EXTERMINATE! These Dalek cookies are made with a simple sugar dough, cut out with a simple Dalek cookie stamp and then decorated with silver candy balls.
I picked up the Dalek cookie cutter and stamp on Amazon last week we tested out the Dalek cookie cutters that we picked up for about £7.50 (less than $10 USD).
The cutter is 8cm (3 inches) tall, and works well, cutting out the shapes neatly and making sharp, clear imprint of the Dalek details. It kept my family of Doctor Who fans really happy.
The other crucial element you need if you're making cookies with lots of surface detail like these is a dough that doesn't spread. Follow my cinnamon sugar cookie recipe and you'll get perfect little Daleks.
Here's how to make my Dalek cinnamon cookies. You could swap out the Dalek cookie cutters for any other shape if you prefer. I've spotted a T.A.R.D.I.S. cookie cutter that I am desperate to get my hands on!
Ingredients
- 110 g (3.9 oz) slightly salted butter softened
- 100 g (3.5 oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1 medium free range eggs
- 270 g (9.5 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
- 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- 2 tbsp silver pearls make sure they're gelatine-free, if vegetarian
Instructions
Put the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
Beat until light and fluffy.
Add the egg.
Beat again.
Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and bicarbonate of soda.
Mix using a fork, electric whisk or your hands until fully combined.
Form into a ball, cover the bowl and chill for 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan-assisted, 400F)
Work with half the dough at a time, keeping the other half wrapped in the fridge until you're ready for it. This helps to keep it cold, which makes it easier to work with.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, roll out to about 50-70mm (1/4 inches) thick.
Press the cookie cutter into the dough to cut out the cookie shape. I find it helps to dip the cutter in a little flour to prevent it sticking.
You may also need to push the plunger down to make sure the detail imprints into the dough. Lift it away separately to check.
Repeat until all the dough is used up. You might need to gather and reroll the offcuts once or twice.
Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet.
Bake for 6-7 minutes, until just beginning to brown.
Allow to firm up for a few minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Now, you can enjoy your Dalek cookies.
If you want to go a little further, you can decorate these little Daleks with a touch of icing and some silver candy pearls.
Mix the icing sugar with a few drops of water until you have a thick paste.
Using a brush or chopstick, put a tiny dab of icing on each of the nine circles around the base of each a Dalek cookie.
Immediately drop a silver pearl onto each icing dab.
Repeat for the remaining cookies and leave to set.
Don't forget to store your cookies in an airtight container so that they don't go stale or try to take over the universe.
What do you think of these Dalek cookies? Will you give them a try?
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Dalek cookies
Are Dalek cookies easy to make?
Yes, these Dalek cookies are really straightforward to make. All you need to do is beat the butter and sugar, beat in the eggs and vanilla, fold in the flour and baking powder, mix, chill, cut out, bake, and allow to cool.
You can decorate them as elaborately as you like, or leave them plain.
Will I need any special equipment to make Dalek cookies?
To make the basic cookie dough, you'll just need weighing scales and measuring spoons, an electric whisk, a large bowl, a spoon and a rolling pin.
To make them into Dalek shaped cookies just like mine, you'll need a Dalek cookie cutter. Alternatively, you could cut out the shapes by hand.
Where can I buy that Dalek cookie cutter?
I bought my Dalek cookie cutter on Amazon.
Can I make this recipe without a special cookie cutter?
Yes, absolutely. You can use any shape of cutter you like, or make circles by using a glass as a cutter. Then, once baked, you could draw some Doctor Who themed art onto the cookies with edible felt pens, royal icing in a piping bag, or writing icing pens.
Is this Dalek cookies recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these Dalek cookies are suitable for vegetarians as they contain no meat, poultry or fish.
If you are using decorations such as silver pearls, double check the ingredients on the packet, as this type of decorations often includes gelatine, which is not vegetarian.
Are Dalek cookies suitable for vegans?
These cookies contain eggs and butter so are not suitable for a vegan diet.
I have not attempted a vegan version of these cookies. However, you could replace the butter with a vegan spread, and replace the egg with one of the following alternatives (each = 1 egg, so multiply as needed for any given recipe):
- 1 tablespoon of crushed chia seeds or flax seeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes in the fridge.
- 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (the water you get in a tin of chickpeas).
- 3 tablespoons of applesauce (bear in mind this will add sweetness).
Generally, I find the chia seed option works best in cookies. Let me know how you get on.
If you are using decorations such as silver pearls, double check the ingredients on the packet, as some decorations may include gelatine, which is an animal product.
Are Dalek cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses wheat flour, so is not suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.
You could try replacing the wheat-based flour with a gluten-free flour. Results will vary depending on the quality and blend of flour. Some are designed specifically for use in pastry and may give better results.
Whichever brand you choose, I always recommend using a good quality brand, which will usually be made from a blend of different flours such as rice flour, and oat flour and usually a binding agent such as xanthan gum.
Check the labels on everything else you use to ensure each ingredient is gluten free.
Can I make Dalek cookies keto-friendly?
The flour and sugar in this recipe means it is not suitable for a keto diet.
I haven’t tried making a keto-friendly version of this recipe, but you could try replacing the flour with almond flour and replacing the sugar with coconut sugar. You'd need to leave out the decorations.
Are Dalek cookies healthy?
Dalek cookies contain quite a lot of sugar and fat, so it’s best to enjoy them as a treat.
Is this Dalek cookies recipe safe to eat while pregnant?
There is nothing in this Dalek cookie recipe that should present a risk to pregnant people if the ingredients are in good condition and have been stored correctly, and the recipe is cooked hygienically and safely.
As with all baked goods, just make absolutely sure they are cooked through.
Egg safety varies from country to country and you should always seek country-specific advice. The NHS has a great resource that will help review the latest advice regarding foods that are safe to eat while pregnant in the UK.
This website does not offer medical advice: always consult your health professional if you have any concerns.
What goes well with Dalek cookies?
These crisp little biscuits are great as a snack.
They could also make an unusual - and tasty - alternative to a gift tag, or a Christmas tree decoration. You could even personalise some cookies to give as gifts.
I haven’t got butter, can I use margarine?
You can use margarine, but the flavour will not be as rich.
When choosing a margarine for this cookie recipe, try to find one with as high a fat content as possible: lower fat margarines have a high water content, and too much water in these cookies can make them tough, and can make them spread so you could lose the definition in the cookie shape and stamping.
How should I store my Dalek cookies?
It is best to store these cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresher for longer.
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then seal them in an airtight container and place somewhere dark, dry and cool such as a kitchen cupboard or pantry.
How long do Dalek cookies keep?
These Dalek cookies will keep for up to a week in an airtight container.
Can I leave Dalek cookies out on the counter?
These cookies are fine on the counter for a few hours, but will start to dry out if left out uncovered for long periods of time, so it’s best to get them into a sealed container and place somewhere dark, dry and cool such as a kitchen cupboard or pantry, as soon as possible.
Can I make the dough for these Dalek cookies ahead?
If you want, you can make the dough ahead of time and wrap it really well, ready to use within the next 2 days. If your refrigerator is really cold, when you're ready to get baking, you might need to allow the dough to sit for 10-20 minutes until it's soft enough to roll.
You can also freeze it (again, tightly wrapped) for up to 3 months.
Can I keep my Dalek cookies in the refrigerator?
If you keep your Dalek cookies in an airtight container, you do not need to refrigerate them.
You can keep these cookies in the fridge if you prefer, but let them get up to room temperature before serving, as the flavour and texture will be better.
Can I freeze Dalek cookies?
Yes, these Dalek cookies freeze well. Make sure they are thoroughly cooled after baking, then place in an airtight container or ziplock bag for freezing.
If you are stacking the cookies in layers, place baking parchment between each layer. Aim to leave as little empty space in the container as possible as this will reduce the likelihood of freezer burn.
Properly stored, they should keep for about three months.
What is the best way to defrost Dalek cookies?
Ideally, you should defrost the cookies slowly overnight.
You could also defrost in the microwave but make sure you use short bursts, at a low/defrost setting, to avoid drying them out.
If you have chosen to ice the cookies, ideally avoid using the microwave to defrost as it may melt the icing.
Can I make Dalek cookies in a different quantity?
If you'd like to make more or fewer Dalek cookies, no problem! Just click the portion number on the recipe card below (it will say '26' by default) and a slider should appear.
Move the slider up and down to alter the quantity. The measurements for all the ingredients will automatically change to suit the quantity chosen.
You can bake up to two trays of cookies at a time in a standard sized oven, on two shelves.
Can I make Dalek cookies in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
Yes, you could use the whisk or paddle beater on high speed to cream the butter and sugar and then to beat in the eggs.
Once you add the flour, though, it's better to be more gentle, so either mix the dry ingredients in by hand or use a low, pulsing speed, and do not overbeat: the wet and dry ingredients should be well combined, but do not beat any longer than that.
Can I make Dalek cookies with a food processor?
Yes, if you need to, you could use the blade attachment to cream the butter and sugar and then to beat in the eggs.
I wouldn't recommend using a food processor to mix in the flour though as you could overwork the gluten in the flour very easily, leading to tough cookies.
How can I make sure my cookies are perfectly cooked?
These thin, delicate cookies only need 6-7 mins baking, so watch them carefully once they are in the oven - they are done when they are just starting to colour.
Your cookies will crisp up considerably as they cool, so do not worry if they are soft when they first come out of the oven.
Why did my cookies turn out dry, burned or crumbly?
If your cookies were dry and crumbly, it's most likely that your mix was too dry.
It's possible you added too much flour, or your egg was too small. A standard egg is about 50ml - if you are unsure if your eggs are too big or too small, pour them into a measuring jug and see if they are about right.
If your cookies were burned, they were in the oven too long, or at too high a temperature. These cookies need only a very short time in the oven, until very slightly coloured; they will be soft when you take them out, but that is nothing to worry about because they firm up as they cool.
If you regularly have problems with inconsistent bakes, it could be that your oven temperature is hotter than the dial suggests. This is really common with home ovens and I’d recommend investing in an oven thermometer. Try keeping it in view for the whole bake, as some ovens preheat accurately but then continue to rise past the required temperature as they bake.
It’s also common for ovens to be hotter on one side, so you might find that half of your tray cooks a little more slowly than the other side. There’s not an awful lot you can do about this, but if you suspect it to be a problem, try rotating the tin halfway through the bake.
Why did my cookies turn out soft?
If your cookies were soft, it is possible you did not bake them for long enough. You need to see a slight colour on them to know they are ready to take out of the oven.
If you replaced the butter with margarine or plant-based spread, this may have affected the texture. Try to replace butter with a high-fat alternative in this bake: low fat spreads contain a higher percentage of water than butter, which can cause these cookies to lose their crisp texture.
Why did my cookies lose their detail?
If your cookies spread and lost detail, you probably did not chill the dough for long enough before baking. The warmer the dough when it goes into the oven, the more likely it is to spread while baking.
This dough is, in my experience, really good at holding even the small, delicate shapes in the stamp detail, but to be extra sure of a great result, the dough should go into the oven cold.
Why did my cookies go puffy?
If your cookies rose and went puffy, you might have beaten the mixture too hard with your whisk. The butter and sugar needs whisking until well combined and lightened slightly in colour, but over whisking at this stage or when you add the egg can add air bubbles to the batter, which will expand in the oven and make your cookies puff up.
Alternatively, it could be that you added too much raising agent, which would cake the cookies rise more than they should.
How can I add/change the flavours in my Dalek cookies?
Given that these are thin, crisp cookies, I do not recommend adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts or other chunky ingredients to this dough.
However, you could alter the flavour in one of the following ways (note: I haven't tested them all!):
- replace up to 70g (2 1/2 oz) flour with ground almonds, ground pistachios or other ground nuts;
- add other ground spices, cocoa, coffee powder or fruit powders to the flour;
- add finely grated citrus zest in with the eggs;
- add flavour extracts in with the egg. Note: extracts can be very strong, and their strength varies from flavour to flavour and from brand to brand, so add a drop at a time until you get the flavour you require.
Just be sure to check any additional ingredients in line with the dietary requirements of anyone who'll be eating them.
Can I add extra decorations to these Dalek cookies?
Yes, let your creativity run wild when decorating these Dalek cookies!
You can use different colours of icing, different cake decorations and sprinkles, edible glitter, even gold leaf!
Just be sure to check any additional ingredients in line with the dietary requirements of anyone who'll be eating them.
What is the origin of this recipe?
Crisp cookies flavoured with sugar and spices were considered a luxury throughout Europe until well into the 19th century. Sugar and spice were expensive, imported goods, so English gingerbread makers and Flemish speculaas makers were considered dessert artists, working for the very richest in society.
In many European courts, the designing and decorating of these cookies was an elaborate - and competitive - art, involving huge, intricate pieces, adorned with beautifully piped and coloured icings and gold leaf.
As to the origin of the Daleks: only a Time Lord can tell…
Print this Dalek cookies recipe
Here's the recipe for these Doctor Who inspired cinnamon cookies again in an easy to print format.
Dalek Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 110 g (3.9 oz) slightly salted butter softened
- 100 g (3.5 oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1 medium free range eggs
- 270 g (9.5 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
- 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- 2 tbsp silver pearls make sure they're gelatine-free, if vegetarian
Instructions
- Put the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and beat again.
- Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and bicarbonate of soda.
- Mix using a fork, electric whisk or your hands until fully combined.
- Form into a ball, cover the bowl and chill for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan-assisted, 400F).
- Work with half the dough at a time, keeping the other half wrapped in the fridge until you're ready for it. This helps to keep it cold, which makes it easier to work with.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, roll out to about 50-70mm (1/4 inches) thick.
- Press the cookie cutter into the dough to cut out the cookie shape. I find it helps to dip the cutter in a little flour to prevent it sticking.
- You may also need to push the plunger down to make sure the detail imprints into the dough. Lift it away separately to check.
- Repeat until all the dough is used up. You might need to gather and reroll the offcuts once or twice.
- Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 6-7 minutes, until just beginning to brown.
- Allow to firm up for a few minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Now, you can enjoy your Dalek cookies or, if you want to go a little further, you can decorate these little Daleks with a touch of icing and some silver candy pearls.
- Mix the icing sugar with a few drops of water until you have a thick paste.
- Using a brush or chopstick, put a tiny dab of icing on each of the nine circles around the base of each a Dalek cookie.
- Immediately drop a silver pearl onto each icing dab.
- Repeat for the remaining cookies and leave to set.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Pin these Dalek cookies
More cookies and cakes to try
Don't forget to explore my cakes and cookies recipes for more inspiration for your next bake. Here are some of my favourites.
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rachel says
These look and sound fantastic, currently baking them now. I just wanted to point out though your instructions and ingredients are totally different? I just replaced the 'vanilla' for cinnamon and left the food colouring out. Just thought youd like to know ;)
Thanks for the recipie x
Emily Leary says
Ah yes, not sure how that happened. Have corrected now but sounds like you'll be fine if you've use the ingredients as listed :)
Emily Leary says
And thank you!
tattooed mummy says
Oh these look great! I'm terrible at biscuit making (though my Ninja Bread men turned out ok) maybe I'll give this recipe a whirl ... now I need the cookie cutters!
Kim Carberry says
They are the best things I've seen in ages!! Fantastic!!