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To make stained glass sugar cookies, gather these ingredients: - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract - 1 cup crushed hard candies (various colors) - Optional: edible glitter for garnish These ingredients create a soft, sweet cookie with a beautiful candy center. You can make some changes if you need to. Here are a few ideas: - Use coconut oil instead of butter for dairy-free cookies. - Swap almond extract for more vanilla if you prefer. - Try gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version. - Replace hard candies with jelly beans for a chewy center. Feel free to mix and match these options based on your tastes. Having the right tools makes your baking easier. Here’s what you need: - Mixing bowls for combining ingredients - Whisk for mixing dry ingredients - Electric mixer for creaming butter and sugar - Rolling pin to roll out the dough - Cookie cutters for shaping the cookies - Baking sheets lined with parchment paper - Wire rack for cooling the cookies These tools will help you create the perfect stained glass sugar cookies. For the full recipe, check out the details above! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps the cookies bake evenly. Next, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set this aside. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Beat them until the mix is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Then, add 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Mix until everything is well combined. Once your dough is mixed, divide it in half. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape. After chilling, take one half out and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes from the dough. Make sure to cut shapes in the center of each cookie. This is where the stained glass effect will shine! After cutting, place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Fill the center holes with 1 cup crushed hard candies in various colors. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes. Look for firm edges but a soft center. The candy should melt within the cookie cutouts. After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For a special touch, sprinkle some edible glitter once they cool. For the full recipe, check out the details provided. To get that stunning stained glass look, choose colorful hard candies. Crush them into small pieces. Fill the center of each cookie cutout with the candy before baking. Make sure to not overfill. If you do, the candy will spill over. Bake until the edges are firm, but the center is soft. This helps the candy melt perfectly without burning. One mistake is not chilling the dough. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape. If you skip this step, your cookies may spread too much. Another mistake is overmixing the dough. Mix just until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough. Lastly, remember to cut out the center shapes. Otherwise, you won’t get that beautiful stained glass effect. To store cookie dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. It lasts up to a week this way. You can also freeze the dough. To do this, wrap it in plastic, then place it in a freezer bag. It can stay frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, roll it out and cut your shapes as usual. For the full recipe, check out the Stained Glass Sugar Cookies recipe. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your stained glass sugar cookies easily. Use different extracts or spices to make them unique. Instead of just vanilla, try adding: - 1 teaspoon lemon extract - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract - 1 teaspoon coconut extract - 1 teaspoon cinnamon for a warm touch Each of these flavors can change the taste of your cookies. Experiment with what you like best! The candy you choose can make your cookies pop. Mix and match colors for fun designs. Here are some great combinations: - Red and green for a festive look - Blue and yellow for a bright treat - Purple and orange for a playful vibe You can even layer the candies for a multi-colored effect. Just crush them and fill the holes. Get creative with shapes and themes! Use cookie cutters to make more than just circles. Try these ideas: - Hearts for Valentine’s Day - Stars for holidays or parties - Trees for Christmas These shapes can add fun to any occasion. You can even decorate them to match your theme! Each variation makes for a delightful treat. For the full recipe to create these colorful cookies, check out the Full Recipe. To keep your stained glass sugar cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. Line the bottom of the container with parchment paper. Place the cookies in a single layer. If you have more than one layer, add more parchment between them. This keeps them from sticking together. These cookies taste best within a week. To maintain their texture, avoid exposing them to air. You can also add a slice of bread to the container. The bread helps absorb moisture, keeping the cookies soft. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. You can freeze your cookies easily. First, let them cool completely. Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cookies in a freezer-safe bag. Seal it tightly to keep air out. When you are ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature. This way, you can enjoy these colorful treats anytime! For the full recipe, check the earlier sections. Yes, you can use many candies for the stained glass look. Hard candies work best, like Jolly Ranchers or Werther’s Originals. You can also try gummy candies, but they may not melt as well. Just crush them into small pieces. This way, you get a mix of colors and flavors. The more colorful, the better the cookies will look! To stop cookies from spreading, use cold dough. Chill your cookie dough for at least an hour. This helps firm it up. Also, don’t overmix when combining dry and wet ingredients. That can make the cookies spread too much. If you want, use parchment paper on your baking sheets. This also helps keep the shape. You can use royal icing to outline your cookies. After the icing dries, you can add sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle. You can also use food coloring to paint designs on the cooled cookies. If you want a fun touch, use edible markers to draw on them. Let your imagination shine! To make gluten-free stained glass cookies, swap all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour. Look for a blend that works for baking. You might need to add a bit more moisture. Adding a little almond flour can help too. Always check your candy to ensure it is gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty treats! These stained glass sugar cookies are fun to make and taste great. We covered ingredients, tools, and step-by-step instructions. You learned how to achieve that vibrant stained glass look and avoid common mistakes. Storing cookies and variations for flavors and shapes add fun options. Remember, creativity is key. Enjoy baking and sharing these treats with friends and family. Happy baking!

Stained Glass Sugar Cookies

Create a delightful treat with these Stained Glass Sugar Cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat! Perfect for any occasion, this recipe combines a buttery cookie with vibrant crushed candies for a beautiful stained glass effect. Follow simple steps to bake a batch of 24 scrumptious cookies that will impress your friends and family. Click now to explore the full recipe and start your baking adventure!
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Ingredients
  

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup crushed hard candies (various colors)

Optional: edible glitter for garnish

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

    Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

      Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

        Add Egg and Extracts: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Continue to beat until fully incorporated.

          Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

            Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

              Roll Out the Dough: Once chilled, remove one portion of the dough from the refrigerator. Roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.

                Cut Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Make sure to also cut out shapes in the center of each cookie for the stained glass effect.

                  Add Candy: Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Fill the center holes with crushed hard candies of your choice.

                    Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, until the edges are firm but the middle is still soft. The candy should melt within the cookie cutouts.

                      Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

                        Optional Garnish: If desired, once the cookies are cooled, sprinkle with edible glitter for an extra sparkle.

                          Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours | Servings: 24 cookies