Mix well with spoon in a large bowl, 3/4 cup shortening, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 1/2 cups Gold Medal flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover dough and chill for 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix with fork in small bowl, 1 egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon water. Divide mixture among custard cups. Add a few drops of food coloring to each cup to make red, green, blue, yellow and orange paint. Roll chilled dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut with cookie cutters or make your own shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Paint the cookies. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edges. Cool. Makes 4 dozen cookies.
