Introduction
Snow Globe Cookies are the ultimate edible centerpiece for your Christmas celebrations. These magical treats take the classic sugar cookie and elevate it with a stunning, clear “window” made from melted hard candy, encapsulating a tiny, festive scene inside. While they require a little patience and precision, the show-stopping results are well worth the effort. They are perfect for holiday gifting, decorating a dessert table, or simply bringing a touch of winter wonder to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- For the Sugar Cookies:
- 375g (3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 225g (1 cup or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Snow Globe Dome:
- 20-30 clear, unwrapped hard candies (such as clear peppermints or Jolly Ranchers), crushed
- For Decoration:
- Royal icing (prepared or store-bought)
- Edible glitter or sanding sugar
- Small Christmas sprinkles or fondant cutouts (trees, stars)
Step-by-step Preparation
- Prepare and Chill the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients until just combined. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).
- Cut and Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Roll the chilled dough to about 6mm (1/4 inch) thickness. Use a large, round cookie cutter (about 7-8cm/3 inches) to cut the bases. Then, use a smaller cutter (about 4cm/1.5 inches) or the wide end of a piping tip to cut a circle in the center of each cookie—this is your “globe” opening. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the Bases: Bake the cookie bases for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden. Remove from the oven but keep them on the baking sheet.
- Create the Candy Window: Carefully fill the center hole of each warm cookie with crushed hard candy. Do not overfill; the candy should be level with the cookie dough. Return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 4–6 minutes. Watch closely—the candy should melt completely and become smooth and clear.
- Cool and Decorate: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Tip: Do not touch the melted candy until it is completely hardened (about 30 minutes), or it will cloud. Once cool, use royal icing to pipe a small scene (like a tiny tree or snowman) onto the sugar cookie base, directly under the candy dome. Finish by piping a decorative “snow globe base” around the perimeter of the cookie. Sprinkle with edible glitter while the icing is wet.
Nutritional Information
Due to the high content of butter, sugar, and hard candy, these cookies are a decadent holiday treat. Each average-sized Snow Globe Cookie (excluding icing) is estimated to contain approximately 250–300 calories, 15g of fat, and 30g of carbohydrates, primarily from sugars. As a holiday indulgence, they offer little in the way of health benefits but provide maximum joy!
Storage
Store Snow Globe Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. The shelf life is typically 5–7 days. It is crucial to keep them away from excessive moisture or humidity, as this can cause the candy dome to become sticky or cloudy. Do not refrigerate, as the condensation will ruin the clarity of the candy. These cookies do not freeze well due to the brittle nature of the candy dome.
Conclusion
These cookies are truly a labor of love and make the perfect centerpiece for a holiday party. Serve them alongside a mug of homemade hot cocoa or package them individually for a sophisticated Christmas gift. For a fun variation, try using colored hard candies (like blue or green) to create a tinted snow globe effect, or use different shaped cutters (like stars or stockings) to vary the snow globe base. Enjoy the magic!