Sunday, December 16, 2012

Stained Glass Cookies

Now, more than ever, it's cookie time!!! and these ones are just perfect for this time of the year. Not only do they look so amazing that you can decorate your Christmas tree or your windows with them, but they also taste good and are one hundred per cent biodegradable :D

Stained Glass Cookies

Ingredients
(for about two baking trays)
250 g all-purpose flour
150 g sugar
125 g butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
una teaspoon ground cinnamon
a pinch of salt
hard candies in different colors

Directions
In a large bowl cream together softened butter and sugar. Add egg and mix until light and smooth, about 1 minute on medium speed if you use an electric mixer. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Blend just until flour is incorporated. Form two balls with the dough, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.

Meanwhile we can prepare the candies. Remove any wrappers on candies and separate them by color. One way to crush the candies is puting them by colors into plastic bags and using a mallet. Another option is to put the candies in the oven (on a tray with waxed paper), at a medium-low temperature, until they are melted into flat discs. This way we can crack them easly by hand.

After the dough has cooled, place one ball between two large sheets of waxed paper and roll carefully to 5-6 mm (approx. 1/4-inch) thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into desired shapes. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart. Using a smaller cookie cutter or a knife, cut shapes into centers of cookies, reserving these center bits to add into extra dough. Follow the same procedure with the rest of the dough (or you can keep it in the refrigerator up to two days if you want to do the second batch of cookies later).

Stained Glass Cookies

Use a spoon to sprinkle the crushed candy into the hollowed-out centers of the cookies, filling to the edges. Try to keep the candy within the centers as any candy specks that fall on the cookie will color the cookie. If cookies will be hung as ornaments or decorations, poke a small hole in the top of each cookie before baking.

Stained Glass Cookies

Bake 9 to 10 minutes in pre-heat oven (190º C/375°F). The candy should be melted and bubbling and the cookies just barely beginning to brown. Remove baking sheets from oven and place on wire racks to cool. Allow cookies to cool on pans at least 10 minutes; otherwise, the candy centers may separate from the dough. When cookies are completely cooled, remove and store in an airtight container. String with ribbon if you want to hang as an ornament.

(Based on this recipe)

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