Recipe: Gingerbread Wookiee Cookies

I have to admit, I may be more excited for the new Star Wars movie than I am for Christmas.  I know, we've been burned before, but everything we've seen so far just looks SO FUN, my anticipation is getting the best of me.  I'm excited to see old favorites like Han and Leia, of course, but I may be even more excited for new characters Rey and Finn.  This feels like a rejuvenated story for a new generation, and I can't wait to see it.

Besides, Christmas happens once a year.  Star Wars is a much rarer occasion. 

Of course, there's no reason you can't get into the Star Wars spirit and the holiday spirit simultaneously.  And an easy way is to make your standard gingerbread men into gingerbread Wookiees!  Just use a fork to add "fur" to your cookies before they bake and decorate them with Chewbacca's signature bandolier.  

Gingerbread Wookiee Cookies

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ginger

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup shortening

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup molasses

1 large egg

For decoration:

1/4 cup dark or milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

2-4 teaspoons milk

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, salt and black pepper.  Set aside.

With an electric mixer, mix the butter and shortening until well combined.  Add the brown sugar and beat until light in color.  Add the molasses and egg and mix until well combined.

Using a wooden spoon, add the dry ingredients and mix by hand until the dough comes together.  Separate into 2 disks, wrap with plastic wrap or put in ziploc bags and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 350F.

On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread men shapes.  Transfer to a cookie sheet, then use the tines of a fork to imprint "fur" into all of the gingerbread men.  Chill on the cookie sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer to the oven and bake for 7-9 minutes, until cookies are set.

Cool completely.

Melt chocolate in the microwave in 20 second increments, stirring each time until the chocolate is just melted.  Transfer to a piping bag or decorator tool and draw on the eyes, nose, and bandolier.  You can wait for the chocolate to set, or chill the cookies for a couple minutes to speed the process along.

In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar and vanilla, then add the milk a teaspoon at a time until you have an icing consistency.  Transfer to a piping bag or decorator tool to add the mouth and details on the bandolier.  

Now eat!  And may the fork be with you.

(I'm sorry.)