Stained Glass Leaf Cookies
These Stained Glass Leaf Cookies are an enchanting treat that transforms any occasion into a festive celebration. Inspired by a beloved old TV show, these whimsical cookies feature vibrant candy centers that resemble stained glass windows, making them not only delicious but also visually stunning. The easy-to-follow method allows you to create beautiful treats using either homemade or store-bought sugar cookie dough. Perfect for fall festivities, holiday gatherings, or simply for the joy of baking with loved ones, these cookies are sure to impress both kids and adults alike. Once baked, they boast a crunchy exterior and a sweet, melty center that is utterly irresistible while being surprisingly simple to prepare. Gather your favorite cookie cutters and get ready to bake a batch of memories!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
2
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sugar cookie dough
1 batch (chilled)
LifeSavers five-flavor roll candy or fruit-flavored hard candies
10 packages (crushed)
Instructions
1
Select your preferred cookie dough recipe or use store-bought sugar cookie dough for convenience. Allow the dough to chill in the fridge.
2
Prepare your workspace with several cookie sheets lined with ungreased foil and ensure you have multiple on hand, as cookies will need to cool completely before being removed.
3
Separate the Life Savers or hard candies by color. Remove the sticks from any lollipops, if using, and place each color into its own resealable plastic bag.
4
Using a rolling pin, gently crush the candies inside the bag until they are in small pieces. This may take a few moments, so be patient to ensure even sizes.
5
Roll out the chilled cookie dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
6
Use a large-shaped cookie cutter, like a maple leaf, to cut out shapes from the dough. Transfer these shapes onto the prepared cookie sheets using a rubber spatula.
7
Next, take a smaller cookie cutter to cut out a shape in the center of each cookie. The shapes don’t have to match perfectly, but the smaller cutter must be smaller than the larger one.
8
If you prefer, you can use a sharp knife to carve out the centers instead of a cookie cutter.
9
Carefully fill the holes made in each cookie with the crushed candy pieces, ensuring not to overfill.
10
Place the cookie sheets in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden and the candy has melted, forming beautiful stained glass centers.
11
Once baked, remove the cookie sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely before gently lifting them from the pan.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Stained Glass Leaf Cookies?
Stained Glass Leaf Cookies are sugar cookies with translucent, colorful candy centers that resemble stained glass windows.
What kind of cookie dough should I use?
You can use any preferred sugar cookie dough recipe or a store-bought variety for convenience.
What type of candy is best for the centers?
Life Savers five-flavor rolls or any fruit-flavored hard candies work best for the centers.
How do I prepare the candy for the cookies?
Separate the candies by color, place them in resealable bags, and crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin.
Can I use lollipops for this recipe?
Yes, you can use lollipops; just ensure you remove the sticks before crushing the candy.
How thick should the cookie dough be rolled?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, allowing the sugar cookie dough to chill in the fridge before rolling helps with the cutting process.
What should I line my cookie sheets with?
Use ungreased foil to line several cookie sheets for the best results.
What is the best way to cut out the leaf shapes?
Use a large leaf-shaped cookie cutter, such as a maple leaf, to create the initial cookie shape.
How do I create the hole for the stained glass center?
Use a smaller cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut a shape out of the center of each large cookie.
Do the inner and outer shapes need to match?
No, the shapes do not have to match perfectly, as long as the center cutter is smaller than the outer one.
How do I transfer the cookies to the baking sheet?
Use a rubber spatula to carefully lift and move the dough shapes onto the foil-lined sheets.
How do I fill the centers with candy?
Carefully place the crushed candy pieces into the holes in the center of the cookies, taking care not to overfill them.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes until the dough is golden and the candy is melted.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are ready when they are lightly golden and the candy centers have completely melted into a smooth layer.
Why must the cookies cool completely on the pan?
They must cool completely so the candy centers can harden and set, allowing them to be lifted without breaking.
Is this recipe suitable for fall festivities?
Yes, the leaf design makes these cookies perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, or other autumn celebrations.
Can kids help make these cookies?
Yes, kids can help with crushing the candies, cutting the shapes, and filling the centers.
How many main ingredients are required?
This simple recipe requires only two main ingredients: sugar cookie dough and hard candies.
What is the texture of these cookies?
The cookies have a crunchy exterior and a sweet, melty, translucent center.
Should I grease the foil on the baking sheet?
No, the instructions specify using ungreased foil for these cookies.
What happens if I overfill the centers?
Overfilling may cause the candy to melt over the edges of the dough rather than staying within the center cutout.
Can I use different shapes besides leaves?
Absolutely, you can use any cookie cutter shapes to adapt these for different holidays or events.
Why do I need multiple cookie sheets?
Because the cookies need to cool completely on the sheets, having multiple pans allows you to keep baking in batches.
How should I store these cookies?
Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container to maintain their crunch and keep the centers from getting sticky.
Is a rolling pin required for the candy?
Yes, a rolling pin is an effective tool for gently crushing the candies inside resealable bags.
Are these cookies visually impressive?
Yes, the vibrant candy centers create a stunning visual effect that resembles real stained glass.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe was inspired by a whimsical treat featured on a beloved old television show.
Can I use individual colors of candy?
Yes, separating the candies by color allows you to create specific color schemes or patterns for your cookies.