Smiley Face Cookies Without an Oven (Hostel-Friendly & Fun to Make)

Cookies don’t always have to be complicated.

Sometimes, they’re simply about smiles, creativity, and a little happiness.

Living in a college hostel without access to an oven pushed me to experiment with alternative ways of making cookies. What started as a limitation slowly turned into an opportunity — an opportunity to explore how simple tools and imagination can come together to create something joyful.

This Instructable is all about making smiley-face cookies that celebrate:

1. Decoration
2. Taste
3. Expression and fun

All prepared using an easy stovetop method, without an oven.

Inspired by emoji expressions, each cookie becomes a small canvas — happy, playful, and full of character. These cookies are perfect for:

1. Sharing with friends
2. Unwinding after long classes
3. Gifting something handmade
4. Enjoying the simple joy of decorating food

Made with basic ingredients and minimal equipment, this recipe is designed for students, hostels, and small kitchens — proving that creativity doesn’t need a perfect setup, just a little curiosity and effort.

Base Cookie Dough

1. Maida (All-purpose flour) – 1 cup
2. Powdered sugar – 7 tablespoons
3. Ghee – as required (approx. 4–5 tablespoons)
4. Vanilla essence – ½ teaspoon
5. Salt – 1 pinch

For Decoration

1. Natural food-safe red colour
2. Natural food-safe dark brown colour

I intentionally used only two colours so the designs remain simple, clean, and expressive.

1. In a bowl, add:
2. Maida
3. Powdered sugar
4. Salt
5. Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly so the sugar is evenly distributed.
6. Add ghee little by little and start mixing with your fingers.
7. Add vanilla essence.
8. Bring everything together into a soft, smooth dough.

Dough Texture Tip

1. The dough should not be sticky.
2. It should be soft enough to shape without cracking.
3. If too dry → add a little more ghee.
4. If too soft → add a little maida.

This is where the creativity begins.

1. Take small portions of the base dough.
2. Add:
3. Red food colour to one portion
4. Dark brown food colour to another portion
5. Knead each portion separately until the colour is evenly mixed.

These coloured doughs will be used to create:

1. Eyes
2. Smiles
3. Hearts
4. Glasses
5. Expressions

Keep them covered so they don’t dry out.

1. Take a small ball of plain dough.
2. Roll it gently and flatten it slightly to form a round cookie base.
3. Using the coloured dough, start creating expressions:
4. Small dots for eyes
5. Thin strips for smiles or eyebrows
6. Hearts, glasses, or playful designs

There is no right or wrong design — this step is purely creative.

Each cookie can represent a different mood or emotion.

Equipment Needed

1. Heavy-bottom pan
2. Butter paper
3. Lid
4. Very low flame

Cooking Steps

1. Preheat the pan on very low flame for about 5 minutes.
2. Place butter paper inside the pan.
3. Arrange the cookies carefully with some space between them.
4. Cover the pan with a lid.
5. Cook on low flame for 12–15 minutes.

Important Notes

1. Do not flip the cookies.
2. Keep the flame as low as possible.
3. Check occasionally to avoid browning the bottom too much.

The cookies are done when:

1. The base feels firm
2. The bottom is lightly cooked
3. The surface looks set, not shiny

Remove and allow them to cool completely — they firm up more as they cool.

1. These cookies are lightly sweet, not overpowering
2. Ghee gives a rich, traditional flavour
3. The texture is soft with a gentle bite
4. Decoration dough blends seamlessly with the base

They taste as good as they look.

1. Store in an airtight container
2. Good for 4–5 days at room temperature
3. Perfect for sharing with friends or gifting

1. Always cook on low flame
2. Don’t overcrowd the pan
3. Keep decoration simple — expressions look better than over-details
4. Natural colours give a softer, more elegant finish
5. Enjoy the process — this recipe is as much about fun as food

As a college student living in a hostel, I don’t always have access to full kitchen tools — but that doesn’t mean creativity has to stop.

These smiley cookies reminded me that:

1. Food can be expressive
2. Cooking can be playful
3. Constraints can inspire better ideas

This recipe is proof that you don’t need an oven to create something delightful.