I know that “rustic” is an odd word to use for cookies, but these sort of gave me that impression because they aren’t your typical stamped out cookie cutter glass cookies. You know, those pretty white colored glass cookies that are cut out with cookie cutters and are absolutely perfect. Well, these cookies are far from perfect and have a more handmade look, but they taste good and are a lot of fun to do with kids.
I found this recipe in a Southern Living cookbook called “Southern Living Cook-Off” and liked that it wasn’t the typical glass cookie recipe. When the cookie is baked, it has a nice tan color and you can definitely tell that it was handmade.
It’s a pretty simple recipe. The basic, mix the wet ingredients first and then the dry in a separate bowl. Combine both mixtures and mix well until a nice dough forms. Once this is done, cover it and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour to stiffen up.
While the dough is in the refrigerator, get the remaining items ready – cookie cutters, candy, and baking sheet. For the candy, I placed each candy flavor into separate bags and used my meat mallet to crush them as finely as possible. I also lined my baking sheet with foil and very lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
Lastly, I gathered up standard 3″ cookie cutters and sprayed the outside of each with cooking spray. If you don’t have holiday cookie cutters, don’t worry. You can always do free hand shapes because these aren’t supposed to be cookie cutter perfect and you can make any shape you want. Maybe even trace the hands of small toddlers and use that as a guide. Don’t you think that would be such a cute gift to give grandpa and grandma? Cute cookie hands :-)Before taking the dough out of the refrigerator, lightly flour your working surface. Take small portions of the dough and roll out into 8-10 inch lengths that are about 1/2 inch wide.
Take the dough and wrap around the outside of the cookie cutters and pinch the ends together. Slowly wiggle the cutters out and reshape if needed. My daughter reshaped the tree to make the branches more pronounced.
Add about two tablespoons of crushed candy into the center of each shape. Try not to place too much candy in the center or you will have a thick center and it will be hard to eat. You want to have a very thin “glass” center of about 1/8″ when the candy melts.
Tip: If using Jolly Ranchers, try using only one flavor per cookie because we noticed that the candy became tart when the flavors/colors were mixed. We also preferred the flavor of Life Saver candies to the Jolly Rancher candies for this recipe. Don’t these look so fun! If you plan on hanging these, make sure you punch a hold at the top of the cookie. We used the end of a lollipop stick to make our holes.
Place the cookies into the oven and bake for about 7-8 minutes. The candies should be bubbling and the cookies may look uncooked, but it will firm up once cooled.
Let the cookies cool for at least an hour before your start handling them. I loosen the cookies from the foil when they are almost cooled completely and let them cool for the remaining time. Once the cookies are ready, they can be used as gift toppers by wrapping just the cookie in a clear bag and tying the ribbon to the present. These rustic gingerbread glass cookies would also make great cookie ornaments on a mini tree for a party. And of course, you could just place them in a cookie jar to eat too!
What’s your favorite holiday cookie?
Rustic Gingerbread Glass Cookies
How to make stained glass gingerbread cookies. Fun baking to do with the kids.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 Large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 13 oz. package hard candy (Use Life Savers or Jolly Ranchers)
Instructions
- Beat together butter and sugar. Add egg, molasses, and water until well blended.
- Mix together four, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Add this dry mix to the butter mix and stir until well blended. Cover this bowl and chill for at least an hour.
- While dough is chilling, separate the candy by color into bags and crush. Set this aside for later. Cover your baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Set this aside. Take your cookie cutters and lightly spray the outside with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Take small portions of chilled dough and roll out into 8-10 inch long ropes that are about 1/2 inch thick. Place your cookie cutters onto your cookie sheet and wrap the dough ropes around the outside of the cutter. Pinch the ends of the rope together and slide the cutter out. Repeat this step until all the dough is used. If you are planning on hanging these, make small holes at the top of the cookie shape that are just large enough to place ribbon through. Fill the centers of each cookie shape with 2 tablespoons of crushed candy.
- Bake at 350F degrees for 7 minutes. Do not over bake cookies as they will burn easily. Cool completely for at least 1 hour before handling.
Recommended Products
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LIFE SAVERS Hard Candy 5 Flavors, 50-Ounce Party Size Bag -
Jolly Rancher Original Flavors: 3.8 oz (107 g) Bag -
Superior Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids - 8 Piece Mixing Bowl Set with BPA- Free lids -
Good Cook 3-Piece Mixing Spoons Set -
Heat Resistant Silicone Spatulas Set for Nonstick Cookware -
Baking Sheet Cookie Sheet Set of 2, Stainless Steel Baking Pans Tray Professional 16 x 12 x 1 inch, Easy Clean & Dishwasher Safe -
Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil, 200 Square Feet -
Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll with SmartGrid, 45 Square Feet
I love how pretty these look! We have to stay away from food dyes in our house, but would look so pretty hanging on our tree. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
What a fun idea! I’ve never heard of this type of edible ornament – great for decorating with kids.
Thank you for sharing at the Christmas Cookie Linky Party at Katherines Corner. Yum! Pinned ♥
I think these are so cool! I featured them on today’s party! Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party! I’ve pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
These look so festive, I can imagine they really sparkle being hung on a Christmas tree. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Your recipe looks so delicious! Thank you for joining us this last weekend on #PureBlogLove recipe and DIY craft Link Party! I hope to see you this Thursday night again, the party starts at 8 pm EST and runs all weekend! I can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up next!
XoXo
Heidy L. McCallum
Thanks Heidy. Will come on over and link up tonight.
Thanks for linking up at Pin-Worthy Wednesday, Erlene! Pinned!
Thanks so much for pinning Roxanne.
How cute are these! This sounds like a really fun recipe to try! #ibabloggers
It’s super fun, especially with kids.
Hello cute lady! Super cute. Pinned. We really appreciate you taking the time to stop by our party. It wouldn’t be a party without you. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks for always reminding me 🙂
What a unique twist on Christmas cookies. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Jolena. You have a wonderful food blog…I just saw your yummy looking meatball recipe.
Adding these beauties to my cookie exchange.
Thanks for adding them to your cookie exchange.
Thank you for posting on Motivation Monday!
These cookies are absolutely beautiful! I’m not sure if I want to eat them or hang them on the tree! I like your idea for putting them on a gift too.
These would be fun to make with the grandchildren.
Loving all the cookie recipes at the #ultimatecookieparty !
Thanks Shirley. I thought about hanging them, but the candy can get sticky if it’s humid.
Oh my goodness, those are SO pretty! I love how you used the cookie cutters to get the shapes!
Thanks Kristen. The cookie cutters help to make the shape, but you really don’t need them if you want to free style making the shapes.
These are too cute! I love the rustic look and I think they’re beautiful! It almost looks like stained glass in the middle. Adorable.
Thanks Alli. When held up to the light, the cookies are really pretty and does almost look like stained glass.
These are so cool! i love the rustic look. What a fun project to do with your kids. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Cool! I was just wondering how you prevent the candy from sticking to the foil / baking sheet 🙂
Definitely need to spray or it will stick. You could use silpat too.
So talented…even in your baking! That is such a neat idea! I am still trying to figure out how you got the candy to remain inside the dough after cutting it with the cutters – even though you explained it here!
Thanks Zan. The cookie will hold the melted candy inside. Just need to make sure you don’t over fill it.
These are adorable!
I love the rustic look of these cookies, and the spicy molasses cookie sounds like a great holiday treat.
Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays.
Thanks Audrey. I like the rustic look too.
This is so clever!! It reminds me of art class in school 🙂 what a fun project to do with the kids.
Thanks Renee. I wish art class was still part of the elementary/middle school curriculum, so I try to do art/craft things at home when I can.
i love everything about these rustic cookie ornaments! pinning these so i can make them with my little one, she is going to freak! thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for pinning Amanda. Your daughter will have so much fun making these.
What a fun and beautiful idea, Erlene. My little ones would love to do this! Thank you. Pinned!
Thanks Elizabeth. I think your little ones would totally enjoy making these. My 11yr old loved pouring all the candies into the shapes. She thought the colors would stay the way she arranged it…lol. She was surprised when the cookies came out with the colors all swirled together.
G’day These cookies brought a smile to my face as use to make these when I was little!
Cheers! Joanne
#ibabloggers
Glad it brought a smile to your face.
I’ve made stained glass cookies with my grandsons a few years ago. Your cookies look gorgeous. I love the handmade look you gave them. What a beautiful gift as well.
Thanks Joanne. These would make a really nice gift.
wow! These look amazing, and what fun to do with kids. I’m pinning this for sure.
Thanks for sharing Tiffany. This is so fun with kids because they get to play with their food!
Love these! Just pinned to my Christmas board so I can try this out with my youngest son. Looks great- thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for pinning Mitzi. It’s definitely a fun cookie to make with the kids…have fun!