Stained Glass Cookies
Simply Recipes
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
30-40 hard candies (such as Life Savers), preferably in several flavors/colors
1- Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat.
2- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add molasses and vanilla extract, mixing until incorporated. Add egg and mix until light and smooth, about 1 minute on medium speed.
3- Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Use electric mixer to blend just until flour is incorporated. Divide dough in half and flatten into two disks. Wrap disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour and up to 2 days.
4- Remove any wrappers on candies and separate them by color into plastic bags. Using a mallet to crush candies.
5- Place one disk between two large sheets of waxed paper and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into desired shapes. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Using a smaller cookie cutter or a knife, cut shapes into centers of cookies, reserving these center bits to add into extra dough.
6- Use a spoon to sprinkle the crushed candy into the hollowed-out centers of the cookies, filling to the edges. Try to keep the candy within the centers. Any candy specks that fall on the cookie will color the cookie.
7- If cookies will be hung as ornaments or decorations, poke a small hole in the top of each cookie before baking.
8- Bake 9 to 10 minutes. The candy should be melted and bubbling and the cookies just barely beginning to brown. Remove baking sheets from oven and place on wire racks to cool. Allow cookies to cool on pans at least 10 minutes; otherwise, the candy centers may separate from the dough. When cookies are completely cooled, remove and store in an airtight container. String with ribbon if you want to hang as an ornament.
Makes 2 to 4 dozen cookies, depending on how large you make them.
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December 3rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm · Link
Hey Shelley! thanks for the comment on my blog :) I just wanted to return the favor, and viola! here is this fantastic recipe !! I used to make these for my kids every Christmas and then I lost the recipe and I suppose over the years I have just forgotten about it. I am SO going to make this for them this year! They will be thrilled :) since both of them are adults now living on their own and never bake anything.
Thanks for the info!
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:37 pm · Link
I intend to try out the recipe. It looks so great. I’m sure your kids will enjoy them.
December 7th, 2008 at 8:29 pm · Link
These look like fun. I am getting together witha friend to bake christmas cookies and I think I will take this one with me. Simple yet produces a show.