Sugaring, Stained Glass, and Puzzle Cookie Techniques

By Hester

Ingredients

• Sugar Cookies

Details

Adapted from marthastewart.com

Preparation

Step 1

Sugaring Technique

Before baking, brush cookie shapes with water, and sprinkle generously with sanding sugar. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees until cookies are firm, 12 to 15 minutes.

Stained-Glass Technique

After cutting out cookie shapes, cut out small shapes within cookies where you want "stained glass" to appear. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 4 minutes (if you'll be using whole candies) or 8 minutes (if you'll be using crushed candies). Fill cutouts with candy. Bake until cookies are firm and candies are melted, 5 to 8 minutes more.

Puzzle Technique

After cutting out cookie shapes, cut out shapes within. Working with dough in a contrasting color, cut out puzzle pieces to fit within cutouts. Chill shapes and pieces until firm, about 30 minutes. Fit puzzle pieces into cookies (or place them on top). Refrigerate 30 minutes more. Bake at 350 degrees on parchment-lined baking sheets until cookies are firm, 12 to 15 minutes.