Painted Cookies

Do you ever paint cookies?  If not, try it this year when you bake your Christmas cookies--it's easy, pretty, and fun!

You'll need:

paintbrushes (buy a pack at the dollar store and keep JUST for food use)
2 eggs
water
cookie cutters
sugar cookie dough

Prepare your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe, or use this one .

Roll out your dough and cut with your cutters.  Christmas trees, gingerbread men,  angels, and wreaths, and snowmen  are especially pretty when painted.

Place the unbaked cookies on  parchment paper lined baking sheets (or gently spray with baking spray--but parchment always produces the best results no matter WHAT you are baking).

Prepare the paint by cracking and separating the eggs.  Set aside the whites for another use. Add a couple of teaspoons of cold water to the 2 egg yolks and mix.  Pour a little of the egg/water mixture into several custard cups, ramekins, mugs, or disposable bowls.  Add a drop or two of food color to each and mix.

Now use your paint and go create some edible masterpieces! Use the brushes to paint  the cookies, then bake according to your recipe's instructions. Do not let the cookies get overly brown.

When the cookies are done, the paint will be hard and glossy.  They store well, ship well, and freeze well.  Also--kids think they are frosted because they are colorful, but these painted cookies have far less sugar than their frosted counterparts.

Have fun!