Paintbrush Cookies

You can use this colorful egg glaze with any sugar cookie recipe. Paintbrush cookies are an old Betty Crocker idea from the 50s. I grew up with them, and still love making them with my kids. It's fun to have festive, colorful, shaped cookies without using the too-sweet-for-my-taste icings and colored sugars. I don't have a photo to upload right now, but you can find some great ideas by searching for 'paintbrush cookies' using google images.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Yields: 1 batch

Ingredients

• 1  egg yolk
• 1⁄4 teaspoon water
•  food coloring
• 1  batch sugar  cookie dough

Directions

1. Mix egg yolk and water. (Double or triple amount if desired.).
2. Using a muffin pan or other small cups, divide the 'paint' among several cups, and add food coloring, as desired, to each.
3. Use creativity to blend seasonal colors. For example, blend a variety of shades of autumn leaves: 3 drops yellow, 3 drops yellow + 1 drop red, 2 drops red, 1 drop red + 1 drop green, 2 drops green, 1 drop green + 3 drops yellow, 2 drops yellow + 1 drop red + 1 drop green.
4. Roll cookie dough, and cut with cookie cutters.
5. Place cookies on greased cookie sheet.
6. Using water color paintbrushes and egg yolk paint, decorate the cookies.
7. Bake according to recipe instructions and cool on rack. If overbaked, the paint will brown and be less attractive.