Star Wars Cookies and Holiday Cocktail

Posted by terraolsen on December 26, 2012 in Food, Holiday | 1 Comment

Star Wars Cookies and Holiday Cocktail

By: Terra Olsen

The staff at Have You Nerd had a holiday party, which was of course complete with Star Wars Sugar Cookies and Holiday Cocktails. Although Christmas is over, it is safe to say that parties and treats are thoroughly enjoyed until the New Year, so we wanted to share these recipes with you in hopes that you find them useful.

Star Wars Sugar Cookies

I used the recipe from the and two types of Star Wars cookie cutters. I had the best success with the cookie cutters, which add nice imprinted details to the cookies. They work especially well if you put the cookie cutters in flower first to ensure they don’t stick to the dough.

Ingredients:

• 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room
  temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 piece vanilla bean, about 2 inches long, or
  1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Colored sugars and decorating pens

Directions:

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and, using a small, sharp knife, scrape the seeds into the butter mixture. If using vanilla extract, add it now. Mix well.

In a sifter, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Sift the flour mixture directly onto the butter mixture. Reduce the speed to low and beat until well mixed.

Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten the balls into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (The dough can be prepared up to 3 days ahead.) Let it soften slightly at room temperature before continuing.

Position a rack in the upper third of an oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter 2 large baking sheets.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out a dough disk 1/4 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes. Transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets. Gather up and reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies. Repeat with the remaining dough disks.

Bake until the cookies are golden on the edges, about 8 minutes.

Christmas Cocktail

This is a light and tasty cocktail that is a good counterbalance to heavy eggnog and peppermint holiday drinks.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Orange Liqueur
• 3 oz Cranberry Juice (or Cra-Pom Juice)
• Sugar (for rim)
• Cranberries or Orange

Directions:

Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice. Wet rim of martini glass and place in sugar to create a sugar rim. Pour liquid into martini glass and garnish with cranberries or orange peel. Enjoy!