Mix well with spoon in large bowl:

3/4 c. shortening (part butter)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend in:

2 1/2 c. Gold Medal Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Cover dough; chill at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix with fork in small bowl; 1 egg yolk, 1/4 teaspoon water. Divide mixture among custard cups. Add a few drops of food color 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 interesting shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Using a different paintbrush for each color of paint, paint designs on cookies. If paint thickens, add a few drops of water. Bake cookies 6 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edges. Cool on wire rack. 4 dozen cookies. Do not use self rising flour in this recipe.