Wicked Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies in 9 Steps

Okay, picture this: a Halloween bash, everyone dressed as their favorite Stranger Things character. Now, imagine serving up some *amazing* Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a total conversation starter. We’re talking red-tinted dough for that eerie Upside Down vibe, royal icing, sprinkles… the works! They’re seriously the perfect, fun treat. I remember one year, I tried making Demogorgon cupcakes (total fail, btw!), but these cookies? Total win! My friends lost it over them. If you are a fan of the hit TV show be sure to try this recipe.

Why You’ll Love These Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

Okay, so why make these Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies? Simple! They’re *beyond* fun for themed parties, right? Plus, the design is super creative – like, a total showstopper. And trust me, they taste amazing! Even better, they’re not crazy hard to whip up. You can totally customize them with different cutters and sprinkles. Win-win, I’d say!

Ingredients for Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! You’ll need: 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks!) of unsalted butter, softened, of course. Gotta have 1 cup of granulated sugar for sweetness! Then, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract – the real stuff, okay? Two large eggs, 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and a ½ teaspoon of salt. Oh! And don’t forget the red and black gel food coloring, royal icing (store-bought is fine!), and SPRINKLES!

How to Make Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies: Step-by-Step

Okay, deep breaths, we got this! It might *seem* like a lot, but I promise, it’s totally doable. Let’s get baking!

1. First things first: Cream together the softened butter and sugar. You want it light and fluffy, almost like whipped cream! Beat in that vanilla extract – mmm, smells good already! – and then add your eggs, one at a time.
2. In a separate bowl (important!), whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Now, *gradually* add this to the wet ingredients. Mix until JUST combined. Don’t overmix, or your cookies will be tough!
3. Time to get spooky! Divide that dough in half. Tint one half a crazy, vibrant red with your gel food coloring. For that extra “Upside Down” feel, add a tiny bit of black gel food coloring. Trust me! Leave the other half plain.
4. Wrap each dough ball in plastic wrap – like you’re tucking them in for the night, haha! – and CHILL for at least 1 hour. This is *crucial*. The dough needs to firm up so it doesn’t spread like crazy in the oven. No one wants melty monsters!
5. Alright, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
6. Cookie cutter time! Grab your faves – maybe stars, Demogorgons (if you can find one!), whatever screams “Stranger Things” to you! Place the cut-out cookies on your baking sheets.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye – you want the edges lightly golden, not burnt!
8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes (careful, they’re hot!) before transferring them to a wire rack to cool COMPLETELY. I know, the waiting is the hardest part!
9. Now for the fun part: Decorate with royal icing and sprinkles! Get creative – there are no rules in the Upside Down!

Tips for Perfect Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

Want your cookies to be *totally* rad? Okay, listen up! For even baking, make sure your oven is *actually* at the right temp. And that chilling time? Seriously, don’t skip it! It stops the dough from spreading into a monstrous mess. Now, about that red: gel food coloring is your BFF. It gives you that bold color without watering down the dough. Royal icing can be tricky, but practice makes perfect! Start with outlines, then flood the inside. And sprinkles? Go wild! They hide all imperfections, ha!

Creative Variations for Your Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic recipe? Awesome! Now, let’s get *seriously* creative. How about using different cookie cutters? Think alphabet letters for the Christmas lights scene, or little bikes (E.T. phone home, anyone? Hehe!). Oh! And extracts? Almond or lemon would be *amazing* in these. My favorite part? Adding chocolate chips or some chopped nuts to the dough. It just makes them…extra! And, of course, get totally wild with the icing designs. Stripes? Polka dots? Go for it! Make ’em scream Stranger Things!

Storing Your Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

So, you’ve got a whole batch of these amazing Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies. But what if you have leftovers? Easy! Just pop ’em in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for a few days. My little trick? Separating the layers with parchment paper – stops ’em from sticking together, ya know? And if you want to keep them *really* fresh, freeze the undecorated cookies. Just thaw and decorate when you’re ready for another trip to the Upside Down!

FAQ About Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

Got questions? I’ve got (hopefully!) answers! I know making these Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies might bring up a few head-scratchers, so let’s dive in!

Can I use a different type of flour?

Okay, so all-purpose flour is really the best for this recipe. But, if you’re feeling adventurous, you *could* try using half all-purpose and half cake flour for a slightly softer cookie. I wouldn’t recommend using gluten-free flour without tweaking the recipe a bit, though, or your cookies might end up crumbly.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Totally! In fact, I *encourage* it! Making the dough a day or two in advance actually helps the flavors meld together, and it saves you time on party day. Just wrap it super well in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes to soften up a bit.

How do I get the red dough so vibrant?

Gel food coloring is your secret weapon! Liquid food coloring will water down the dough, and you’ll need *tons* of it to get a good red. Gel is super concentrated, so a little goes a long way. And remember that tip about adding a *tiny* bit of black? It really deepens the red and gives it that Upside Down vibe!

Can I use store-bought icing?

Heck yes! Ain’t nobody got time to make royal icing from scratch when you’re prepping for a party! Store-bought is totally fine. Just make sure it’s a consistency you like – some are thicker than others. If it’s too thick, just add a *tiny* bit of water, a teaspoon at a time, until it’s pourable.

How long will the cookies last?

In an airtight container, these cookies will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. But honestly? They’re so good, they probably won’t last that long!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies

Heads up! The nutritional info is just an estimate, but each Stranger Things Upside Down Cookie clocks in around 150 calories. We’re talking roughly 8g of fat, 2g of protein, and 20g of carbs per cookie!

Enjoyed Making These Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies?

Woo-hoo! Did you have a blast making these Stranger Things Upside Down Cookies? I *really* hope so! Leave a comment below and tell me what you think! Oh! And if you loved ’em, be sure to rate the recipe and share it with your friends! P.S. If you are a lover of cookies and magic, check out these lavender cookies!

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