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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