Gumbon Cookies

It's a bonbon-type cookie with a candy filling all in one bite. A colorful surprise treat to add to a Christmas cookie plate or anytime when you want to have something special. Use spice or fruit-flavored gumdrops and any color food coloring for icing. I usually divide icing into 3 to 4 small bowls and tint icing for specific gumdrop color and flavors.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 114 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
• ¾ cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon evaporated milk, or as needed (Optional)
• 24 small spice-flavored gumdrop candies
• 2 tablespoons evaporated milk (Optional)
• 1 drop red or desired shade of food coloring - or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Beat unsalted butter, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, and 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Sift flour and salt together in a separate bowl; beat flour mixture into butter mixture to make a workable dough. If dough feels crumbly or dry, beat 1 teaspoon evaporated milk into dough, or more if needed.

Step 3

Pinch off about 1 tablespoon of dough and form into a ball; push an indentation in the ball with your finger, insert a gumdrop, and wrap dough around gumdrop to completely enclose. Place cookie onto prepared baking sheet with the sealed side down. Repeat with remaining dough and gumdrops.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are set but not brown, 12 to 14 minutes.

Step 5

Mix 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons evaporated milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl to make a smooth frosting. Divide frosting into 3 or 4 small bowls and color each a different color, if desired. Spread frosting on cookies while they are still warm; set aside to finish cooling before serving.