You can make these for any holiday — just change cookie cutters and “paint” colors. You can either buy sugar cookie dough or make your own using a favorite recipe (or the one below). But you must paint the cookies before baking. Enjoy spending time creating something fun (and delicious) with family and friends. Happy Holidays!
Sugar Cookies
¾ cup shortening or butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Mix shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Sift flour and add baking powder and salt. Blend with sugar mixture. Chill at least one hour.
Roll dough about 1/8-inch thick, cut with cookie cutters, and place on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper (parchment paper is optional). Tip: Cut about a dozen cookies at a time so the dough does not dry out.
Paint cut-out cookies with egg yolk paint (see instructions below).
Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes depending on whether you like soft or crunchy cookies.
Egg Yolk Paint
1 egg yolk
¼ tsp water
Food coloring
Blend egg yolk with water. Divide among several small custard cups (or any small dish) and add a different food coloring to each cup. Paint designs on cut-out cookies using small paintbrushes. Bake immediately.
R 18-338