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 to create the illusion of a window.
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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.
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Key ingredients for glass window 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.
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.
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.
- Try 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
- Best candy for stained glass windows? 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}
- Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies (With Cake Mix)
Recipe
Stained Glass Cookies (Glass Window Cookies)
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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.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
Angela
So cute! I love both ideas. I have done the stained glass windows by crushing the candy and baking. I think this method is better because the time/temp needed for the cookies is not always idea for the sugar. Also. if you are using a sugar cookie, the candy can sort of melt into the cookie while baking and discolor it. I am really glad to see your method!!
Sandra
Ok I am totally agreeing with you..I can 100% relate with that..all until now:))) which is still under 35 ha ha ha
I wish my family bring you to me for mother's day hahaha so you can make me these..How creative, yummy for sure!!!
Happy Mother's day Abeer!!! Enjoy!
Greedy Rosie
Very, very sweet.
I even feel like I could do something approaching that!
Anne
Your cookies are beautiful! I love the stained glass effect. What a great centerpiece these would make...or better yet....a great gift! Very nice! : )
Adora
Beautiful cookies! I wish someone would make that for me. Happy Mother's Day!
Kagi
Hey Abeer,
Wow these look great! I love the cookie tree- it would make a wonderful centerpiece, I don't think I can eat anything this PRETTY! Happy Mother's day to you
Kate
WOW! That is ammmmazing! I love coming to your blog because you always have the most beautiful, most creative treats to share with us!
Abeer
Thanks so much for your detailed response. I will try doing the stained glass using your method next time. I like your idea of "fusing" colors... that would look beautiful!
Abeer
Thanks Anglela! i am glad you liked these cookies.
Check out Kats response at the bottom... she is suggesting another technique for doing stained glass. Maybe putting those candies towards the end of baking would prevent cookies from discoloring and candy from burning...
Martha
How beautiful and what a perfect Mother's Day treat!!
shabs
wowowoow, you have done it again Abeer , just brilliant , loved it
Hester Casey - Alchemy
Abeer, wow! How gorgeous are these! I love your food styling too - so beautifully presented.
Such a true account of the images of mother. Thankfully my mom is still around and is a wonderful lady whose opinion I value greatly.
Jenny
WOWZERS!!! If there was ever a baking wiz it is YOU!!! Love those hearts. Happy Mother's Day. Love your homage to your mom.
Heather
Oh my gosh, that is so fun, I adore it!!
Sprouts
Wow, amazing!!! I am sooo going to make this.
Paula
Absolutely lovely post and adorable cookie tree! Happy Mother's Day.