Magic Window Cookies

These are the cookies that double as Christmas tree ornaments. A basic sugar cookie dough gets rolled thin, cut into shapes, and then a smaller cutout in the center gets filled with crushed hard candy. In the oven, the candy melts into a translucent, jewel-colored “window” that catches the light.

The dough is straightforward: sugar, shortening, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt. Nothing fancy, because the cookie itself is just the frame for the candy window. An hour of chilling firms it up enough to roll ⅛-inch thin without sticking.

Crushing the candy takes a light touch. Wrap pieces in paper towels and tap gently. You want small chunks, not powder. Dust-fine candy fills the cutout too thinly and the window cracks when cool. Larger pieces melt more slowly and create a thicker, sturdier pane.

If you want to hang these on the tree, poke a hole near the top with a straw before baking. Thread ribbon through after cooling.

Pro Tips

• Use aluminum foil on the baking sheet. The melted candy sticks to parchment and is nearly impossible to remove from bare metal
• If the candy hasn’t fully filled the cutout after baking, spread it quickly with a metal spatula while it’s still molten
• Cool completely on the sheet before removing. The candy windows are fragile when warm and snap when cool
• Keep candy pieces as large as possible before placing. They melt easily and you need thickness for a strong window

Variations

• Use different colored candies in each cutout for a multicolored stained glass effect
• Try lemon extract instead of vanilla for a brighter, citrusy cookie
• Sandwich two cookies together with royal icing for a 3D ornament