Stained Glass Cookies {Glass Window Cookies}
Quick, easy stained glass cookies recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. These classic Christmas cut out sugar cookies are filled with rock candy or Jolly Ranchers.
These pretty cookies are great for Christmas, Mother’s Day or even Valentine’s Day. They make a great homemade gift for the holidays and are very fun to make with kids. They have a clear candy center so that light can shine through them. They would make such beautiful windows in this How to Make Gingerbread House {Homemade} recipe. These cookies are not to be confused with my Church Window Cookies. They are both classics and both referred to as windows, but the similarities end there.
Table of contents
How to make easy stained cookies recipe from scratch?
- Prepare cookie dough– Roll it out.
- Cut shapes– Cut out the larger shape, and then hollow out the center.
- Place on a baking tray– Fill the centers with candy.
- Bake and cool– Enjoy.
Key ingredients for stained glass biscuits
- Cookie dough– You will need a double recipe of sugar cookie dough.
- Candy– Such as Rock candy, Jolly Ranchers, or Life Savers in various colors.
Variations
Fill them with something else– You can bake hollow cookies without rock candy. Then, when they cool down, fill them with melted chocolate and sprinkles and let it set.
Use other decor options– Such as Royal Icing Recipe. Use this to pipe intricate designs on top of the stained glass, once the cookies cool completely.
Use multiple colors– Melt more than one color candy in the center. Just make sure to not over-fill the center.
Color the cookie dough– Dye the dough whatever color matches your theme, or that you prefer, for even more colorful cookies.
Use another cookie– Any cut out cookie recipe would work well here. I used sugar cookies but you also use Chocolate Sugar Cookies or Gingerbread Cookies.
Tips and techniques for stained glass window cookies
Best candy for stained glass cookies? After trying a few different candies, I found that hard rock candies like Life Savers and Jolly Ranchers work the best plus they have beautiful vibrant colors.
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature– Because this helps them blend together smoothly and evenly.
Cookies need to be rolled thick– Because this allows them to handle the weight of the rock candy. Half inch thickness works best.
Don’t overfill the cookies with candy– Because they can overflow during baking and make a sticky mess. Only fill halfway.
Don’t use cutters that have a diameter of less than 3 inches– Because these cookies look best when they are a bit large.
How many cookies does this make– This recipe made 15 cookies for me, but it depends on the size and shape of the cutters you use. Larger cookies will result in fewer cookies, and smaller ones will make more.
Use parchment paper to roll out the dough– Because this prevents it from sticking and becoming difficult to roll.
How to know when cookies are done? They are done when the edges are golden brown and the candy is fully melted.
Cool cookies completely before removing them from the baking tray– Because this ensures that the center is fully set and helps prevent the cookie from breaking.
Storage of jolly rancher cookies
Room Temperature– In a box from up to 3 days.
Refrigerate and Freeze– I avoid both because the candy center can become sticky due to the moisture.
More cut out cookie recipes
- Pistachio Cookies {Cut Out}
- Easy Funfetti Cookies {Cut Out Recipe}
- Easy Gingersnap Cookies {Cut Outs}
Stained Glass Cookies (Glass Window Cookies)
Ingredients
- 15 Sugar cookies, Double the recipe
- 15 Rock candies, Crushed, Various colors, E.g. Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers
Instructions
- Roll out cookie dough between 2 sheets of wax paper at half inch thickness.
- Use a large cutter to cut out a piece and then, use a small cutter to cut out the center. Discard this little piece.
- Place the large hollow cookie on a cookie tray, lined with parchment paper.
- Add some crushed candy in the center and use a toothpick to spread it out evenly. Only fill halfway to prevent candy from overflowing.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown and candy is fully melted.
- Let cookies cool completely before removing them from the tray. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a box at room temperature for up 3 days.
These cookies are so fun! I never knew they were so easy to make! Thank you for the easy instructions!
Oh my goodness! These are just gorgeous! Going to need to make these with my kids!