Stained Glass Windows

Stained glass makes me think of artisans crafting a story with pictures. A friend went to England where he toured historic churches, coming home with hundreds of images he had taken of the stained glass windows. The purpose, according to his guide, was to bring Bible stories to life for the illiterate masses while also allowing light into a building constructed of massive stone walls.

An ingenious cook has translated that concept of color and light into an edible delicacy. I thought it would be a fun project to make with my granddaughter. These attractive, easy-to-make cookies are nice for holiday buffets.

Some families have eccentric relatives who are well-known for eating all the chips and marshmallows before they can be used in a recipe. Therefore, my granddaughter and I devised a "marshmallow" trap out of two paper plates, some staples, and a plastic fork.

In the meantime, here are the ingredients and steps to make the recipe:

  

12-ounce package of real semi-sweet chocolate chips    

 10-ounce package of colored mini-marshmallows

For added contrast substitute part of the colored marshmallows with white ones. (optional)

1/2 cup shredded coconut 

1 stick butter

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts  (optional)

             

Place 1 stick of butter in a microwavable bowl. Empty the chocolate chips into the bowl.

Microwave until the butter is melted.  Watch closely and heat a few seconds at a time.  DO NOT heat until the chocolate chips are melted.

Remove from the microwave and stir until the mixture is smooth. If desired, add the chopped walnuts now. Omitting the nuts results in a smooth mixture. Using them adds another layer of texture to the finished cookie. Cool at room temperature until the chocolate/butter mixture will not melt the marshmallows. If the mixture cools too long, it will stiffen like fudge. Pour the bag of marshmallows into the chocolate and stir with a silicone spatula until the marshmallows are thoroughly coated. 

The marshmallow bandit has not been sighted, so my granddaughter adds more bait to the trap.

Pour out onto two 18" pieces of waxed paper.  Coat hands with a bit of butter and shaped into a 12" log. Sprinkle half the coconut on each roll. Turn the mixture over and sprinkle the remaining coconut underneath the log.

Roll up tightly in the waxed paper.

Then wrap securely in aluminum foil.  Place in refrigerator or freezer for at least two hours before slicing.

We had nearly given up on bagging the bandit when he appeared without warning.

 Uh-oh! He tripped the snare.

                     Gotcha!!

After the cookie log has thoroughly chilled, unwrap and cut half an inch off both ends and eat. There will not be a stained glass appearance to that portion. Use a thin sharp knife to slice off 1/2" pieces and see the stained glass effect.

This makes 2 or 3 dozen cookies depending upon how thick you cut them.


We cut one of the logs and took the plate across the street to share with the neighbor kids. A few cookies did not make it onto the plate since we had to sample them for quality and let little brother taste them. If a two-year-old could vote, he would have advocated sitting down and eating them until they were gone. The remaining log stayed in the freezer waiting for another cookie eating occasion. Unless Daddy finds it first.

My granddaughter enjoyed this project. It taught following directions, kitchen safety, fine motor skills, patience, imagination, and generosity. Grandpa was a good sport and played the bandit to the hilt.