This Estonian classic is dessert you’re going to love. With no baking time and 5 ingredients, this Spotted Dog, or “Kirju Koer” is unique, simple, and so delicious!
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Recipe Origins
Spotted Dog Cake or “Kirju Koer” is a popular “old school” dessert in Estonia. It is made with cocoa powder, butter, crushed cookies, and jelly cubes. These ingredients are rolled up into a log and then cut into slices before serving.
When I first heard about this dish, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about chocolate powder mixed with gummy candies.
Let me tell you, not only does it work… It REALLY works.
When I tasted my first bite, my eyes got wide and I quickly ate three more slices. That’s how much we loved it! The combination of flavors is truly magnificent.
Don’t judge this dish by it’s looks. You are truly going to love it.
Inspiration for this recipe came from Estonian Cuisine’s Blog Post and Nami Nami’s YouTube Video.
Why Make this Recipe
- It’s Unique: This combination of flavors was new to me, and I am SO happy that I tried them. Making this dish at home will open your eyes to this delicious Estonian dessert.
- No Bake: I LOVE any dessert that is impressive and doesn’t require any cooking or baking. The Spotted Dog has to rest in the fridge for about an hour before it’s ready to eat, but I love that I don’t have to watch it in the oven!
- “Travel” to Estonia: I want to visit everywhere but, unfortunately, I’m not always able. If you want to visit Estonia but can’t, this recipe is a great way to get a taste for the country at home.
What Ingredients are In this Recipe?
- Cookies: I used a prepackaged, plain shortbread cookie.
- Sugared Orange Gummy Slices: Jelly cubes/marmalade are traditional, but I was not able to find these anywhere. Instead, I used sugared orange gummy slices, which mixed with the chocolate beautifully.
- Cocoa Powder: I used sweetened cocoa powder. You can also use Dark Cocoa Powder if you like the taste of dark chocolate.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar works best
- Butter: Use cold, unsalted butter. Grating the butter on the cheese grater allows it to mix into the recipe easier.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dough
Place the cookies in a plastic bag and crush them. You want mostly crumbs but some larger pieces are fine.
Add the crushed cookies, gummies, cocoa powder, & sugar into a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to mix.
Grate the butter on the largest setting of a cheese grater, and put this in the bowl.
Use your hands to mix the mixture until fully combined. Make sure to stop when the ingredients are fully combined, as over mixing will cause the heat from your hands to melt the butter.
Step 2: Roll the Dough
Put parchment paper down and form the mixture into a log. Roll the parchment paper around the log, twisting the edges to tightly pull together the ingredients (like a tootsie roll!).
Step 3: Chill
Put the log (still in the parchment paper) in the fridge for about an hour. When completely chilled, use a knife to cut it into slices.
Expert Tips
- I had a hard time finding “marmalade cubes” or “jelly cubes” at the grocery store or even online. Instead, I picked out my favorite sweet (NOT sour) gummy candy and added them into the dish. I chose Sugared Orange Slice Gummies and I truly feel that this was the most delicious combo.
- If you don’t want to add gummies, you can also roll in fresh fruits or berries. Make sure to choose a tougher fruit, as you don’t want it disintegrating into the chocolate log.
- Feel free to add any other ingredients into the log that you’d like. I have seen variations with marshmallows, nuts, etc.
Recipe FAQs
How Should I Store the Kirju Koer?
I keep my Spotted Dog in a resealable bag in the fridge! Because we are using butter, you will want to keep your Spotted Dog cold so that the texture is right when enjoying it.
Did you enjoy this recipe from Estonia? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
Spotted Dog (“Kirju Koer”) from Estonia
Ingredients
- 5 oz pre-packaged plain shortbread cookies
- 4 oz Sugared Orange Gummy Slices, cut into small pieces
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 11 tbsp butter, cold
Instructions
- Place the cookies in a plastic bag and crush them. You want mostly crumbs but some larger pieces are fine.
- Add the crushed cookies, gummies, cocoa powder, & sugar into a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to mix.
- Grate the butter on the largest setting of a cheese grater, and put this in the bowl.
- Use your hands to mix the mixture until fully combined. Make sure to stop when the ingredients are fully combined, as over mixing will cause the heat from your hands to melt the butter.
- Put parchment paper down and form the mixture into a log. Roll the parchment paper around the log, twisting the edges to tightly pull together the ingredients (like a tootsie roll!).
- Put the log (still in the parchment paper) in the fridge for about an hour. When completely chilled, use a knife to cut it into slices.
Notes
- Cookies: I used a prepackaged, plain shortbread cookie.
- Sugared Orange Gummy Slices: Jelly cubes/marmalade are traditional, but I was not able to find these anywhere. Instead, I used sugared orange gummy slices, which mixed with the chocolate beautifully.
- Cocoa Powder: I used sweetened cocoa powder. You can also use Dark Cocoa Powder if you like the taste of dark chocolate.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar works best
- Butter: Use cold, unsalted butter. Grating the butter on the cheese grater allows it to mix into the recipe easier.
- I had a hard time finding “marmalade cubes” or “jelly cubes” at the grocery store or even online. Instead, I picked out my favorite sweet (NOT sour) gummy candy and added them into the dish. I chose Sugared Orange Slice Gummies and I truly feel that this was the most delicious combo.
- If you don’t want to add gummies, you can also roll in fresh fruits or berries. Make sure to choose a tougher fruit, as you don’t want it disintegrating into the chocolate log.
- Feel free to add any other ingredients into the log that you’d like. I have seen variations with marshmallows, nuts, etc.
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