Directions

1. 1. Note: Use holiday cookie cutters for the primary shape and then cut out sections to be filled with hard candy. When making the "magic windows" try different colors of candy. Place candy pieces to form stripes, polka dots and swirls.
2. 2. Beat sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour or until firm.
3. 3. You may want to crush some, or all, of the candy depending on what designs you have in mind. Place the unwrapped candy in a heavy plastic bag and tap lightly with rolling pin. Because candy melts easily, leave pieces as large as possible.
4. 4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
5. 5. Roll one third of the dough at a time, 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place one inch apart on foil.
6. 6. Make designs in the cookies using smaller cutters or your own patterns. Place whole or partially crushed pieces of candy in these cutouts, depending on size and shape of design, mixing colors as desired.
7. 7. Bake for seven to nine minutes or until cookies are very light brown and candy is melted. If candy has not completely spread within cutout design, immediately spread with knife.
8. 8. Let the cookies cool completely on the foil then gently remove the cookies.