Stained Glass Cookies with Jolly Ranchers Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive and oh-so-pretty treat to wow your friends and family this holiday season, you absolutely have to try my Stained Glass Cookies with Jolly Ranchers Recipe. These beauties are not only delightful to look at with their colorful, translucent candy centers, but they’re surprisingly simple to make. I remember the first time I baked these—they were the hit of the party, sparking so many compliments I lost count. Stick with me, and I’ll share all my best tips so your cookies turn out perfectly every single time!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these magic stained glass cookies, you’ll want quality ingredients that work well together for a smooth dough and that shiny candy center. Trust me, using real unsalted butter and good flour makes all the difference in texture and flavor.

• Jolly Ranchers hard candies: Sorting by color before crushing helps keep those beautiful stained glass windows vibrant and bright.
• Unsalted butter: Softened is key here to cream easily with sugar and keep dough tender.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that slight crunch on the cookie edges.
• Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Large eggs: They bind the dough and add richness—make sure they’re at room temp for best mixing.
• Vanilla extract: A splash adds warmth and depth to the dough’s flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Spoon and level for accurate measurement to keep dough from getting too dry or too sticky.

Variations

One of the great things about my Stained Glass Cookies with Jolly Ranchers Recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve had fun tweaking the colors or even using seasonal Jolly Rancher flavors for different holidays. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

• Use different cookie cutters: I sometimes swap stars for hearts or snowflakes, and it’s amazing how the shape changes the whole vibe.
• Dietary adaptations: I’ve experimented with a gluten-free flour blend, which works okay, but I recommend chilling the dough longer to keep it sturdy.
• Flavor twists: Adding a little almond extract in place of vanilla creates a lovely nutty undertone that my family adores.

How to Make Stained Glass Cookies with Jolly Ranchers Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Jolly Ranchers Like a Pro

This is where the magic starts! I like to unwrap and sort the Jolly Ranchers by color—this makes your cookies pop with knock-out color combos. Then, bag them up in small resealable bags and gently crush each with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Avoid pulverizing them into powder; tiny, irregular bits melt more evenly and look better in the finished cookie.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

Using your stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until everything is light and fluffy. Adding the eggs one at a time ensures a smooth mix, and folding in vanilla at the end enhances flavor. Then, switch to low speed and slowly add the flour, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—I learned this the hard way when first trying this recipe; overworked dough can be tough.

Step 3: Chill, Roll, and Cut

Here’s a trick I picked up: shape the dough into a rectangle, wrap it tightly, and chill for an hour. This makes rolling easier and helps cookies keep their shape. When rolling out, dust your surface lightly with flour and aim for about 1/5-inch thickness—this thickness is perfect for a sturdy cookie that still lets that candy center shine. Use a large star cutter to punch out shapes, then switch to a smaller star cutter for the centers. That tiny cutout center can be gently removed with a toothpick if it sticks.

Step 4: Fill with Crushed Candy and Bake

Fill each cookie’s center hole about 75% full with the crushed Jolly Ranchers—this prevents overflow but guarantees a brilliant candy window. Chill the assembled cookies for 15-20 minutes before baking; this step is crucial to keep them from spreading too much. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes, until the cookie edges are set and the candy filling looks melted but not burned.

Step 5: Cool and Admire Your Masterpiece

Don’t rush the cooling process! Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet so the candy centers harden fully. I learned this patience pays off because the candy firms up like stained glass—it’s both pretty and perfect for transferring or hanging if you cut a little hole at the top before baking!

How to Serve Stained Glass Cookies with Jolly Ranchers Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep these cookies simple because they’re already show-stoppers, but a light dusting of powdered sugar around the edges adds a delicate snowy touch that’s perfect during the holidays. Sometimes, I add a tiny peppermint leaf or edible glitter on top for extra sparkle when serving at parties.

Side Dishes

Pair these stained glass wonders with a warm cup of spiced cider or your favorite chai tea—the sweet and spicy combo makes for a cozy treat. I also love serving them alongside a platter of cheese and nuts to balance out the sweetness during gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas, I’ve hung these cookies on the tree using red ribbon threaded through a small hole cut before baking. They also make stunning edible gifts when stacked elegantly in a clear cellophane bag tied with twine. Bringing a tin full of these to a potluck guarantees you’ll be the most popular guest!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. In my experience, the candy centers stay glossy and don’t get sticky, so you can bake ahead for parties or gifting without worry.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover dough before for about a month, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to bake, I let the dough thaw overnight in the fridge, then proceed as usual. The finished cookies don’t freeze well though—candies tend to lose their shine and get sticky.

Reheating

Since these cookies are best enjoyed fresh, reheating isn’t typically needed. But if you do want to soften the edges, a 10-15 second zap in the microwave does the trick without melting the candy centers again. Just watch carefully!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Stained Glass Cookies with Jolly Ranchers Recipe brings a bit of magic to the kitchen and brightens up any celebration. The combination of crunchy buttery cookies with jewel-toned candy centers never fails to impress me and my guests. If you’re looking for a truly special baking project that’s both fun and rewarding, this is it—plus, the smiles these cookies bring are priceless. So gather your ingredients, get comfy in the kitchen, and let these sweet little gems become your new holiday tradition!

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