Description
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Pastel candy-centered butter cookies are a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treat with a colorful stained-glass effect. Perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, and gifting!
Ingredients
Scale
For the cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the candy centers:
- ½ cup pastel-colored hard candies (such as Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers), crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough – Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough – Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat & Prep – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Roll & Cut the Cookies – Roll out the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use a round or flower-shaped cutter to cut cookies, then cut out smaller centers.
- Add the Candy – Place cookies on the baking sheet and fill each center with about ½ teaspoon of crushed pastel candy.
- Bake – Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies are lightly golden and candy has melted.
- Cool & Set – Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to fully cool.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing Dough: Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw before rolling and baking.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Store in layers with parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Warm in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- chill time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: dessert , cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: butter cookies, stained glass cookies, Easter cookies, pastel candy cookies, springtime dessert