Kids of all ages, from 3 to 103, will love these fun & tasty Paintbrush cookies! Blend the art and science of baking with your creative side. Try mixing and matching with different cookie cutter shapes and a rainbow of food coloring.

Ingredient List

COOKIES:

• 2 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup shortening
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ⅔ cup honey
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

EGG YOLK PAINT :

• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ teaspoon water
• Food color

Instructions

MAKING THE COOKIES

• To prepare cookie dough, sift flour and measure. In medium bowl, sift together flour, soda and salt; set aside. 
• In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle, mix thoroughly on medium speed for about 2 minutes the shortening, sugar, egg, honey and vanilla.
• Stir in the flour mixture and mix until combined. 
• Cover bowl and chill dough at least 1 hour to make it easy to handle. 
• When ready to shape cookies, prepare egg yolk paint. In small bowl, beat together egg yolk and water. Divide mixture among several small bowls. Stir in a different food color to make bright colors. 
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray baking sheets with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper. Divide dough in half; keep one-half chilled. 
• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out using floured rolling pin. Roll to ¼-inch thickness. 
• Dip cookie cutter in flour to prevent sticking. Cut as many cookies from each rolling as possible. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to prepared baking sheet 2-inches apart.
• Paint designs on cookies with small, clean paintbrushes using a different brush for each color. If egg yolk paint thickens on standing, add a few drops of water. 
• Bake 6 – 8 minutes. Look at cookies when minimum baking time is up; do not over-bake. For clear colors do not let cookies brown. Remove from oven, with a wide spatula, transfer onto rack to cool. Store cookies in air-tight container. 

TIPS

• Use your imagination and create your own designs. Draw pattern on parchment paper. Cut out each one and grease it. Lay pattern greased side down on dough and cut around it with a sharp knife.