These treats, also often referred to as stained glass cookies, are endlessly customizable from their shape to color (and flavor) of the pane. You can go all in with an intricate shape, like a snowflake or a star, or make it simple and kid friendly by sticking to a simple round cookie cutter. Whichever way you go, the cookie is buttery and crisp and the candy windowpane will always make these a standout on your holiday table.
| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 3 hr 15 min |
| Prep: | 55 min |
| Inactive: | 2 hr |
| Cook: | 20 min |
| Yield: | about 20 cookies |
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
- 1/2 cup red hard candies (such as Jolly Rancher)
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to medium high; add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Reduce the speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat until just combined. Divide the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; shape into disks. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Generously dust a work surface with confectioners’ sugar. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out the dough until about 1/3 inch thick, dusting with more confectioners’ sugar as needed. (Return the dough to the refrigerator if it gets too soft.) Cut out shapes with 3- to 4-inch cookie cutters; arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using a sharp paring knife or a small cookie cutter, cut out smaller shapes from the middle of the cookies. Reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies. Refrigerate the cookies until firm, 1 hour.
- Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Pulse the hard candies in a food processor until coarsely ground. Mound the candy inside the cut-outs of the cookies. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges and the candy is melted, about 16 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets. Dust with confectioners’ sugar; brush off any from the centers, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 20 servings |
| Calories | 179 |
| Total Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated Fat | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Cholesterol | 34 mg |
| Sodium | 43 mg |