Shortbread Hearts / 彩色玻璃饼干 / ステンドグラスクッキー

Found this recipe from New Idea's Wedding Special column, the pretty hearts with translucent candy in the middle tempted me to make some myself. I was squatting by the oven staring at those slowly melting away candies like a hawk. Baked shortbread before but this is first time for me to use candy in baking. Very excited when I saw the end product... so beautiful! Valentine's Day is round the corner, why not make some for your special one?

Stained Glass Cookies / 彩色玻璃饼干 / ステンドグラスクッキー

Ingredients (70 pcs):
250gm unsalted butter
½ cup caster sugar
2 ½ cups plain flour
½ cup rice flour
90 clear color fruit candies (some for standby)

Methods:

1. Beat the butter and sugar in a small bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add in the sifted flours and mix well to form soft dough. Divide dough into half. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 180°C.
4. Roll half amount of the dough between two sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Cut out heart shapes using a 7cm cutter.
5. Place the hearts about 3 cm apart on baking tray lined with baking paper. Using a 4 cm cutter, cut another heart from center of each heart.
6. Repeat with the remaining dough.
7. Bake for 5 minutes then place a fruit candy in the center of each heart. Bake for another 5 minutes or until the candy is melted and the shortbreads are lightly browned.
8. Transfer the cookies together with baking paper onto a tray, cool on the tray completely.