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.
If you want to place these on a gift, wrap the cookie in a clear bag and tie it off at the top of the cookie, leaving out the cookie string.
Gingerbread Glass Cookies
Serves | 15 |
Prep time | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
Cook time | 7 minutes |
Total time | 1 hour, 37 minutes |
Meal type | Dessert |
Misc | Child Friendly |
Occasion | Christmas, Thanksgiving |
From book | Southern Living Cook-Off Cookbook |
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)
Directions
Step 1 | |
Beat together butter and sugar. Add egg, molasses, and water until well blended. | |
Step 2 | |
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. | |
Step 3 | |
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. | |
Step 4 | |
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. | |
Step 5 | |
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. |
Want to see where I party? Check out my party page.
Catherine says
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! 🙂
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
What a fun idea! I’ve never heard of this type of edible ornament – great for decorating with kids.
Katherines Corner says
Thank you for sharing at the Christmas Cookie Linky Party at Katherines Corner. Yum! Pinned ♥
Katherines Corner recently posted…Thanksgiving For Two
Tammy @ creativekkids says
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.
Tammy @ creativekkids recently posted…Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party, Week 55 #pinterest #linky
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
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!!
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas recently posted…Orange Walnut Spice Pound Cake
Heidy @TheMccallumsShamrockPatch says
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
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Heidy. Will come on over and link up tonight.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Roxanne says
Thanks for linking up at Pin-Worthy Wednesday, Erlene! Pinned!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks so much for pinning Roxanne.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Megan Kubasch says
How cute are these! This sounds like a really fun recipe to try! #ibabloggers
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
It’s super fun, especially with kids.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Lou Lou Girls says
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
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…Craig Claiborne’s Smothered Chicken
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks for always reminding me 🙂
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Jolena @TheRubyKitchen says
What a unique twist on Christmas cookies. Thanks for sharing!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks for stopping by Jolena. You have a wonderful food blog…I just saw your yummy looking meatball recipe.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Andrea says
Adding these beauties to my cookie exchange.
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks for adding them to your cookie exchange.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
Thank you for posting on Motivation Monday!
Shirley Wood says
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 !
Shirley Wood recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #14
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Shirley. I thought about hanging them, but the candy can get sticky if it’s humid.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Oh my goodness, those are SO pretty! I love how you used the cookie cutters to get the shapes!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
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.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Alli says
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.
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Alli. When held up to the light, the cookies are really pretty and does almost look like stained glass.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
These are so cool! i love the rustic look. What a fun project to do with your kids. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai recently posted…Sugared Cranberries – A Perfect Holiday Treat
Agy says
Cool! I was just wondering how you prevent the candy from sticking to the foil / baking sheet 🙂
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Definitely need to spray or it will stick. You could use silpat too.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Zan says
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!
Zan recently posted…Handprinted Thanksgiving Place Cards – Toddler/Preschooler Activity
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Zan. The cookie will hold the melted candy inside. Just need to make sure you don’t over fill it.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
These are adorable!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Sweet Pumpkin & Bell Pepper Sprouted Black Eyed Peas
Audrey says
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.
Audrey recently posted…Tasty Tuesdays Link Up and 7 Soup and Chili Recipes
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Audrey. I like the rustic look too.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Renee @ Renew Your Space says
This is so clever!! It reminds me of art class in school 🙂 what a fun project to do with the kids.
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
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.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Amanda @ The Anti Mom Blog says
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 🙂
Amanda @ The Anti Mom Blog recently posted…{Date Night} Bonefish Grill New Fall Menu
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks for pinning Amanda. Your daughter will have so much fun making these.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Elizabeth says
What a fun and beautiful idea, Erlene. My little ones would love to do this! Thank you. Pinned!
Elizabeth recently posted…When You Wash and Dry Your Garage Door Opener
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
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.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day These cookies brought a smile to my face as use to make these when I was little!
Cheers! Joanne
#ibabloggers
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Glad it brought a smile to your face.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
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.
Joanne/WineLady Cooks recently posted…Penne Pasta With Sausage and Peppers
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Joanne. These would make a really nice gift.
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Tiffiny says
wow! These look amazing, and what fun to do with kids. I’m pinning this for sure.
Tiffiny recently posted…Easy Snowman Craft for Kids
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks for sharing Tiffany. This is so fun with kids because they get to play with their food!
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Fall Pumpkin Makeover
Mitzi says
Love these! Just pinned to my Christmas board so I can try this out with my youngest son. Looks great- thanks for sharing 🙂
Mitzi recently posted…Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks for pinning Mitzi. It’s definitely a fun cookie to make with the kids…have fun!
Erlene at My Pinterventures recently posted…Rustic Gingerbread Glass Cookies