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Best Stained Glass Cookies

The holidays were always a kaleidoscope of colors and scents in my grandmother’s kitchen, but nothing quite captured the magic like her stained glass cookies. I remember being mesmerized as a child, watching the sunlight stream through the vibrant, jewel-toned candies nestled within the golden cookie frames. Each bite was a burst of sweet nostalgia, a reminder of the warmth and joy of the season, and the endless possibilities that a little bit of sugar and imagination could create.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 38 minutes (includes chilling)
Yields: Approximately 30 cookies
Serves: 30
Dietary Type: Vegetarian

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups flour, all-purpose (not self-rising)
1 teaspoon baking soda
30 Jolly Rancher candies, assorted colors

Equipment Needed

Electric mixer
Plastic bag
Hammer or mallet
2 large baking pans
Wax paper or parchment paper
Cookie cutters
Sharp knife
Small containers (e.g., paper muffin cups)

Instructions

Begin by creaming together the softened butter or margarine and sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add in the egg, honey, and almond extract, and mix until well combined. The honey will contribute a distinct flavor and help keep the cookies soft.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking soda. This ensures even distribution of the baking soda and prevents lumps in the dough.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. If the dough becomes too thick for the mixer, finish mixing by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. The dough can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
While the dough is chilling, prepare the “stained glass.” Unwrap the Jolly Rancher candies and sort them by color. Place each color in a separate plastic bag.
Using a hammer or mallet, crush the candies into small pieces. The finer the pieces, the more evenly they will melt. We like to use five different colors, keeping each color in its own bag to prevent color bleeding. Pour the crushed candies into separate small containers; paper muffin cups work well for this purpose.
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking pans with wax paper or parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of slightly over 1/8 inch. If the dough is too cold to roll easily, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.
Cut out desired shapes of cookies using cookie cutters. Then, using a clean, sharp knife or smaller cookie cutters, cut out various shapes in the center of each cookie to create openings for the melted candy. The shape of the center cut-out is just as important as the cookie’s main shape, allowing for creativity and personal touches.
Reroll any scraps of dough until all the dough is used up.
Place the cookie shapes on the prepared baking pans, leaving a little space between each cookie.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown.
Remove the baking pans from the oven. Carefully fill the cut-out areas in the center of each cookie with the crushed candy, making sure to fill them very full, as the candies will melt down and shrink slightly. The more candy you use, the more vibrant the stained glass effect will be.
Return the baking pans to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes, or until the candies are melted and smooth. Keep a close eye on the cookies during this final baking stage to prevent the candies from burning.
Remove the baking pans from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the baking pans. As they cool, the melted candy will harden and create the stained glass effect.
Once the cookies are completely cool, carefully peel them off the wax paper.
Store the stained glass cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Expert Tips & Tricks

For the most vibrant stained glass effect, use a variety of brightly colored Jolly Rancher candies. You can also experiment with other hard candies, but make sure they melt smoothly and evenly.
If you find that the candy centers are becoming too hard, try placing a few slices of bread in the airtight container with the cookies. The bread will absorb excess moisture and help keep the candy soft.
To prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin and surface, lightly flour both before rolling.
If the baked cookies spread too much during baking, it could be due to the dough being too warm or overmixing. Ensure adequate chilling time.
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of salt to the dough along with the flour and baking soda. This will enhance the sweetness of the honey and candies.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve these beautiful stained glass cookies as part of a holiday dessert spread, or package them up as a thoughtful homemade gift. They’re perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to any occasion.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The candy centers may become sticky over time, but this does not affect the taste. To maintain their texture, consider storing them in a single layer with wax paper between each cookie. Freezing is not recommended as it can affect the texture of the candy.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	98 kcal	N/A
Total Fat	2.3 g	3%
Saturated Fat	1.4 g	6%
Cholesterol	12.5 mg	4%
Sodium	59.4 mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate	18 g	6%
Dietary Fiber	0.3 g	1%
Sugars	8.5 g	N/A
Protein	1.6 g	3%

Variations & Substitutions

Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You may need to add a binder like xanthan gum to improve the texture.
Different Extracts: Experiment with different extracts such as vanilla, lemon, or orange to customize the flavor of the cookie dough.
Candy Alternatives: While Jolly Ranchers are classic, you can use other hard candies of your choice. Just make sure they melt evenly and hold their color well.
Citrus Zest: Add the zest of a lemon, orange, or lime to the dough for a burst of fresh flavor.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the dough to give them a warm and festive flavor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why is it important to chill the dough?
A: Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Q: Can I use different types of hard candies besides Jolly Ranchers?
A: Yes, you can use other hard candies, but ensure they melt smoothly and evenly and that the colors are vibrant.

Q: How do I prevent the candy centers from becoming too hard?
A: Store the cookies in an airtight container with a few slices of bread to absorb excess moisture.

Q: What is the best way to crush the Jolly Ranchers?
A: Place the candies in a plastic bag and use a hammer or mallet to crush them into small pieces. The finer the pieces, the more evenly they will melt.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, the dough can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Final Thoughts

These stained glass cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a work of art, a symbol of creativity, and a reminder of the simple joys of baking. Don’t be intimidated by the process; embrace the fun of crushing candies and shaping cookies. I encourage you to try this recipe and create your own edible stained glass masterpieces. Share your creations with friends and family, and let the light shine through your delicious works of art!

Best Stained Glass Cookies Recipe