Stained glass cookies are a perfect treat for the holidays. They make a great Christmas gift and are perfect for a cookie exchange. Check out how to make them at home without eggs, baking soda, or baking powder.
Whisk the butter using a stand mixer wire attachment until fluffy.
Add the powdered sugar and continue whisking until sugar is well mixed with the butter and the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and salt and mix well to form a soft dough.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
Cutting out cookies
Take some dough and roll it to a smooth ball between your palms.
With a rolling pin, roll the dough by placing it between the wax paper to about 5 mm thickness.
Cut out the cookie using a cookie cutter.
Use a small cookie cutter and press at the center of the above cookie and cut it out so you have a large cookie with a gap.
Carefully place it on the baking tray lined with a silicone mat.
Continue for the remaining dough and cut out cookies following the above steps.
Crush the hard candies and place them in the center of the cookies in the gaps.
Put the tray with cookies in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
Baking cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack at the middle level.
Remove the tray from the fridge and put it in the oven.
Bake the cookies at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes until the sides start browning.
Remove the tray and allow the cookies to cool down completely.
Notes
For best and consistent results weigh the flour and sugar using a food scale (click on the metrics link under the ingredients list for weight in grams)
Do not roll the cookie dough very thin else the cookies will become more brown.