Introduction
Stained Glass Christmas Cookies are a festive treat that not only look beautiful but also taste delightful. These cookies are adorned with colorful candy centers that resemble stained glass, making them perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges. Follow this easy recipe to create your own batch of eye-catching Christmas cookies!
Ingredients for Stained Glass Christmas Cookies
- 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
- Assorted hard candies (such as Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers), crushed into small pieces
- Cookie cutters (Christmas-themed shapes like trees, stars, or ornaments)
- Parchment paper
How to Make Stained Glass Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Step 2: Prepare Candy Centers
- Crush Candies: While the dough chills, place assorted hard candies in separate plastic bags and crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin or mallet.
- Arrange on Parchment: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the crushed candies on the parchment paper in the desired shapes (matching the cookie cutter shapes) with space in between.
- Bake Candies: Bake the candies in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheets.
Step 3: Shape and Bake Cookies
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the cut-out shapes on the prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Cut Out Centers: Use smaller cookie cutters or a knife to cut out the centers of each cookie, creating space for the stained glass candy.
- Add Stained Glass Candy: Carefully place a cooled melted candy piece in the center cut-out of each cookie.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 5: Enjoy!
- Serve or Store: Once cooled, serve these Stained Glass Christmas Cookies on a festive platter or package them as gifts. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
About the Main Ingredients
Butter and Sugar
Butter adds richness and flavor to the cookies, while sugar provides sweetness and helps to create a tender texture.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour forms the base of the cookie dough, providing structure. It’s essential for rolling out and cutting the cookies into festive shapes.
Hard Candies
Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers are melted to create the colorful stained glass centers of these cookies. They add a vibrant, eye-catching element to the finished treats.
These Stained Glass Christmas Cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Their colorful, translucent centers and buttery cookie base make them both visually appealing and delicious. Enjoy making and sharing these festive treats with family and friends this holiday season!
