SpaceX Inspired Heat Shield Sugar Cookies

Ready for a stellar snack? Why not SpaceX Inspired Heat Shield Sugar Cookies baked like SpaceX’s Starship Heatshields! Join me in starting your own cosmic bakery!

My husband and I are huge fans of Now You Know a popular YouTube channel hosted by Zac and Jesse. Link to their channel here: @NowYouKnowChannel Their latest deep dive into SpaceX’s starship program (episode 532) hit me right in the sweet spot. It all started with a post from Elon Musk on X, where he quipped about the heat shield production line: “World’s most advanced bakery.” Cue the Now you know hosts riffing on it perfectly – Jesse, with wide eyes asks, “SpaceX has opened a bakery?” followed by Zac, “Ahhh Kind of.” That playful exchange seamlessly leads into a clip revealing SpaceX’s fully automated bakery churning out thousands of iconic hexagonal heat shield tiles per day for the starship fleet. I immediately had inspiration for SpaceX Inspired Heat Shield Sugar Cookies! It takes about 40 hours from start to finish to craft a heat shield tile for Starship, but whipping up a batch of homemade heat shield cookies takes a whole lot less and they’re out of this world delicious.

How to make SpaceX Inspired Heat Shield Sugar Cookies:

Tough on the outside (crisp edges) but soft and sweet within. My kitchen became a mini SpaceX Inspired bakery and yours can too, here’s how to make SpaceX Inspired Heat Shield Sugar Cookies…

You will need a hexagon cookie cutter, rolling pin, parchment paper, baking sheets and piping bags for icing. If you want to get really fancy some edible silver spray or a dusting of edible glitter will give it that weathered and futuristic look!

Prep the dough: Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes with a mixer) Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Shape into a disc, wrap, and chill for 1-2 hours.

Craft the tiles: Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a slightly floured surface. Stamp out hexagons with your cutter and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced 1 inch apart. Re-roll scraps sparingly to keep the dough tender.

Bake for the Stars: Slide them into the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden. These need to emerge crisp and sturdy, just like SpaceX’s tiles enduring reentry. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Decorate like Elon’s Advanced Bakery: Whip up royal icing tinted black to mimic the tiles. blending powdered sugar, meringue powder and water until pipeable – adjust with additional water as needed for flooding. Pipe outlines around each hexagon, flood with black for the base. A spritz of edible silver spray or edible glitter will give that weathered, futuristic edge. Let the cookies set for an hour, and cookies are ready for launch!

Tips and Tricks:

Be sure to chill the dough for at least 1 hour – chilling the dough prevents spreading and ensures clean defined cuts that echo the engineering of those ceramic tiles. If it starts softening while rolling, return it to the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

Don’t have a hexagon cookie cutter? You can purchase one here or create your own! Using a cereal box carton or other cardboard, use a ruler to draw a hexagon with 1.5 -2 inch sides. Cut out the design and use a paring knife or pizza cutter to cut clean edges. Lightly dust the cardboard with flour to prevent sticking, and wipe your knife between cuts to avoid jagged edges.

No Piping Bags? Use plastic baggies. Spoon it into a a sturdy zip-top baggie, push it to one corner, snip off a tiny tip. (start small – you can always cut more). Pipe outlines first, then thin the icing slightly with water for flooding the centers. Pro-Tip: Practice on parchment paper to perfect your flow!

Boost your flavor with add in items: Almond Extract about a 1/2 tsp added to the dough adds a subtle nutty warmth that pairs beautifully with the buttery base. Other options include Orange or lemon zest about a 1/2 tsp for a citrusy pop. Try a 1/4 tsp of cinnamon for a cozy undertone. Keep additions minimal to let the cookie shine through. If adding inclusions incorporate with the wet ingredients (butter, sugar, and eggs) for even distribution.

Finally roll the dough evenly for uniform cookies, inconsistency leads to cookies that bake inconsistently. A uniform 1/4-inch thick dough ensures every cookie is a perfect “heat shield”. Try one of these rolling pins that help you ensure uniformity every time!

Looking for another great cookie recipe a little more down to earth? Try our Chewy Apple Oatmeal Cookies!