Description[]
Source: ALICE in WONDERLAND THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK - ELENA CRAIG & S. T. BENDE
The road to Wonderland is burdened with obstacles—including one particularly stubborn door. Luckily, even this hurdle can be circumvented… provided one has the right key, of course! Wonderland wanderers will appreciate these tasty tools, which simultaneously open doorways to adventure and offer up an irresistibly appetizing aroma.
Ingredients[]
- 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup molasses
- Royal Icing
- Gray and gold food coloring (or desired colors)
- Luster dust (optional)
Directions[]
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder, and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Add in the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and black pepper, and mix to combine.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the egg and molasses.
- Mix until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- With the mixer on low, add in the flour mixture about 1 cup at a time, scraping the bowl as needed, until the ingredients are all incorporated.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in parchment, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and prepare two baking sheets with parchment or baking mats.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a scant ¼ inch, and use a key-shape cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
- Chill each sheet of cookies for 15 minutes, and then bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cookies are crisp at the edges, with barely soft centers.
- Transfer the baking sheets to a wire rack, and allow the cookies to cool completely.
- To decorate the cookies, divide the royal icing between two or more bowls, and add food coloring as desired.
- Flood each cookie with a base of icing, and allow it to dry completely.
- Pipe a key design onto each cookie.
- When the icing is dry, brush with luster dust, if desired.