Description
These colorful Stained Glass Cookies are a fun and festive treat perfect for parties and holidays. Featuring a buttery sugar cookie base with centers filled with melted crushed hard candies that create a beautiful stained glass effect, these cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Filling
- 1 cup crushed hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring gently until a dough forms and all ingredients are well combined.
- Roll out dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch to ensure even baking and a sturdy frame for the candy filling.
- Cut cookie shapes: Use a larger cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes, then use a smaller cutter to remove the center of each cookie, forming a frame.
- Prepare cookies for baking: Place the cookie frames on an ungreased baking sheet. Fill the centers with crushed hard candies, spreading the candy evenly within the cut-out space.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, checking until the edges turn a light golden color and the candies have melted completely, creating a stained glass effect.
- Cool and set: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet entirely before attempting to move them, so the candy centers harden and become stable.
Notes
- Use different colors of crushed hard candies to create vibrant stained glass effects.
- If the candy centers do not fully harden, refrigerate the cookies to help set the filling.
- Handle the cookies carefully while warm, as the candy centers will be hot and fragile.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For best rolling results, chill the dough briefly if it becomes too soft to handle.
