The Color of Light Meets Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart
I’ve been busy this week looking for Christmas cookie recipes. No, I’m not baking yet. But I am cooking up something for my newsletter readers, something very special for my December edition. As I did the research for that surprise, I found cookie after cookie recipe I wanted to try.
While I was researching, this recipe leapt out at me, even though it had nothing to do with my newsletter. Instead this one has to do with my latest book. What do we get if we cross Emeril Lagasse, Martha Stewart, and The Color of Light? We get these delicious, eye-catching Stained Glass Cookies.
Now I’m sharing this find with you. I’ve adapted the recipe, which appears online in many places. But if you have read and enjoyed The Color of Light, and you want to try your hand at making your own rose window? These cookies are for you. If you make them let me know how they turn out. We’d especially like to drool over your photos.
Oh, and by the way, The Color of Light is now available on Audible as well as available as an audio CD with the same wonderful narrator, Karen White, as we’ve had for all the books. That’s the cover at the top.
And another “Oh?” Just an aside. If you’re not on my newsletter list, this might be a good time to sign up so you don’t miss out on my surprise.
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Stained Glass Cookies
Adapted from Food Network and Martha Stewart
Yield: 4 dozen approximately
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) of butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (you can substitute lemon extract)
3 cups all-purpose flour
A variety of hard candies in bright colors–Jolly Rancher assorted or original work well.
Equipment needed:
1 2 1/2 to 3 inch circular or ornament shaped cookie cutter
1 small star shaped cookie cutter that fits well inside the circle and leaves a substantial rim.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Using the paddle attachment on your stand mixer, cream the sugar and butter until smooth. Add the egg and the extract, and when creamy, add the flour until mixed. Now scrape the dough on to a sheet of plastic wrap, and press it into a rectangle. Cover and seal with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for an hour or more.
Remove the dough, unwrap and slice into thirds. Roll each piece to 1/4″ or slightly thinner. Using the circle cookie cutter, cut as many circles as possible. Repeat with all of the dough. Next use the star cutter and cut a star shape inside each circle. Reroll star scraps, or bake separately and decorate.
Line cookie sheets with parchment and place cookies on them, leaving room between for expansion.
Separate candies by color. Place each into small plastic bags and after covering with a dish towel or pot holder, break up candy into tiny pieces with a hammer or mallet. Fill each of the the star-shaped holes with different colors of crushed candy. Be creative.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown, and the candy has melted.
Love the Goddesses series soooo much! And will attempt this recipe for a cookie exchange and tea this week.
Have a wonderful Christmas, Emilie, and continue your wonderful writing? Welcome to baby Declan, too!
Thank you, Jayne. We’d love a photo of your cookies, if you have time. I’m still looking for something other than watermelon and lime hard candies to make mine.
I have enjoyed many of your books, but I loved this one. I was particularly impressed with your knowledge of The Society of Jesus.
I recently read Fr. James Martin’s “The Jesuits Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality For Real Life.”
A good portion of the book deals Fr. Martin’s personal faith journey and life as a Jesuit.
The character of Isaiah is written with such knowledge and compassion it reminded me of Fr. Martin’s journey.
Did you read it as part of your research?
As a “cradle Catholic” I have seen many nuns and priest leave religious orders. Rather than rue their departure, I’ve come to appreciate the gift of the time they served and wish them joy in what they do next.
This was a much appreciated comment. I like the way you view nuns and priests leaving religious orders. So many have given long and valuable service and find it necessary to move on to other things in their life. It’s wonderful to know they are loved and admired by people like you. As for Fr. James Martin, yes, I did read several of his books. I grew to appreciate the Jesuits as I researched The Color of Light and found much in common with their thinking and my own faith. I think when we study religions other than our own, we find synchronicity.
I had not read the first 3 books in the Goddess series when I read this one. I have read them now in order. I like the dyslexia and domestic abuse plots.
I also like that Harmony made a point that she had gotten pregnant while using birth control. People assume that all unplanned pregnancies are due to irresponsible behavior.
Another issue to that point, as unromantic as it is to think about, both the man and the woman need to be aware there is always the possibility of pregnancy in any sexual encounter.