Stained Glass Stars

The vibrant colors that animate Brian Clarke: The Art of Light inspired our update of a holiday cookie classic.

Makes 30 cookies*
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes

Ingredients

• Jolly Ranchers hard candies (approx. 20 in various colors)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for dusting
• Sandwich bags
• A mallet or hammer
• A cookie cutter (we used a star)
• Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
• A cookie sheet

Instructions

1. Unwrap and separate Jolly Ranchers by color, then place in separate small resealable sandwich bags. Crush into small bits (not powder) using a hammer or mallet, set aside.
2. In bowl, cream together butter, sugar and salt until well combined. 
3. Mix in eggs one at a time then blend in vanilla.
4. Mix at a low speed and slowly add in flour and mix until well combined.
5. Scrape dough out and shape into a rectangle, wrap in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour.
6. Cut chilled dough into thirds. Leave one portion out to work with and chill remaining.
7. Roll dough out onto a floured surface (about 1/5-inch thick). Cut out as many large stars as possible using a star shape cookie cutter.
8. Transfer cut stars to baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat*. Cut a smaller star from the center of each and remove**. Re-roll and cut scrap dough.
9. Fill cut out centers about 3/4 of the way with crushed jolly ranchers. Chill cookies in refrigerator until firm, about 15 - 20 minutes. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees.
10. Bake cookies until light golden brown and candy center has melted, about 12 - 14 minutes.
11. Let cool on baking sheet until Jolly Ranchers have set and hardened. Repeat process with remaining refrigerated dough. Store in an airtight container.
12. Impress your friends and family with your beautiful stained glass cookies!

*You can also use chilled, premade sugar cookie dough if you'd like! We won't judge.