Description
These Pastel Candy-Centered Butter Cookies are delightful buttery treats featuring a crunchy candy core that melts into a glossy, colorful center. Perfect for festive occasions or everyday snacking, these cookies combine a soft, rich dough with vibrant crushed pastel candies, delivering both texture and visual appeal.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Candy Center
- 1/2 cup pastel hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers or Lifesavers), crushed
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together using a mixer or spatula until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates a smooth base for the dough.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, which helps bind the dough while adding richness and flavor.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Stir just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape the dough: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Create indentations and add candy: Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the center of each dough ball. Fill each indentation with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of crushed pastel candies to create the candy centers.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the candy centers are melted and glossy, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before moving them. This prevents the candy centers from cracking as they set.
Notes
- Use different candy colors to customize for seasonal themes or holidays to make the cookies festive.
- Ensure candies are fully crushed to help them melt evenly and achieve a smooth center.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to preserve the glossy candy centers and maintain freshness.
