Magic Window Cookies

Made with Life Savers, gummy worms or Starburst candies

Yield: Makes about 6 dozen 3-inch cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon vanilla or 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup shortening (part butter or margarine, softened)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

About 6 packages of colored Life Savers (or gummy worms, Starburst candies)

Add To

Directions:

Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and flavoring. Blend in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough 1/8-inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut into desired shapes, using cutter of two sizes to obtain cutouts, or design your own pattern. Place cookies on aluminum foil or parchment paper covered baking sheet. For larger cookies, transfer rolled shape to the baking sheet before cutting out designs. Place whole LifeSavers candy in cutouts. Small cutouts may require that the LifeSavers be broken into smaller pieces (place between wax paper and tap lightly). Fill cutouts with candy until it is just level with the dough.

Bake 7-9 minutes or until cookies are very lightly brown and candy is melted. If candy hasn't spread within cutout design, immediately spread with spatula.

Cool completely on baking sheet. Gently remove cookies.

Variation: Leave unbaked cookies whole and sprinkle gummy candy or crushed Life Savers atop the dough and bake as usual.

Please note that some ingredients and brands may not be available in every store.