Stained Glass Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Assorted flavors/colors of hard candy (Jolly Ranchers work well)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until just combined.
6. Divide dough into 2 balls and flatten into disks. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
7. While dough is chilling, remove candy from wrappers and divide by color/flavor. Place each color in a separate zip-top bag and crush into small pieces using a rolling pin or heavy object.
8. Roll out dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
9. Using a large cookie cutter, cut out shapes from the dough.
10. Use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the center of each cookie.
11. Place cookies on prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
12. Fill each cutout with desired flavor/color of crushed candy until level with the dough.
13. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown and candy has melted and filled in the cutout spaces.
14. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Verdict:

These stained glass cookies are a fun and festive treat that are sure to impress your guests! The cookie dough is simple and buttery, while the melted candy creates a beautiful stained glass effect. They make a perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve the stained glass cookies as a dessert or snack alongside a cup of hot cocoa or tea. You can also use them as decorations to hang on your Christmas tree or gift them in a festive cookie tin. Enjoy!