Stained Glass Cookies

A fun and delicious cookie full of buttery goodness plus a hint of almond and vanilla. The colorful translucent center is made from melted candy and resembles a beautiful stained glass window.

Prep

Cook

15 minutes

Servings

3 dozen

Level

Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) Challenge Unsalted Butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • brightly colored hard candies, such as LifeSavers, Jolly Ranchers, cinnamon disks, etc.

Directions

  • 1

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

  • 2

    Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until smooth in a large bowl. Mix in eggs and almond and vanilla extract. Slowly add flour, mix until a stiff dough forms. Remove dough from bowl, and form into a large log. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

  • 3

    When chilled, remove from refrigerator and divide into three sections. Working with one section at a time, roll out into a 1/8 inch thick rectangle. Using large cookie cutter, cut as many hearts as possible and place onto prepared sheet. Using the small cookie cutter, cut a heart in the center. Remove heart to create cut out.

  • 4

    Unwrap candies and place into heavy duty zipper bag by color. Place a towel over bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, crush candies. Place small cookie cutter back into center of the heart to use as a guide. This will keep your cookie clean and make filling them much easier. Fill each center with crushed candy. Bake cookie in oven for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around edges, and candy has melted. Let cool. If desired, decorate with your favorite icing, sprinkles or candy.

Notes

  • !

    Place remaining small hearts on cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Decorate with frosting if desired, or sprinkle with colored sugar before baking.

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