2 c. sifted flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, no substitute
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix and sift 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, and salt. Cream butter until creamy. Beat in sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture, then slowly add enough of remaining 1/2 cup of flour to make dough stiff.

Chill at least 1 hour. Roll out 1/8 inch thick on surface dusted with powdered sugar (rather than flour). Cut with any shape cookie cutter. Bake on ungreased baking sheet in preheated 375 degree oven. After cookies have cooled spread wax paper on counter and prepare paint.

PAINT: Powdered sugar with few tablespoons of water to make paint like consistency. Add a few drops of desired food coloring, blend well, then dip tops of cookies in paint. Allow time to dry.