Jessie Oleson (aka Cakespy) drops by every week to share a delicious dessert recipe. —The Mgmt.

[Photographs and original illustrations: Cakespy]

In a culinary sense, the typical cookout menu focuses more on savory than sweet. But that doesn't mean that cookies can't come to your outdoor barbecue: it just means they should get festive.

Hot dog look aside, taste-wise, these treats are totally sweet. Starting with a simple and lightly sweet butter cookie dough, you simply tint a portion, shape appropriately, and add a squiggle of decorating icing to attain an adorable dessert trompe l'oeil morsel. Though the dough requires a chilling period, don't panic: it's only an hour, so go ahead, socialize, eat another (savory) hot dog, and then bake these babies off for a sweet ending to your meal.

Get the Recipe

Hot Dog Cookies »

About the author: Jessie Oleson is a writer, illustrator, gallery owner, and cake anthropologist who runs Cakespy, an award-winning dessert website. Her first book came out in October 2011; she is currently at work on her second book.