Lotus Flower Cookies from Percy Jackson

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Somehow I missed the original run of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief when it came out in theaters in 2010. Honestly, I’m shocked I wasn’t obsessed with this series – I was at the peak of the Harry Potter/Hunger Games/Lord of the Rings obsession of the late aughts; however, my first year of college probably interrupted what would have been a genuine love for this fantasy series.

So now I have years of fandom love to catch up on – so when over 2.4k people requested that I make these lotus flower cookies on TikTok, I knew I was ready to embrace the mythological world of Percy Jackson.

In the story, Percy Jackson (a demi-god, son of Poseidon) and his best friend and protector Grover Underwood team up with Annabeth (another demi-god, daughter of Athena) to find Percy’s mother who has been captured to the Underworld. The trio can find her there, but will need three green pearls to be able to go back to the real world.

Thus begins an epic journey to find the pearls, enter the Underworld to save Percy’s mother and retrieve Zeus’ missing lightning bolt.

One of the places they visit in order to find the pearls is the Lotus Casino – located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here they are offered some lotus flowers – without knowing the lotus flowers are enchanted to keep whomever eats them in the hotel… forever.

Eating the flowers cause the trio to forget why they came to the casino – and instead they opt to give in to the good times and continue to eat the lotus cookies.

While my cookies don’t actually have any magical qualities in this recipe specifically, you can always add your own special blends of extracts (or tinctures) to make the cookies “extra special” – if you know what I mean.

Just swap out the suggestion for vanilla extract for one that gives you the effects you desire.

Making the Lotus Cookies from the Lotus Casino

These cookies have a basic sugar cookie base – but to make them the BEST COOKIE you’ll ever taste.

  • butter, sugar, salt, eggs, & flour – the basic ingredients for all sugar cookies
  • white chocolate pudding mix – the secret ingredient for a chewy, crispy cookie
  • vanilla extract – for added flavor or swap in your favorite “special” extract
  • baking soda – to give the cookies some extra rise

Once the cookies have been baked, let them set on the baking sheet for a few minutes after to finish baking, then transfer the cookies to a wire baking sheet to cool completely. It’s extremely important the cookies are completely cooled in order to add the frosting.

Perfect “Crusting” Buttercream

We are looking to make a “crusting” buttercream. “Crusting” just means we want the frosting to take on a crispy exterior (for some crunch) but remain soft and smooth inside when you take a bite.

  • butter – for added texture and taste
  • shortening – will help stabilize the buttercream
  • powdered sugar – to create the frosting and add sweetness
  • milk – to bring the frosting to the proper consistency
  • vanilla extract – for added flavor
  • neon pink food coloring gel – or your favorite food coloring color (I found neon pink was the closest match in my collection!)
  • pink luster dust – for an added bit of sparkle

We’ll leave the cookies at room temperture to set to achieve this crispy outer layer.

Lotus Cookies from Percy Jackson

The Starving Chef
Inspired by the lotus cookies served at the Lotus Casino. Feel-good effects: OPTIONAL.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 15 minutes
Course Copycat Recipes, Fictional Feasts
Cuisine Cookies
Servings 10 cookies

Equipment

Ingredients
  

FOR COOKIES:

FOR BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

Instructions
 

FOR COOKIES:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla extract.
  • Add the baking soda, salt and pudding mix and mix together. Then with the stand mixer on low, slowly add the flour until a thick – but not sticky – dough comes together. Stop to scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally.
  • Once the dough has formed, grab about 1-2 tablespoon sized portions of the dough and roll into balls. Place the dough 2-3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cookies have spread out and have cracked lightly across the top.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven. Leave them on the baking sheet to set for about 10-15 minutes prior to transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Do not chill.
  • While the cookies are cooling, set out the butter for the frosting and bring it to room temperature.

FOR BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

  • In a small bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together ther butter, shortening and vanilla extract.
  • Slowly add the powdered sugar, about a 1/2 cup at a time, and mix until a crumbly mixture forms. It will look like the frosting will never come together at this stage – and that's perfect!
  • Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until a smooth frosting comes together. The frosting should be very thick but also smooth. Mix in the food coloring to reach the desired shade of pink.
  • Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a leaf tip attached. Starting on the outer edges, place petals next to each other forming a ring. Work in towards the center until you have a complete lotus flower shape. Repeat with the remaining cookies and frosting.
  • Leave the cookies out to dry for at least one hour prior to dusting with luster dust.
  • Serve the cookies to unsuspecting travelers and trap them in your casino forever. Please consume responsibly.
Keyword cookies, dessert, frosting, icing
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