Stained-Glass Window Sugar Cookies
I love these stained-glass window sugar cookies. They are a very classic Christmas cookie. My friend Kristie hosted a cookies and cocktails party, and it was so much fun.
They remind me of cookies that my Granny used to make every year for Christmas. If you are looking for a traditional Christmas cookie, this is it!
You can make the “stained glass” with any color of jolly rancher or lifesaver that you like. I like to decorate the sugar cookies with coarse sugar as it really adds to the look of the overall cookie. I suggest you use the egg white to brush on the cookie as it gives it a rich golden shiny look.
Be sure to give these Stained-Glass Window Sugar Cookies a try. You will be happy you did.
Stained-Glass Window Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- 1 cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, soft
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temp
- 15-20 whole unwrapped hard candies, such as Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers
- optional topping before baking
optional topping before baking
- 1 large egg white or 2 TBSP water
- 1/3 cup coarse sugar
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl using a mixer beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be relatively soft. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, add 1 more TBSP of flour.
- Divide the door into 2 equal parts. Place each portion onto a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured baking mat. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness or slightly thinner. Use more flour if the dough seems too sticky. The rolled-out dough can be any shape as long as you roll it evenly.
- Lightly dust one of the rolled-out shapes with flour. Place a piece of parchment on top (this prevents sticking). Place the 2nd rolled-out dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours and up to 2 days.
- As the cookie dough chills, begin crushing the candies. The best way is to separate them by color in plastic bags and crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Do not crush into a fine powder but into small pebble-sized bits. This is a messy step. Set crushed candy aside.
- Once the cookie dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Carefully remove the top dough piece from the refrigerator. If it is sticking to the bottom run your hands under it to help remove it. Using the cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes. Using a small cookie cutter, cut out the center shape (you don't need this one so just re-roll it). Re-roll all the remaining dough until it is all used.
- Carefully arrange your cookies on baking sheets 2 inches apart.
- If using egg white, beat with a fork for 10 seconds and brush on the tops of the cookie and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Fill cookie centers (cut out shape) about 3/4 full of crushed candies. The candy pieces melt and expand so you don't need to overfill.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes or until candles have melted and cookies are slightly browned around the edges. Transfer to a cooling rack after the center has set.
- Cover and store in airtight container for 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Best Christmas Desserts:
Paula Deen’s Peach Cobbler – Pinned 225,500 to Pinterest! Hands down our most popular dessert recipe on the blog! You have to give it a try.
Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Pinned 13,800 times to Pinterest! So easy to make and everyone will love this one. It is festive too with the cherries.
Christmas Crack – Pinned 4,600 times to Pinterest! You can’t go wrong with this sweet treat.
Easy Potato Candy – Pinned 1,000 times to Pinterest! Easy to make and is great to give as gifts.
Peanut Butter Roll Recipe – My dad’s favorite Christmas sweet treat. You will love this easy dessert.
Crockpot Candy Crack Recipe – You can’t go wrong with this easy version of candy crack made in the slow cooker.
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Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
These stained-glass window sugar cookies remind me of my Granny. They are absolutely beautiful and a standout in a cookie exchange.