Sunday, December 21, 2008

Gingerbread Cookie Cups

Gingerbread Cookie CupsEvery year starting December 1st, I prepare daily Advent boxes for the kids. I bought a little box from the dollar store for each of them and glued a small piece of chalkboard paper to the top to countdown the days. I fill their boxes each day with a little treat, usually a piece of candy like a lollypop or a chocolate. My youngest reminds me everyday about the Advent boxes, and today as I was writing "4" on the top of each box, I was amazed at how close Christmas is and how quickly this time goes by.

Lately, I've been enamored with little edible liqueur or candy cups. I even found some peppermint candy cane cups this year. When I was making gingerbread cookies earlier this week, I thought I'd try turning some of the dough into cups for holding eggnog or Baileys. So instead of dipping your cookie in milk, you can pour some milk into your cookie!

Tip: You must make the bottom of the shot glass cookie thick so that the beverage doesn't seep out. Of course, the cookie will disintegrate the longer the drink sits in the cookie so it's best to serve the cookie from frozen and drink it soon after pouring.

Recipe

From Epicurious

Makes about 50

Ingredients for Gingerbread Cookie Cups6 cups (about) flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1½ teaspoons ground cloves
¾ teaspoon salt
11 tablespoon (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
1½ teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 large egg
¼ cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon soda

Whisk 5¼ cups flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a bowl.

Using a stand mixer, blend the butter and shortening. Add sugar, molasses, and lemon peel and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and buttermilk.

Blend 2 teaspoons water with soda. Beat into butter mixture. In two additions, beat in flour mixture. Add more flour, ¼ cup at a time, until the dough feels slightly firm.

Divide dough into three equal disks. Wrap them and chill until firm enough to roll, at least 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated. Soften slightly before rolling out.)

Roll out one disk of dough at a time, between sheets of waxed.
Either cut the dough using boy and girl gingerbread cookie cutters (or another shape) or press the dough into a heat-resistant shot glass or silicon shot glasses. Chill the dough again before baking. (Cutout cookies can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, turning the pan halfway through the baking time.

If you made shot glasses, once the cookies have cooled, put them in the freezer. After they have frozen, remove them from the shot glasses. You may have to trim the bottom so that it sits level. Store them in the freezer until ready to fill with your beverage of choice.

Gingerbread Cookie CupsOther ideas for filling the cups:
Spiked White Chocolate Cappuccino
Decadent Pumpkin Spice Latte from Ari at Baking and Books
Holiday Irish Coffee Eggnog from Lori at RecipeGirl.com

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  • 35 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Brilliant, I love the concept, they look amazing!

    Gretchen Noelle said...

    Really Shari, you are *amazing*...do you dream this stuff up all day long?? Amazing.

    Shelby said...

    I love these!

    Anonymous said...

    There are those great shot glass molds again! Another cute idea, too. :)

    Giabella Designs said...

    yummy!

    Annie said...

    What a brilliant idea! And fun cookies for grown-ups too!

    Di said...

    What a neat idea. And I love your Advent box idea as well. I'll have to keep that in mind for next year.

    Anonymous said...

    This sounds delicious! What if you coat the inside of the cups with melted chocolate? That should be enough of a moisture barrier.

    Anonymous said...

    That is SO awesome!!! I want to make those but no time already. I'm sure I can always invent an occasion next time just to make them. :)

    Anonymous said...

    What a fantastic idea!

    Anonymous said...

    Fun idea!

    CookiePie said...

    WOW - what a creative and fun idea!

    kimberly salem said...

    seriously, you are genius!! :) those are adorable.

    Manggy said...

    That is quite creative Shari! Kiddie shot glasses! I need me one of those silicon molds, heh heh :) And of course, I am a firm lover of gingerbread :)

    Beryl said...

    You have taken holiday decadence to a whole other level. I applaud you!

    LyB said...

    These look perfect to serve on Christmas morning. Too cute! :)

    natalia said...

    They are so cute ! I have some leftover gingerbread houses material I could use !!!

    Anonymous said...

    On taking decadence to a whole new level. . . and then I ate my cup! Brilliant!

    grace said...

    i'll tell you what, shari--you're one of the most creative and innovative people i've ever (sort of) known! this is a terrific idea, and there are endless possibilities! :)

    Anonymous said...

    Shari, this is a brilliant idea! Nice work. I hope you and your family have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Syrie

    NKP said...

    You are amazing! I love the cookies shot glasses. No worries about mine soaking through - Baileys is my favourite!

    Anonymous said...

    This is such a cool recipe! Would be perfect for a holiday party (heck any party) - I bet it would knock people's socks off.

    And thank you for linking to my pumpkin spice latte! I may have to take your suggestion make it a reality.

    Mary said...

    Dear Shari,
    Thank you for my elfster gift! I received my package in the mail yesterday and it made my day. I am very excited to read this book...it was on my list of books to check out in 2009! I am excited to check out your blog and see you every tuesday on TWD!
    Mary of www.popsiclesandsandyfeet.blogspot.com

    Maria said...

    Oh how I love these! Happy Holidays to you!

    Family First said...

    You are always full of wonderful ideas! And guess what .. my long awaited christmas gift is here! But I have yet to open it though .. cos its past midnight now ... so I will wait till tomorrow! Thanks Shari!

    Rachael Hutchings said...

    Those are SO cool! Wow!

    My Sweet & Saucy said...

    These are so great! Perfect for a fun party treat!

    Anonymous said...

    Wow! Such a unique and fun idea! I bet cappuccinos and spiced lattes go great in them. Reminds me of Willy Wonka when he drinks from the cup and then eats it :)

    Y said...

    I'm in awe. How on earth do you come up with ideas like that!? :D

    gaga said...

    What a wonderful idea! It's fun for both the kids and the adults, I love it!

    Ingrid_3Bs said...

    What a cool idea both the cookie cup and the advent boxes!

    Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
    Happy 2009!
    ~ingrid

    Jaime said...

    wow, that is such a great idea!!! i love bailey's ;)

    : irene ngo : said...

    wow, i just came across this from your recent post. this is an awesome concept :)

    Cakespy said...

    I LOVE this idea! Absolutely inspired.

    grace said...

    clever and delicious. and bonus--no sticky mugs to wash up! :)