Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 ‘ cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 package of hard candy, finely crushed.
Church cookie cutter (can be purchased online)
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Directions
Cream the sugar, shortening, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl for one minute. Gradually stir in the flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate dough for an hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover cookie sheets with aluminum foil or parchment and set aside. Roll dough to 1/8’ (thinner than a typical recipe) on a lightly floured and cool surface. Working quickly, so dough doesn’t reach room temperature, cut out as many cookies as possible. With cookie shapes still in position, cut out small circles or rectangles for the ‘stained glass’ in the center of each cookie. Carefully place cookies on aluminum foil-covered (or parchment) cookie sheet. Fill the small circles and/or rectangles with crushed candy until it touches the edges.
Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until edges of cookies are slightly brown and candy is melted. If candy has not spread within the cutout design, immediately spread with a metal knife or spatula. Cool completely on cookie sheet and gently remove with a spatula.
More Ideas:
Design your own church or cathedral! Easy instructions for making your own cookie cutters can be found online. Using a search engine, type in ‘making your own cookie cutters.’
Make them in just minutes using store-bought sugar cookie dough (don’t forget to roll out dough to 1/8’’).