Description
Stained Glass Cookies are artful, buttery sugar cookies with jewel-like candy centers that melt into vibrant panes of color. This festive treat pairs a classic shortbread-like dough with crushed hard candies, creating sparkling, see-through centers perfect for holidays and celebrations. Easy to assemble with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies bake into eye-catching windows, ideal for gifting, parties, and making memories with family and friends. Yields about 20 cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Assorted hard candies, crushed (fruit flavors work best)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide dough in half, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to about ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut cookies with a large cutter, then cut a smaller shape from the center.
- Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and fill centers with crushed candy.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and candy is fully melted.
- Cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
Notes
- Use fruit-flavored candies for vibrant centers.
- If centers don’t melt completely, return to oven for an extra minute or two in small increments.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a delicate finish if desired.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Get creative with shapes and cutters for year-round variations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~180
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
Keywords: Stained Glass Cookies, stained glass cookie recipe, candy center cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking, colorful cookies, easy dessert, family-friendly cookies, party treats