Saturday, June 1, 2013

Arrested Development: Tobias's Blue Handprint Sandwich Cookies

I was really worried about this new season of Arrested Development.

When I heard Netflix was bringing it back, I was, like the rest of you probably were, thrilled. Finally, we'd be getting back the family we all loved to hate. Finally, I felt vindication for still having all my inner monologues sound like Ron Howard. But then I really thought about it. Did I want it back? Really? Arrested Development went out on, more or less, a high note. What if it came back, and sucked?


It's kinda like having your significant other dump you. I mean, you knew it was coming, but you were definitely not ready for it. "Sorry," they tell you, "I think I just need some space to grow. You'd be better off without me. Why don't you try my buddy, American Dad. He's pretty cool." You don't hear from them for 8 years - yes, they post on facebook every once and awhile about the new, neato projects they're working on, but they're overall pretty silent. Suddenly, they appear on your doorstep one day. "I want to be back in your life," they tell you. "In fact, lets move in together. Right now."

I wasn't so sure I was ready to make that sort of commitment. I was already sort of seeing Game of Thrones, so marathoning some small time Netflix show felt almost dirty. Did I really want to cheat on John Snow? For a show that might not be that good? I don't know, guys. I didn't want to be a Westeros homewrecker.

Mr. C talked me into the first episode not too long ago. I begrudgingly agreed, and soon fell in love again. Yes, I'll admit it: seeing my first Arrested Development after 8 long years made me laugh like a madwoman.


I've only seen a handful of episodes, but I'm seriously ready to drop Game of Thrones in the dust and marathon this bitch. The way they concentrate on one character per episode is wonderful - especially when they get to a character that you've been missing the most. For me, it's Tobias "Analrapist" Fünke. When I saw he was the star of the show's viral marketing ploy, I swooned. Especially when I saw the results

When I first started to watch the original series, the visual gag that really held onto me was the Blue Man Group storyline. The fact that they left blue handprints and smudges all over the set throughout the season made me fall in love. This was a show that thought about what they were putting on television. We don't see that enough nowadays.

To celebrate the new season of Arrested Development, I want to share with you a baked good based on that awesome running gag. These cookies are a little finicky - as are any cookies that are cut into difficult shapes - but worth the work. Our lovely sweet sugar cookies are dyed blue, then slathered in a homemade oreo cream and sandwiched together. The best part of this cookie is that you'll be reenacting the Blue Man Group episode in your own home - BLUE FOOD COLOURING EVERYWHERE! Seriously. Oh my god.

Now to marthon me some more Arrested Development. I'm so glad you're back in my life. Just don't leave me again. Like Firefly.


Tobias's Blue Handprint Sandwich Cookies 
Makes about 18 sandwich cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 teaspoon salt
blue food colouring

1) In your mixer, whip together your butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add your egg, then your vanilla and blue food colouring, and continue to mix until completely incorporated  In a separate bowl, sift together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir your dry ingredients into your wet ones with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough. Form into a disc and cover completely with plastic wrap. Cool in the refrigerator for at least a half hour.

2) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. For the cookie cutting, you can use a hand cookie cutter you have at home, or make your own. Cut your hands out and place on a baking sheet. Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes, or just before the tips of your fingers start to get golden. Set them to cool before putting icing on them. 

Homemade oreo cream
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening
2 cups confectioner's sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt

1) In your mixer, whip together your butter and shortening until completely combined. Add your confectioner's sugar a bit at a time, and then add your extract. Spread over the bottom of one cooled cookie, then sandwich it with another cookie. Enjoy with your dysfunctional family.

3 comments:

Leanne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sugary Flower said...

Funny you should mention Firefly. When I saw the picture for this post pop up, my first thought was "Two by two - hands of blue..."
You could totally make these cookies do double geek duty! :)

C&C Cakery said...

@Sugary Flowers - That's funny that you were thinking about that because we totally used these cookies as a "Hands of Blue" recipe at our recent Can't Stop the Serenity bake sale!

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