Stained Glass Cookies

1. Stage

Preheat the oven to 375°F: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Stage

Beat together the wet ingredients: Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, and the white and brown sugars until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the molasses and vanilla extract. Add the egg and beat on medium speed until light and smooth.

3. Stage

Make the dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a third at a time, mixing until the flour is just incorporated.

4. Stage

Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half and flatten into 2 disks. Wrap the disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour or up to two days.

5. Stage

Crush the candies: Remove any plastic wrapping on the hard candies. Sort the hard candies by color and place them into separate plastic bags. Crush the candies with a mallet or rolling pin.

6. Stage

Roll out the dough: Place 1 of the dough disks between 2 large sheets of waxed paper or parchment and use a rolling pin to roll out to an even thickness of 1/4 inch.

7. Stage

Cut the shapes with cookie cutters: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into forms. Transfer the cookies to a prepared baking sheet, placing them about 1 inch apart from each other. Using a smaller cookie cutter of a similar shape or a knife, cut shapes into the centers of cookies. (You can use the centers for extra dough.)

8. Stage

Sprinkle the crushed candies into cookie centers: Sprinkle the crushed candy into the empty centers of the cookies, filling them to the edges. Try to keep the candy within the centers. Any candy specks that fall on the cookie will color the cookie.

9. Stage

Poke holes if using for decorations: If you plan on using the cookies as decorations to be hung as ornaments, poke a small hole in the top of each cookie before baking.

10. Stage

Bake: Bake at 375°F for 9 to 10 minutes. The candy should be bubbly and the cookies just barely beginning to brown. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and place on wire racks to cool. Allow the cookies to cool on the pans for at least 10 minutes; otherwise, the candy centers may separate from the dough. When cookies are completely cooled, remove and store in an airtight container. String with ribbon if you want to hang as ornaments. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!