Jack came home for Christmas break saying we should start watching the Netflix series Stranger Things. As he described it...it's a show about the 80s. I was picturing a show with a bunch of kids dancing to Footloose in the cafeteria, wearing Units with Madonna jelly bracelets and high side ponytails.
Three minutes into the first episode, I turned to Jack and said, "WHAT ARE WE WATCHING?"
Stranger Things is not a show about the 80s. It's science fiction that TAKES PLACE in the 80s. (Jack doesn't like to give up spoilers, hence his show description.) So, despite the change in expectations about the show we were watching, Mr. E and I quickly became hooked. Enamored. Obsessed.
If you like suspense and sci-fi, and yes, a little glimpse of the 1980s, Stranger Things is for you. The cast is stellar...you'll fall a little in love with each and every one of them. ♥
Speaking of love, one of the characters, Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown), loves Eggo waffles. This was obviously the inspiration for these Valentine cookies.
For the number 11 cookies, I baked cookies, then stamped them as soon as they came out of the oven with a mini fondant cutter like I did here.
"I love you more than Eleven loves Eggos."
Let's make them! (Tutorial for Eleven and Eggo waffle cookies.)
You'll need:- cut-out cookies, large and medium circles
- royal icing, divided and tinted with gel paste food coloring: copper, chocolate brown, red, egg yellow, and gold
- disposable icing bags
- coupler and #2 and #1 tips
- toothpicks
- squeeze bottles
- food coloring pens: black, pink
For Eleven:
In a shallow bowl, thin the copper-tinted icing with water a bit at a time, stirring between each addition, until a ribbon of icing dropped back into the bowl disappears in a count of "one-thousand-five" or so. Cover the icing with a damp dishtowel and let sit for several minutes. Stir gently with a silicone spatula to pop large air bubbles.
We're going to use the "dip method" here. I like the dip method for circles because it's not easy to pipe a perfect circle outline. What I don't like about the dip method, is that bubbles naturally rise to the top of the bowl of icing and the cookies get dipped right into the bubbles. Most can be popped with a toothpick, but just be prepared to see more bubbles than a traditional flood method.
Dip the cookies into the thinned icing, scraping off excess on the rim of the bowl. Shake the cookie gently to distribute the icing evenly. If you don't like the way the icing looks, dip again. It's a forgiving method. Use a toothpick to pop air bubbles.
Let the icing dry for at least one hour.
Use a #2 tip to outline the hair and add eyes.
Thin the brown icing as above, but to a "one-thousand-two or three" count. Pour into a squeeze bottle. Fill in the hair outline. Use a toothpick to guide to edges and pop air bubbles.
Use a #1 tip to add a slight smile.
Let the icing dry uncovered 6-8 hours or overnight.
The next day, use the food coloring pens to add pink cheeks and eyelashes.
For the waffles:
Tint three shades of yellow/gold. The medium shade will be the base shade.
We're using the traditional outline and flood method here to hold in that icing, so it doesn't run off of the edge when adding the stripes.
Use a #2 tip to outline the cookies in the medium shade. I used a mix of egg yellow and gold for these colors.
Thin all three of the icing as above and transfer to squeeze bottles.
Working 6 cookies at a time, fill in the base of the cookies. Use a toothpick to guide to edges and pop air bubbles.
Drop lines of the darker and lighter shades directly on top of the wet base icing in a criss-cross pattern.
Let the cookies dry uncovered 6-8 hours or overnight.
Warning: there are only 2 seasons of Stranger Things, so if you start watching...pace yourself! Soon, you'll be like the three of us - drumming our fingers impatiently, waiting for season 3.
If you already watch, do you have a favorite character? I can safely say, my favorite is...not one but ALL OF THEM!!! ♥
