Stained Glass Cookies

$To make stained glass cookies, gather these simple ingredients: - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup assorted fruit-flavored hard candies, crushed - Optional: Colorful food coloring, powdered sugar for dusting Each ingredient plays a key role in creating these fun treats. The all-purpose flour gives the cookies structure. Baking powder helps them rise and become light. Salt balances the sweetness. Softened butter and granulated sugar blend together to form a rich base. The egg adds moisture and binds everything. Vanilla extract brings out the flavor, making each bite delightful. The crushed hard candies are the star of the show. They melt in the center, creating a beautiful stained glass look. You can choose your favorite flavors to make the cookies unique. Adding food coloring can make the dough even more festive. Dusting with powdered sugar after baking adds a sweet touch. These ingredients come together to craft a colorful and delicious treat that everyone will love. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set this mix aside. 3. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar. Mix for about 3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. 1. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. 2. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. You may need to use your hands to form the dough. 3. Divide the dough in half. You can add food coloring to one part for a fun effect. 4. Roll each piece of dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about ¼ inch thick. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. 1. Once chilled, use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Use a smaller cutter to cut a window in the center of each cookie. 2. Place the cookies on the lined baking sheets. 3. Crush the assorted hard candies and fill the center of each cut-out cookie with the candy pieces. 4. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges and melted candy. 5. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. Transfer them to a wire rack. If you like, dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness. To make your stained glass cookies shine, focus on cutting and filling. Use a sharp cookie cutter for clean shapes. After cutting, use a smaller cutter to make the window. This step is key for that glassy look. For bright colors, I recommend using fruit-flavored hard candies. Jolly Ranchers work great. They melt well and create vibrant hues. Crush the candies into small pieces. This ensures even melting and a nice fill. Chill the dough before cutting. This makes it easier to handle. Chilling keeps the shapes intact while baking. Aim for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. Add a fun touch with edible glitter or sprinkles. These can make your cookies sparkle. Just sprinkle them on before baking. It’s an easy way to elevate your cookies. If you plan to gift these treats, try creative packaging. Use clear bags tied with ribbons. This gives a lovely view of the colorful cookies. You can also place them in decorative boxes. For displaying cookies, think outside the box. Arrange them on a bright platter. Add some sprinkles around them for extra flair. This makes your cookie display pop and grabs attention. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and makes them easier to roll out. Use Quality Candies: Select high-quality fruit-flavored hard candies for vibrant colors and flavors. Jolly Ranchers work great! Creative Shapes: Get creative with your cookie shapes! Use seasonal cookie cutters for holidays or fun designs for parties. Glaze for Shine: For an extra shiny finish, brush the cooled cookies with a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your stained glass cookies easily. Instead of vanilla extract, try using almond or lemon extract. These flavors add a nice twist to the cookies. You can also play with the hard candies. Use different fruit flavors like cherry, grape, or lime. Each candy adds its own color and taste. Mixing flavors can surprise your taste buds! The shapes of your cookies can be fun and festive. Use cookie cutters to create seasonal shapes for holidays. Think hearts for Valentine's Day or stars for the Fourth of July. You can also create themed cookie designs. For example, make snowflakes for winter or flowers for spring. Get creative and let your imagination guide you! To keep your stained glass cookies fresh, use an airtight container. It helps to keep moisture out. You can stack the cookies in layers, placing parchment paper between them. This prevents sticking. Store the cookies at room temperature for the best taste. They stay good for about 5 days. If you want them to last longer, consider freezing them. To freeze stained glass cookies, first let them cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can. They can stay frozen for up to three months without losing flavor. When you are ready to enjoy them, thaw the cookies at room temperature. This keeps the texture soft and nice. Avoid using a microwave as it can make them too chewy. Enjoy your colorful treats later! Stained glass cookies are fun and colorful treats. They have a special window made of melted candy. When you bake them, the candy melts and looks like stained glass. You use cookie dough to create the cookie shape. The result is a sweet and eye-catching dessert. Kids and adults love them! Yes, you can use many types of candies for these cookies. Try hard candies like Life Savers, butterscotch, or even peppermint. Just crush them into small pieces first. Each candy gives a different color and taste. This way, your cookies can have many flavors and looks! To stop candy overflow, do not overfill the cookie cut-outs. Fill them about halfway with crushed candy. This lets the candy melt without spilling out. You can also chill the cookies before baking. This helps the dough stay firm and prevents too much melting. Making stained glass cookies is fun and rewarding. We explored the key ingredients, detailed steps, and creative tips to enhance your cookie-making experience. Remember, using vibrant candies and chilling your dough are essential for success. Don’t be afraid to try different flavors or shapes to make these cookies your own. With the right techniques, you can impress friends and family with your beautiful creations. Now, gather your ingredients and start baking delicious stained glass cookies today!$

Discover the joy of baking with this vibrant Stained Glass Cookies recipe! Perfect for festive occasions, these easy stained glass cookies are not only a visual delight but also a tasty treat with fruit-flavored candy centers. Whether you're looking for colorful cookie ideas or unique holiday cookie recipes, this recipe will brighten any gathering. Save this fun and delicious recipe for your next baking adventure! #StainedGlassCookies #HolidayBaking #CookieDecorating #BakingFun

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Ingredients

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup assorted fruit-flavored hard candies (e.g., Jolly Ranchers), crushed

Colorful food coloring (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms. You may need to use your hands towards the end to bring it together.

Divide the dough into two equal parts. If desired, you can add a few drops of food coloring to one part to create a colorful swirl effect.

Roll out each piece of dough between two sheets of parchment paper into about ¼ inch thickness. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.

Once chilled, use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Use a smaller cookie cutter to cut a window in the center of each shape.

Transfer the cut-out cookies to your prepared baking sheets.

Crush the assorted hard candies into small pieces and fill the center of each cut-out cookie with the candy pieces.

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the candy has melted.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack.

If desired, dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: Approximately 24 cookies

- Presentation Tips: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter, and consider placing edible glitter or sprinkles around them for an eye-catching display. Enjoy sharing these colorful treats!