Although I haven't made them since childhood, I recently remembered how enamored of stained glass cookies I once was – the crushing of candies, the careful cutting and filling, and the magical transformation into translucent windows. Do you bake stained glass cookies? Here are some images, recipes, and tips inspiring me to revisit this old favorite.
1 Stained-Glass Teardrops, from Gourmet. These jewel-toned teardrops prove that stained glass cookies can be sophisticated enough for adults.
2 Stained Glass Cookies, from Yankee Magazine. If you've never made stained glass cookies before, this article has good step-by-step photos.
3 Crystal Snowflakes, from Women's Day. Decorating icing adds an extra dimension to these pretty snowflakes.
4 Orange & Ginger Stained Glass Biscuits, from Good Food. A reminder that you're not limited to plain sugar cookie dough. We also like the light dusting of confectioner's sugar.
5 Stained Glass Trees, from Martha Stewart. If you don't have the right cookie cutter, just cut windows out with a paring knife.
Some more tips:
• Crush candy into small pieces (not powder) using a plastic bag and rolling pin.
• Spread candy in a single layer; don't overfill.
• Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
• Use a toothpick to fill in any holes that develop while the cookies are baking.
(Images: Romulo Yanes/Gourmet, Howard L. Puckett/Yankee Magazine, Kate Sears/Women's Day, Good Food, Martha Stewart)