Cookie Pictures-A Frugal, Edible Gift!

Cookie Pictures

Did you ever see a picture of a food that looked so good, you wish you could eat it? Did you ever bake something that turned out so well, that it looked like a piece of art? If you have, you might want to try this fun and easy recipe craft.

All you need to do is make some canvases from simple cookie dough, paint a picture on them using egg yolk paints, and bake. When you are done admiring your art work, you can eat the cookie pictures, or glue a picture hanger on the back and hang them in the kitchen. The egg yolks give the paint a nice shiny look. With a little imagination, I bet you can create some real masterpieces!

Egg Yolk Paint
You will need:

4 egg yolks
4 different food colors

Directions:

Put one egg yolk in a small cup. Beat it with a fork until it is smooth.
Add 5 to 6 drops of food coloring. Beat until the color is evenly distributed.
Repeat the process with the remaining yolks and food colors.

Cookie Canvas
You will need:

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter (softened at room temperature)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for 1 minute.

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

Gradually add the flour to the mixture of butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Mix well after each addition (the dough should be stiff).

Shape the dough into two balls. Flatten into disks. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least two hours, or overnight.

After the dough has chilled, put ½ on a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover with another piece of plastic wrap, and roll to thickness of ¼ inch.

Using a butter knife, cut out rectangular shapes, measuring 3 1/2 x 5 inches.

Paint a picture on the dough.

Chill the completed works of art until they are firm.

Bake at 350 degrees 8-12 minutes, or until the edges start to brown.

Let the pictures remain on the cookie sheet for two minutes after baking.

Move to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Makes 8-12 cookie paintings.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com