Painted Cookies

1 c Butter or margarine

1 c Sugar

2 Eggs

1/4 c Milk

2 ts Vanilla

4 c All-purpose flour

1 ts Baking powder

3/4 ts Baking soda

Egg yolk paint (recipe follows) Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add milk and vanilla, mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and soda, add to creamed mixture, stirring until blended. Shape dough into 2 balls, wrap each in waxed paper and chill 4 hours. Work with half of dough at a time, store remainder in refrigerator. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on floured waxed paper, cut with 2.1/2 to 3-inch cookie cutter, and transfer to lightly-greased cookie sheets. Paint assorted designs on cookies using small art brush and egg yolk paint. Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes, cool on racks.

Egg Yolk Paint: 1 egg yolk, beaten 1/4 teaspoon water Paste or liquid food coloring Combine egg yolk and water, stir well. Divide mixture evenly into 2 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. NOTE: Prepare one recipe egg yolk paint for every 2 colors of paint desired. Makes 1.1/2 Tablespoons About 5 dozen cookies -----