piping/flooding?
Now I know why I don’t have a speck of creativity. You literally have it all. So adorable.
Adorable!!!
THIS IS SO ADORABLE! As much as I wished I was good at decorating cookies, I would definitely mess this up right away.
I’m in love with how cute these cookies look!
Susan | SusanLoves…
Um, you are a genius. These are perfect! <3
Thanks for the wonderful sugar cookie recipe. It was great and your little whales were so cute!
I am so excited; I bought the exact same cutter on clearance too! Now I can’t wait to make some whale-y cute cookies for my munchkins! THANK YOU!
The cuteness you come up with never ceases to amaze me. Definitely made me smile! :)
OMG! These are so so cute! :D
These look so cute, and delicious too! Definitely perfect for a treat bag :)
I love these! Super cute.
Are you kidding?!?!?! These are soooooo cute!!
These are just too cute! You are truly talented!!
Sam xx
http://www.smart-twenties.com
So freaking cute!!!
Awww, these are absolutely precious! One of your best creations, I think. And such a nifty use for a Christmas cookie cutter. :)
These could not be any cuter! I love that blue colour and the little pink hearts in the corner of their smiles is such a perfect touch. Love, love, love!
Such a clever way to use the cutter. So cute!
Oh my goodness! I whaley love them.
Awesome!
You are a genius!
Oh my goodness these are adorable!! Thank you for sharing your creativity, I admire you a great deal!
I just found my cookie cutter just like the one you used! I knew I had one but I couldn’t remember where it was. I found it in my girls’ playdough stuff! I can’t wait to try and make these cookies, now!
You make the cutest baking products I have ever seen but these are, by far, my most favorite. Whales are at the top of my favorite list as far as animals go so that’s probably why. These are ridiculously adorable!!! You make me want to head home & back right now.
the use of the santa cookie cutter reminds me how Carvel can turn their fudgie the whale ice cream cake into any shape to suit the occasion! adorable cookies!
oh my goodness! those are so cute!
well done :) way to repurpose something!
They are just too adorable!
Brilliant! Great thinking “outside the box” – and too cute. Thanks for sharing!
Whale too cute! Thanks for sharing this. You’re awesome as always, bakerella :)
OMG Why are these the cutest thing ever?!?!
This is the cutest ever!
those are adorable.. when I first saw them I thought you went to Sur la Table cause they have so many cute cookie cutters (on sale too!)
for some reason I’m thinking you’re around Atlanta, hope you’re doing okay!
They’re ridiculously cute!
Holy crap I just died from cute overload.
These are so cute! You made them so approachable I definitely might have to try them!
Oh my gosh…those are just the cutest! Great vision!
So cute! How do you attach the tag to the bag? I don’t see staples. Do you glue them?
These are adorable! How do you make those tag things for the packaging? Can’t wait to try these and give them out :)
These are so ridiculously cute, I can’t stand it! I love that you also included treat tags that we can also use anytime and not just for V-day!
I just love these cookies and I love the way you see things!
You always amaze!
You are so creatived. They are so beautiful.
These really couldn’t be any cuter!
I think I just died of cute.
These are absolutely adorable. You have such creative genes. Who would’ve thought to use a Santa for a whale.
SO darling! You are too creative!
Whale loves these!
These are adorable!!! I love them! Great tutorial!
Let’s see… is it possible to leave a comment on these without using the word “cute”? Nope, I don’t think so!! These are SUPER CUTE!!!
Those whales are adorable, what a cute idea for a valentine. You got creative using a santa cookie cutter to make the whales…I like the way you think! :)
I really like the idea for valentines day. I am starting up a blog myself and yours is a great example. I think that i will try and make the cookies. Can’t wait for your next idea.
I think I just died of cuteness… goodbye world.
Could you be any cuter or more creative?!?!? Love!!
I love these! They are so cute! Great idea.
Uhhh…these are the best. I love the little heart smiles!
These are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ADORABLE!!! You really brought a smile to my face with this cuties!! You are so talented!
Absolutely adorable!
And a really great idea for Valentines Day. I will try to make them for my boyfriend.
Thanks for sharing!
These are just SO cute, I can’t stand it!
I’m going to get a whale cookie cutter just to make them this w/end w the kids!
BTW It’s not too late to enter for the foodie gift box giveaway from Maille UK. Just leave a comment on my Maille Salmon post!
Too cute- I am always looking for something to give instead of a card. Thanks!!
Oh my gosh!!!! How adorable!! What a great idea! Love them :)
Wow – beyond adorable…
so cute!!
Love! Those are super cute. :)
These are so perfect. What a genius idea to use that Santa cutter. Thanks for making all these beautiful things – just looking at them here makes my day a little sweeter. : )
These are beyond cute!! I have been pinning tons of these type of royal icing sugar cookies but am afraid to try my hand at them. I’ve done royal icing flowers for cakes and those get rock hard. Does the icing on these get that hard?
These are absolutely perfect for any babyshower as well. Gender neutral, adorable and simply elegant!
http://lifeandcity.tumblr.com
These are absolutely adorable!
So cute! Great job
OMG!!, I never imagine how so cute could be a whale, these cookies looks amazing!!
Cupcakes AMOR-diditas
This is definitely the cutest thing I have ever seen. Love this idea. Thank you!
Sanam
http://www.bakemestyle.blogspot.com
Angie, You are whaley creative and whaley talented … absolutely adorable!
Oh my goodness!! So incredibly cute! I doubt I’d be able to eat one. Well, maybe just for a few seconds. ;) Because they look delicious, too.
Angie are you kidding me?! Seriously you need to open your own bakery. Not kidding girl! You are so amazing! Miss you!!
So cute! Love them. Nice to see from what you did them.
These are so cute I might die.
OMG! I am going home to look through my cookie cutters. These are SO cute! Fingers crossed!
These are adorable! And it looks like a good recipe for cookie cutters, which I’m always trying to find!
Too cute!!!
How very creative and absolutely adorable :D
These are amazing! I would never be able to tell these came from santa cookie cutters. You’re genius!
Adorable! They will certainly make a “big splash” on Valentine’s Day!
Angie, I have the same cutter and I always think ‘Oh no why can’t I use this during the year?” And now I can! Yaaaaays! Plus, these whales are adorable!! What a great post! Thanks for sharing, you are my baking inspiration! Always fun and lighthearted! :)
These are so cute! Your piping skills are amazing!
I just bust out in the biggest smile, these are so cute! And I think I might actually try to make these because they seem to be so simple! I just love your creativity, I have about as much as a shoe, but I can copy! Thanks for the PDF that will help a lot!
I am COMPLETELY in love with these — and this color combo is ADORABLE!!
Pitter patter goes my heart – I LOVE these Angie!! Thank you for the creative cutter idea, these sweet whales, and the printable! xo
These cookies are amazing! very creative!!!
This is super cute! You even managed to add some humor with those tags and cookie bags. I wish I could pipe as good as you. I need more practice practice practice!
Wow this is so cute!!
Adorable!
Totally awesome. Love the spout
These are absolutely darling!!
These are so stinkin’ cute!
How adorable, so cute!
Definitely brought a smile to my face. Way too cute!!
fabulous cookies and a wonderful use of Father Christmas!
OMG sooo cute :D
They are so cute and what a lovely idea to use a santa cookie cutter!
Amazing!
Do you have a good icing recipe?
ooo… they look’s so cute!!! I will one! :D
Just adorable! Love them :)
Do you have your recipe for the royal icing for piping/flooding? Thanks! These are so so cute!