Painted Sugar Cookies

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Painted Sugar Cookies
Categories: Cookies
Yield: 33 servings

1/2 c Butter or margarine;
-softened
1/2 c Shortening
1 c Powdered sugar; sifted
1 Egg
1 ts Vanilla extract
2 1/2 c All-purpose flour
1/2 ts Salt
Egg yolk paint
Egg yolk paint:
1 Egg yolk; beaten
1/4 ts Water
Assorted colors of paste
-liquid
Or food coloring

Recipe by: Southern Living
Preparation Time: 0:30
Cream butter and shortening; gradually add sugar, beating
well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add egg and
vanilla, beating well. Combine flour and salt; stir into
creamed mixture. Chill dough at least 1 hour. Divide dough
in half; store 1 portion in refrigerator. Roll dough to
1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut with
a 2-inch cookie cutter, and place on ungreased cookie
sheets. Using a small paintbrush, paint assorted designs
on cookies with Egg Yolk Paint. Bake at 375 degrees
for 9 to 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.
Cool on a wire rack. Repeat procedure with remaining
dough. Yield: about 5-1/2 dozen.

EGG YOLK PAINT Combine egg yolk and water; stir well.
Divide mixture into several custard cups; tint as desired
with food coloring. Keep paint covered until ready to use.
If paint thickens, add a few drops of water, and stir
well. Brush on cookies as directed before baking. Yield:
1-1/2 tablespoons.

NOTE: Forego the usual sugar sprinkles to decorate the
tops of rolled sugar cookies, and try painting them with
Egg Yolk Paint. This cookie recipe works particularly well
for the technique since it has no leavening added, and the
cookies don't rise as much as some. Rising could alter the
look of the design you paint before baking.

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