My friend Kristie hosted a cookies and cocktails party, and it was so much fun. She made these stained-glass window sugar cookies. They are a very classic Christmas cookie.
Prep Time2 hourshrs
Cook Time13 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: Cookie
Servings: 24cookies
Author: Melissa Jennings
Cost: $8
Equipment
1 cookie sheet
Ingredients
2 1/4 cupsall-purpose flour
1/2 tsp.baking powder
1/4tsp.salt
3/4cupunsalted butter, soft
3/4cupgranulated sugar
1large egg, room temp
15-20wholeunwrapped hard candies, such as Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers
optional topping before baking
optional topping before baking
1largeegg white or 2 TBSP water
1/3 cupcoarse 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
I purchased white sparkling sugar sprinkles (by Wilton). The egg white gives it a nice golden sheen.