simple helper with cookie and it's test that won't work

helper_spec.rb

# helper
  # Set first_time? cookie
  def set_first_time_cookie
    cookies[:first_time] = {
      :value => 'false',
      :expires => 30.years.from_now,
    }
  end

# spec
   describe "set_first_time_cookie" do
    it "sets the cookie" do
      helper.set_first_time_cookie()
      helper.request.cookies[:first_time].should == "false"
    end
  end


#  Result
# expected: "false"
# got: nil (using ==)

# also, helper.request.cookies = {}

I not sure if this is the way to test cookies. In my specs, I am testing a controller, so I can actually issue a 'GET' request.

it "sets the given email in a cookie for later use" do
  get "subscribe", :module_id => 1, :subscription => {:title => @title, :email => @email}
  cookies[:email].should ==@email
end