Today in the present, in a galaxy not so far away we are celebrating the premiere of the new Star Wars Movie the Force Awakens.
Star Wars my first Sci-Fi
I’m a huge Star Wars fan, and have been watching the movies all week in anticipation for the newest edition to the on going saga. Star Wars was probably the first sci-fi movie I saw, when I stumbled upon episode V a New Hope on television one Saturday afternoon when I was 6 years old. The movie was epic, especially for a 6-year-old. It is definitely what started my love of sci-fiction.
When the prequels came out in 1999 I was ecstatic! Finally a new Star Wars, however it was kind of a let down, as were the other prequels that followed. I felt the movies had a lot of plot holes that didn’t really line up with the originals, plus that Annie kid, come on.
Despite that I really loved the Clone Wars series on Cartoon Network, it did a much better job at character development and explaining why Anakin would join the dark side.
Still when I heard about the new movie I tried hard not to get my hopes up. I watched only the first and second trailer, and reframed from watching any clips or such. I want to try to have no preconceived ideas about the story, as I had with the prequels.
Star Wars Cookies
The movie itself opened Thursday night, but unfortunately due to mass ticket sales, I couldn’t get tickets until the Saturday after showing, sigh. While my showing is still a few hours away, I thought in the meantime I would begin celebrating “Star Wars” day , as I’m calling it with Star Wars cookies.
A few years ago I bought a fun Star Wars cookie cutter set from Williams Sonoma. The cookie cutters are a press kind that not only cuts the cookies but also adds details.
I’ve only used them once, and well, it didn’t work out so good, but I’m hoping for better results this time.
Sugar Cookies
The cutters are meant to work with a basic sugar cookie dough which is in fact what I made. I prepared the cookie dough as instructed, then I let it set in the fridge for about an hour. I find the longer the cookies chill in the fridge the better the dough is to work with. Thus, I let mine chill overnight.
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 egg
- 2 - 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Mix powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Heat oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease cookie sheet.
- Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes with 2- to 2 1/2-inch cookie cutters. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place on cookie sheet.
- Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.
Royal Icing
While the cookies baked I made the icing for the cookies. I used royal icing which is what you would typically find on your store bought sugar cookies.
- 3 tablespoons Meringue Powder
- 4 cups (about 1 lb.) confectioners' sugar
- 5 tablespoons warm water
- Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7-10 minutes at low speed with a heavy-duty mixer, 10-12 minutes at high speed with a hand-held mixer).
- Pipe icing on to cookies with frosting bag and tip.
- Keep all utensils completely grease-free for proper icing consistency.
- * For stiffer icing, use 1 tablespoon less water.
- **When using large countertop mixer or for stiffer icing, use 1 tablespoon less water.
- Thinned Royal Icing: To thin for pouring, add 1 teaspoon water per cup of royal icing. Use grease-free spoon or spatula to stir slowly. Add 1/2 teaspoon water at a time until you reach proper consistency.
Epic Fail
As with the last time I attempting making such cookies, they didn’t come out right. I’m not sure if I just roll my dough too thin or what, but the cookies just bake into a big blob.
There really isn’t much definition to the cookie after baking it and I was very disappointed with the outcome. After this epic fail, I didn’t really feel like bothering with the icing, I just sort of slapped it on with a spatula and called it done.
Star Wars Celebration
Despite my epic fail with the cookies I’m hoping I have better luck with the movie itself. I’ve tried to reframe from hearing any spoilers and promise not to share any myself after today. I’m so excited and can’t wait to see the film. So, anyways I hope your enjoying your Star Wars weekend.
So cute!!! 🙂 I’m officially craving cookies big time now. Alas, I indulged a fair bit this holiday season (how can one not), so I’ll probably put off most of my baking until Valentine’s Day. Perhaps I’ll do some (pink) iced cookies then.
Enjoy and have a terrific first week of January!
♥ Jessica
Thank you Miss Jessica. Pink Valentine cookies, that sounds fun, you’ll have to share what you end up making 😉