Stained Glass Cookies – Festive Holiday Treat

These Stained Glass Cookies are a holiday showstopper! Crispy on the edges, soft in the center, and filled with colorful translucent candy, they’re perfect for decorating cookie trays or hanging as edible ornaments on the tree.

Fun to make with kids or for holiday baking parties, these cookies add a pop of color and sparkle to your festive dessert table.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups crushed hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers), assorted colors

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour mixture until dough forms.
5. Shape cookies: Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly. Cut a small circle in the center using a mini cookie cutter or the end of a piping tip.
6. Fill centers: Fill each center with crushed hard candies.
7. Bake: Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and candy centers are melted and translucent.
8. Cool: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring.

Tips for Success

• Crush candies carefully to avoid large shards that might cut hands.
• Do not overbake — the candy centers should be fully melted but not browned.
• Use silicone baking mats for easier cookie removal.

Serving Ideas

• Arrange on a festive platter or cookie tower.
• Tie with a ribbon for edible holiday gifts.
• Display as edible “ornaments” on your Christmas tree.

Stained Glass Cookies

Festive sugar cookies with translucent candy centers that sparkle, perfect for Christmas and holiday cookie trays.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Holiday

Cuisine: American, Christmas

Calories: 130

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups crushed hard candies assorted colors

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Gradually mix in flour mixture until dough forms.
5. Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly. Cut a small circle in center using mini cookie cutter or piping tip.
6. Fill centers with crushed hard candies.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and candy is melted. Cool completely before transferring.

Notes

Use silicone mats for easier cookie removal. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze baked cookies for 2 months.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• For gifting, wrap in parchment and place in a sturdy tin.

Variations

• Different candy colors: Use red and green for a Christmas theme or pastels for other holidays.
• Glittery sugar: Sprinkle colored sanding sugar on the dough edges before baking.
• Mini version: Make bite-sized cookies for trays and parties.

FAQ

Can I use any type of hard candy?
Yes — but avoid candies with filling that may bubble over. Pure hard candies like Jolly Ranchers work best.

Can these be frozen?
Yes — bake and cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Can I make them without the cut-out centers?
Yes — they’ll be traditional sugar cookies, but without the stained glass effect.