See Through Stained Glass Cookies

These cookies are fun to make and taste yummy too!

Here is what you need:
1 Cup ( 250 mL)   granulated sugar
1/2 Cup (125 mL) butter , softened & cooled slightly (don't use margarine, it tastes bad)
1/3 Cup (75 mL) vegetable shortening
2 eggs (at room temp.)
1 tsp (5mL) grated orange peel
1 tsp (5mL) vanilla
2 3/4 Cups (675 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5mL) salt
5 rolls (.9 oz./22 g each) ring shaped hard candies (assorted flavors for colors),
            life saver brands come to mind, or other brands are OK too.
Some sheets of Aluminum foil
Cookie Pans (metal or glass)
This makes four (4) Dozen Cookies

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter,and shortening. Beat at medium speed until fluffy and light. Add eggs, orange peel and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat at low speed until a soft dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or waxed paper (held in place with rubber bands or masking tape). Chill in fridge 1 to 2 hours, or until firm.

Heat up oven to 350 F (180 C). Line your cookie sheets with Aluminum Foil.  Cut dough into three parts (thirds). On a floured cutting board, roll a third of the dough to 1/4 inch (5mm) thick.  Get your favorite cookie cutters and cut out shapes from dough. Space your shapes 2 inches apart (they will get bigger) on your cookie sheets.

Cut out the windows from the cookies. Use a sharp small knife (paring) or the like. Cut out the desired window shapes. If you want to hang the cookies , make a small hole at the top of each cookie for strings or ribbons.

Put one color candies in small plastic bags. Crush them (coarsely)  by tapping them with the back of a large spoon. Place the coarse pieces of candy  into the cutout areas of each cookie. One color per cutout area. You can put three colors in one cookie if you have three holes. Simulating stained glass windows.

Put the cookies into a pre-heated 350 F (180 C) oven, and bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden browned and the candy pieces are melted.. Cool completely before taking the cookies off the pans. Remove carefully, so as not to crack the candy windows. Add string or ribbon. Hang around your home, give as gifts or eat em up! Yummy!