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Stained Glass Cookies

Stained Glass Cookies
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Stained Glass Cookies are charming, buttery treats featuring crisp cookie frames with vibrant, translucent candy centers that capture light and delight any crowd. Made with simple pantry staples and easily customizable, these cookies are perfect for gifting, holidays, or fun baking projects with kids.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Candy Centers

  • Assorted hard candies (such as Jolly Ranchers or Lifesavers), crushed into small pieces

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Start by creaming the softened unsalted butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly. Gradually blend in the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt until a smooth dough forms. Chill the dough wrapped in plastic for at least 30 minutes to make rolling easier.
  2. Roll Out and Cut Shapes: On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Then, with a smaller cutter, create a window in the center of half the cookies—this is where the colorful candy will shine through.
  3. Prepare the Candy Centers: Crush assorted hard candies into small pieces using a rolling pin or food processor. Place a spoonful of crushed candy into each center window on the uncut cookie halves.
  4. Assemble the Cookies: Carefully place the cookie with the candy center on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently top each with a whole cookie (without a window) to sandwich the candy center. Press lightly along the edges to seal.
  5. Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden and the candy center melts completely into a glossy, translucent pane. Let the cookies cool fully on the baking sheet to harden the stained glass centers before moving.

Notes

  • Use hard candies like Jolly Ranchers or Lifesavers for vibrant colors and smooth melting.
  • Chill dough well to reduce spreading and keep shapes crisp.
  • Crush candies evenly for consistent melting and smooth stained glass effect.
  • Watch baking time closely to avoid burning or cracking of candy centers.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain bright colors.
  • For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend.
  • For vegan version, replace butter with plant-based alternative and use an egg replacer.

Nutrition

Keywords: Stained Glass Cookies, colorful cookies, holiday cookies, gluten-free cookies, kid-friendly baking, hard candy cookies, festive treats, baked gifts

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/stained-glass-cookies/