Read...
For the reindeer version simply cut dough into circles using a round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter then bake as direction. Then melt white chocolate and dark chocolate in small bowls separately (or chocolate chips or almond bark candy coating) then pour into piping bags fitted with tiny round tips (#1 – #3 will work) then pipe the white circles first as well as a tiny one for the nose (to stick the candy on) then pipe the darker portion of the eye (before the white sets) with the dark chocolate, and pipe the antlers with the dark chocolate as well. Then stick on either a red Sixlet or a mini red M&M for the nose. You shouldn’t need much chocolate, I used 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips and had some left. Also I like to add 1 1/2 tsp shortening in with the chocolate for a better consistency. I used the candy coating for the white. You can rewarm the bags of chocolate under hot water as needed to soften the chocolate as you are decorating. I posted a quick how-to video on Instagram here. The reindeer were inspired by Moje Wypieki.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups (425g) all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (165g) packed dark brown sugar
- 10 Tbsp (142g) butter, softened about halfway (it should still hold it's shape pretty well and be cool)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (172g) molasses (not blackstrap)
- 1 - 2 Tbsp milk
- 3 (420g) cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp (15g) meringue powder
- 4 - 6 Tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
For the cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together sugar and butter until well combined, occasionally stopping and scraping down bowl. Mix egg yolk and vanilla. Mix in molasses and 1 Tbsp milk. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until combined, while adding additional milk as needed just to bring dough together. Divide dough into two equal portions then roll each portion out evenly to 1/4-inch thickness (into more of a oblong or rectangular shape so it will fit on a cookie sheet) between two sheets of parchment paper. Chill on a cookie sheet in freezer 10 - 20 minutes, or until firm then cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Remove from paper using a thin metal spatula or pastry scraper if needed then transfer to a cookie sheet, spacing cookies about 1-inch apart, and bake in preheated oven 8 minutes or until slightly set (they should leave a slight indentation when touched). Repeat process with remaining cookies. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool pipe icing over cookies to decorate and add sprinkles if desired. Let icing set at room temperature and store in an airtight container (note that these cookies are even better and softer the second day).
- Add powdered sugar and meringue powder to the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Fit mixer with paddle attachment, add in 4 Tbsp water and the vanilla them mix on low speed until combined. Add more water to thin as needed and increase speed and whip mixture until it is glossy and thickens up. Tint with food coloring if desired. Transfer to piping bags fitted with tiny round tips.
 |
| pint it |
