Painted Sugar Cookies

Friday nights around here are usually date nights for Dan and I, but since we are planning a getaway trip soon (I am so excited!!!) we decided this weekend would be a good time for a "family date" or in our case, an excuse for another Family Home Evening. We always try to have treats on nights like this so we decided to make cookies together.
The recipe I decided on was for Sugar Cookies. I haven't found a recipe that I am in love with yet so I decide to give good ol' Betty Crocker a chance.  I really liked this recipe for "painted" sugar cookies because it was lots of fun to do with the kids and it was something they could do at their level without me getting too anxious about a huge mess. Just wanted to share it with you. It is a recipe you have to make about 3 hrs ahead of time because the dough has to be refrigerated before working with it. (I wish I had read that part of the recipe before I started making it but it was worth it.)

Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup margarine or butter (softened)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract (I just ended up using 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla instead)
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour*
*if using self-rising flour omit the baking soda and cream of tartar.
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cram of tartar
granulated sugar (don't put this into the mix, it is for later)

Mix powdered sugar, margarine, vanilla, almond extract and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough into halves. Roll each half 3/16 inches thick (trust me I didn't measure it) on a lightly floured cloth covered board (I didn't use a cloth. I just used my good old fashioned counter top). Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and *sprinkle with granulated sugar. *If you are going to do the painted sugar cookies wait until the cookies are painted first before sprinkling on the sugar. Bake until edges are light brown. 7-8 minutes.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies: 65 calories per cookie. (I personally am not a calorie counter but thought that some of you might be, so I'd include that too).


Cookie Paint

Mix 1 egg yolk and 1/4 tsp of water together. Divide the mixture into a couple small bowls. Tint with food coloring. Then, paint away with some small paintbrushes. The kids loved that it was an art project AND a yummy treat. Also, if the paint thickens while standing, just add in a couple more drops of water. Then when its all painted place on your lightly greased cookie sheet (or well seasoned Pampered Chef stone) and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake and enjoy!

Great for a rainy day activity too.