Description
Delight in these charming Stained Glass Cookies, perfect for adding a splash of color and sweetness to any occasion. Soft buttery cookie frames encase vibrant melted hard candies, creating a festive and eye-catching treat that sparkles in the light.
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
Fillings
- 1 cup crushed hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, forming the base of your cookie dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg along with the vanilla extract until everything is well incorporated and the dough takes on a creamy texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to evenly distribute the raising agents and seasoning.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until you have a homogeneous dough, being careful not to overmix.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
- Create Cookie Frames: Using a smaller cookie cutter, cut out the centers of the shapes to create a frame for your stained glass effect.
- Fill Centers: Place the framed cookies on a baking sheet and carefully fill the center holes with the crushed hard candies to create the colorful stained glass design.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden brown and the candy centers have melted completely.
- Cool and Remove: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet so the candy hardens again, then gently remove the cookies to avoid breakage.
Notes
- Use a variety of different colored hard candies to create a vibrant stained glass effect.
- Make sure to crush the candies finely so they melt evenly and fill the cookie centers smoothly.
- Cool cookies thoroughly before handling to ensure the candy centers are set and less fragile.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness and prevent candy centers from becoming sticky.
- For easier cutting, chill the dough briefly before rolling out.
