Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk 3 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt until combined. Set aside.
Next, using a stand or hand mixer, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 ¼ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides, then reduce the speed of the mixer to low-medium and add 2 whisked large eggs and 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract and blend until combined. With your mixer on low speed, slowly add the contents of your dry ingredient bowl to the wet ingredient mixing bowl until the ingredients are combined.
Remove your dough from the bowl and press it into a rectangular shape on plastic wrap. Wrap completely and place in the fridge to chill for 1 hour.
While the dough is chilling, separate your Jolly Ranchers into like colors. Remove the wrappers, crush the candies, and keep each color in separate bowls.
Once the dough is chilled, cut the dough in half. Prepare a countertop with a light dusting of flour. Roll the first half of the dough using a rolling pin to about ¼ inch thickness. Using your larger 4-inch cookie cutter, cut out the cookies from the dough. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Using the smaller cookie cutter, carefully cut out the center portion of each cookie. Return the scrapes of dough back to the remaining dough. Repeat until all of your dough is gone.
Fill each center area about ¾ of the way with crushed Jolly Ranchers. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with clear, coarse sanding sugar. Place the cookies back into the fridge to chill for 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Once chilled, remove them from the fridge and place them in the oven. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until the candy center has melted, the cookies are set, and the edges just begin to turn brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet until the Jolly Rancher centers have hardened and the cookies are completely cool.
Serve and ENJOY!
Notes
Use a toothpick or pointed knife to help remove the cookie's center portion and scrape them from the floured surface.
Be sure to allow the cookies to cool completely before removing them from the parchment paper.