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Stained Glass Window Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

Stained Glass Window Cookies are charming, colorful cookies featuring a crisp buttery base with a translucent, melted candy center that resembles stained glass. Perfect for holidays and special occasions, these cookies combine classic sugar cookie dough with crushed hard candies to create a delightful and visually stunning treat that’s fun to make and eat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Candy Center

  • 8–10 Jolly Ranchers or other hard candies, crushed

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add egg and vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until fully combined.
  3. Add dry ingredients: Turn the mixer to low speed and add baking powder and salt. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix until the dough just comes together with no dry pockets.
  4. Chill the dough: Form the dough into a ball and wrap it tightly in plastic cling wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough for easier rolling and cutting.
  5. Preheat oven and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two half-sheet baking pans with silicone baking mats to prevent sticking of the candy centers.
  6. Roll and cut dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Using a 3 or 4-inch cookie cutter, cut out cookie shapes. Use a smaller 1 or 1.5-inch cookie cutter to cut out centers from each cookie shape to create the window.
  7. Arrange cookies on baking sheet: Transfer the cut cookies and centers to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Gather scraps, re-roll, and continue cutting until all dough is used.
  8. Add crushed candies: Fill each cut-out window center with crushed hard candies, filling about ¾ full to prevent candy overflow when melted.
  9. Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cookie edges just start to turn golden brown and the candy centers have fully melted into a stained glass-like finish.
  10. Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes so the candy centers set, then carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Crushing hard candies: Place the candies in a plastic ziplock bag and crush them with a hammer, mallet, or meat tenderizer. Alternatively, use a mini blender to crush the candies similarly to coffee beans.
  • Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature separated by layers of parchment paper for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for 1-2 weeks.
  • Freezing dough: Wrap shaped dough tightly in plastic wrap, store in a freezer bag, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
  • Freezing baked cookies: Not recommended as it may cause the candy centers to crack. If freezing, layer with parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
  • Alternate cookie bases: These stained glass windows can be made using other cookie doughs such as cut out shortbread, gingerbread cookies, or as part of a gingerbread house.

Keywords: stained glass window cookies, sugar cookies with candy centers, holiday cookies, festive cookies, Jolly Rancher cookies, cut-out cookies, melt candy cookies

Find it online: https://topreci.com/stained-glass-window-cookies-recipe/