Holiday Painted Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• For cookies: in a large bowl combine butter with sugar, then egg whites, then vanilla extract; beat using an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
• In another bowl combine the flour with baking powder, mace and salt; gradually stir into the butter mixture until well blended.
• Divide dough in half, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
• Set oven to 400°F Line cookie sheets with parchment paper (do not grease cookie sheets use parchment paper or silpat liner only).
• On a very lightly floured surface roll out the dough into about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. (For children, place each cookie on parchment for painting.).
• For the paint: blend egg yolks and water (one yolk to one teaspoon of water if you need more colors) to a smooth consistency. Divide into as many separate bowls as you wish for different colors. Add in food coloring until desired intensity is achieved.
• Paint the cookies using one brush for each color (I use children's watercolor type brushes).
• Carefully move painted cookies and place them 2-inches apart on lined cookie sheet. (Unless you painted them on parchment, then just transfer the parchment to the pan.) Bake 5-8 minutes, until just browned on the edges.
• Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
• Note: to make cookies into ornaments, use a drinking straw to punch a hole near the top center of the cookie before baking, leaving enough room to insure the integrity of the cookie. Thread a ribbon through finished cookie to make a loop for hanging.

Steps:

• Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually stir in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll dough on generously floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with holiday cookie cutters. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Spoon 1 container of the frosting into medium microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 20 to 30 seconds, stirring every 10 seconds. (Frosting should be a pourable consistency.) Dip tops of cookies into frosting. Microwave remaining container of frosting as needed. Place frosted cookies on wire rack set over foil-covered baking sheet. (The baking sheet will catch drips.) Let stand 10 minutes or until frosting is dried.
• Prepare desired colors of Holiday Flavor Paints (see tip). Using small clean paint brushes, paint designs on cookies.