Description
These Chewbacca Gingerbread Cookies combine classic holiday flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with a fun Star Wars twist. Soft and chewy with a rich molasses base, these cookies are decorated with royal icing in brown and black to bring the iconic Chewbacca character to life, making them perfect for festive gatherings and themed parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
Royal Icing
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Brown and black food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. In a separate bowl, cream the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, followed by molasses and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight (240 minutes prep time).
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a Chewbacca-shaped cookie cutter or a suitable template to cut out 24 cookies. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are firm but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare and Apply Royal Icing: In a clean bowl, whisk together egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form and the icing is glossy. Divide icing into portions and tint with brown and black food coloring to decorate the cookies. Use piping bags to outline and fill details mimicking Chewbacca’s facial features and fur patterns. Allow the icing to set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for the best dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading during baking and to preserve the intricate shapes.
- Use paste food coloring in the royal icing for vibrant colors without thinning the consistency.
- If concerned about raw egg whites in royal icing, pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder can be used as substitutes.
- Store baked and decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
