Ginger Cardamom Windowpane Cookies

By Wollygator

Hard candy melts to create a pretty stained-glass effect in the center of these holiday-spiced cookies for a treat that looks - and tastes - like Christmas

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 6 tbsp. butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp. water
• 1/2 cup hard candies
• Turbinado sugar, if desired

Details

Servings 24
Adapted from parade.com

Preparation

Step 1

Whisk together flour, ginger, cardamom and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in syrup and water until thoroughly combined. Beat in flour mixture. Form dough into a 1/2-inch-thick disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 30 minutes.

Roll dough 1/4 inch thick between two sheets of parchment paper or waxed paper. Using a 3-inch round or star-shaped cutter[ cut out cookies. Place 1 inch apart on 2 parchment-lined cookie sheets. Using a 3/4-inch round or star-shaped cookie cutter, cut a hole (or star) in center of each cookie. Gather scraps, reroll and repeat, cutting as many cookies as possible. Chill cutouts 30 minutes or until firm.

Position two oven racks, evenly spaced, in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Fill centers of cookies with hard candy in assorted colors. Sprinkle cookies with turbinado sugar, if desired. Bake 12-14 minutes or until light golden and candy has melted. Cook on baking sheets 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to cooling racks; cool completely. Makes 24.