Android Gingerbread

Android Gingerbread - get it while it's hot!

Just in time for the new Android Gingerbread release date.  Now you can be the first kid on the block to have it - and eat it too!

Step 1: Making the Cutters

I like to use lasers whenever I can because it makes me sound cooler than I am.  And, having this giant laser cutter at work makes it even easier!  So of course, I laser cut some templates to make cookie cutters.

I made a bunch of different sizes, and chose my favorites.

Then I used some hose clamps (thanks everyone for helping me identify them!)  which bent with only moderate force around the templates.  

The first one I closed with twist-ties, but by the time I did the robot, I got smart.

Step 2: The Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (165g)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
• In a large mixer bowl cream together butter and  brown sugar until light and fluffy
• Add egg and mix on medium speed until well blended.
• Add molasses and vanilla and mix until well blended.
• Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.

Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.

Step 3: Cut & Bake

Preheat oven to 375F (190c)

After the dough is chilled, roll it out on a well-floured surface.  The dough is soft and sticky enough to support the amount of flour it will take to roll out evenly.

When dough is around 1/4" thick (your preference!), cut out your shapes, and place them well spaced on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, rotating pan half-way through baking time.  You can see from the pictures how much they puff up!

Step 4: Make the Icing

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup meringue powder
• 1/2 cold water
• 4 cups powdered sugar

This is the first time I've used meringue powder to make Royal Icing, and it was dead easy.  

DIRECTIONS: 

• Add 1/4 cup of powder to 1/2 cup cold water and beat until stiff peaks form.  
• Sift in 4 cups of powdered sugar and beat until the icing reaches desired consistency.

Step 5: Decorate

Decorating cookies is hard!  This was one of those things I just thought I would naturally be good at, but that was not the case.  I made a mess!

Here's basically what I did:

• Using a piping bag, I piped an outline of icing around each cookie to define its features.
• Then I put the cookies in the fridge for the icing to firm up.
• Next, I dyed the icing in the colors I wanted and thinned them down a little with water.
• First I tried piping the color into the areas I wanted, and later I switched to using an offset spatula to apply the colored icings.
• Using the offset spatula or a toothpick, I pushed the icing up to the edges of the piped outlines.

It took a while, and robots are esp. hard I've decided.

Well, it was fun and delicious, so I hope you enjoy!

Step 6: Caption This!

Caption this picture for a chance to win a 3-month PRO membership!  

Captions accepted until midnight Sunday, Nov. 28th, so enter now!