Paintbrush Cookies

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Our annual tradition of making Paintbrush Cookies for Christmas is something I have done with our kids ever since they were old enough to hold a paintbrush in their hands.  It was a tradition that my mother did with all of us every year too, and it has become the hallmark of our Christmas preparations.




This year, however, with both kids in college, and working long hours, I didn't know if it was something we were going to do.  Perhaps they had lost interest in such a thing, or perhaps we would just not all be able to gather together at the same time.

Last week at the dinner table, the discussion turned to Paintbrush cookies, and my son said, "Mom, when are we going to make the Paintbrush cookies?"  I was surprised to hear him ask me, because I really didn't think it was going to be possible this year with his busy work and school schedule.

Well, I was wrong!



Both kids unanimously wanted to make the cookies.  In fact, it was so important to my son to have this annual tradition that he invited his precious girlfriend to the party too!  I was thrilled.  I got busy making the dough for the cookies, and the party was on a couple days later.



As we gathered round the table, it was fun to pull out all of the cookie cutters from years gone by, the food coloring, the paintbrushes and get the cookie dough rolled out.



My son and his girlfriend were in charge of making the colors for the cookies.  That is always so fun, to see the beautiful colors created each year, some not so pretty (we've had black a few years, lol) but this year we ended up with a pretty purple, lol.



After I began to roll out the dough, my son wanted to take over that job.  He worried about all the dough rolling and how it would affect my hands (I suffer from carpal tunnel).  So I gladly surrendered the rolling pin to him, and he rolled out the rest of the cookies for us girls to paint.




I will provide the recipe for the cookies below.  It is a basic sugar cookie recipe, but the fun part comes in with the paintbrush coloring of the cookies!


Mixing the food coloring with the egg yolk is always so exciting, to see how the colors will turn out.



The nicest creations are always the first batch or two that we put in the oven.  After that, everyone gets tired, and we are just working to finish the creations, rather than make them masterpieces, lol!


The tradition of creating these sugar cookies goes beyond just the cookie ~ it is the fellowship that we all have together as we work to make them.  We share stories from years gone by, like remembering when my kids were little and someone ate their precious masterpiece, and they were heartbroken because they didn't get to eat it.  {smiles}


I brought out the sprinkles towards the end.  This helps to finish up the cookies a bit more quickly, and adds a fun touch to the cookies.



And of course, we sang Christmas carols and hymns together.  It was fun for all of us to harmonize together while painting our little masterpieces, and to sing with all our hearts songs that glorify and worship the Lord on the day of His birth.

Here is the recipe for these traditional Christmas cookies.  If you have young children, or older ones too, this is a great way to make some very special memories that will be treasured for years to come!


PAINTBRUSH COOKIES

3/4 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2-1/2 cups white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp water
Food coloring

Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Blend in the flour, baking soda and salt.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.  

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  In small bowl, mix egg yolk well, and add water.  Using small custard bowls, divide mixture between them evenly.  Add a few drops of desired food coloring to each cup.  Place a clean paintbrush in each cup.  

Roll chilled dough out to 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.  Cut with cookie cutters into desired shapes.  Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Paint designs on cookies.  Bake cookies for 6-8 minutes, or until light brown on edges.  Remove pan from oven and cool for one minute before removing to wire rack.  Makes 4 dozen.  (I usually double the recipe).  




















55 comments

  1. I love the traditions that each family have for the Holidays! It imprints in our memories such precious moments. I love to hear about those traditions and what each family does. It's wonderful to make cookies together like your family does! Keep those traditions! Happy advent time!! Thank you for your visit!

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    1. I love hearing about other people's traditions too, especially when it involves wonderful family moments. Thank you for your kind words and visit today :) Hugs sent your way!

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  2. AWESOME!!! Can I borrow your son??? {{{giggling}}}---my son goes, "So, you going to make Grandma Lucy's Povitica Bread?" I told him only if he would do the rolling...to my surprise, he agreed...smiles---its hard work, but well worth the wait. My family is Croatian and its a Christmas tradition.

    Have a beautiful upcoming holiday week, and Merry Christmas.

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    1. I have never heard of Povitica bread! Sounds like a wonderful family tradition and so glad your son was willing to help too! Wonderful memories that you and your son will make as you make the bread together, and memories are so special. Hugs to you today friend!

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  3. Oh, this sounds like so much fun!!! I never heard of this recipe before...thank you for sharing. Wish I'd known about it when my kids were little. I don't have any young grandkids either, so maybe I'll just do it for fun. Our family makes Sand Tarts, which also have to be rolled and cut and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar on top of egg yolk and a sliced almond. This was my grandmother's recipe, and it can be found on my blog page on a page for family recipes. I may repost it so it shows up. I love your masterpieces. Such happy memories for your family.

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    1. Those sand tarts sound wonderful, I love almond flavored cookies. I will look for your recipe too! Always love those recipes passed down in the family! Hugs to you today friend :)

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  4. Such s lovely family tradition! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

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  5. What a wonderful family tradition! I love how we create special memories with each story shared. I have never heard of these kind of cookies, I might have to give these a try sometime soon.
    I make sugar cookies with frosting, but never with a paintbrush...how unique!

    I hope you enjoy your week and if I don't get back on, Have a Merry Christmas Marilyn!

    Sending a lots of hugs and joy!
    Amy

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    1. You ought to try them with your kids. It is a perfect recipe for kids that enjoy creating. And it is so fun to have them on the plate and the kids talking about which ones they made, lol! You are the cookie queen, so I think you would have a blast with these :) Hugs to you today friend and a Merry Christmas to you!!!

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  6. How absolutely wonderful! I'm so glad your son asked to do this with you... and to include his girlfriend was very good.
    Have a wonderful Christmas week!
    Laura

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    1. Yes, it was such a wonderful time, great memories for sure! Hugs to you today dear friend!

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  7. I love, love, love that your son asked to do this. I adore traditions! We baked cookies at my parents on Saturday with my sister and nieces. The cookies are good but time together making memories is better!

    I have never heard of making cookies this way. I will file that away for later use.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Oh, that would be so much fun! I am looking forward to doing some baking with my family over the holidays too, the memories of fun in the kitchen are the best! I think you and Megan would have a lot of fun making these cookies, they really are a great family event.

      Hugs to you today my friend, and an early Merry Christmas :)

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  8. I love that the kids wanted to do this...mine are the same way. I really thought that college was going to take the kid our of Christmas. Boy was I wrong. They want it all and I am happy to oblige!! Keep making those (yummy) memories and enjoy the week! Merry Christmas my friend.

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    1. It is amazing isn't it! I didn't realize how much this cookie tradition meant to them until I was going to let it pass by for this year. So glad we didn't, as we made more special memories. I'm glad your kids are still wanting to carry on your traditions too, that is such a good feeling isn't it! Merry Christmas to you!

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  9. How precious! I loved hearing that your children wanted to make their cookies again. We're never to old to enjoy traditions. You have created and made some lasting memories, Marilyn.
    Stephanie and her little one were here on Friday and we made my grandmother's cake sugar cookies followed by tea as we enjoyed the taste of our work. Sugar cookies are a lot of work and MESSY but worth it all. It is usually Christmas time that we make these special cookies.

    Beautiful post~~

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    1. Yes, sugar cookies are sure a lot of work and messy, yes for sure! Sounds like a wonderful special time you had on Friday! It is always the best to sample the taste of your hard work too, and a tea party makes it even better! Yes, it seems Christmas is the time of year when we take the time to make those cookies that are a bit more time intensive. So wonderful though to enjoy at this time of year. Thank you for your visit, many hugs to you today, and Merry Christmas to you :)

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  10. First of all, I LOVE your new banner. Perfection. I've never heard of paintbrush cookies. What a neat tradition, and I think it's so sweet that your kids wanted to continue it. So fun. Merry Christmas, and enjoy that lovely family of yours. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you for your very kind words Nancy, they mean a lot! It is a wonderful tradition to make the cookies with the kids, and I too am glad they wanted to continue :) Merry Christmas to you :)

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  11. So nice that you all could do this together and your son's girlfriend could be there, too! Family traditions are just so special and endearing to the heart. I loved seeing the beautiful colors and decorations. Thank you for sharing. Sending love and hugs to you, sweet friend. ;)

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    1. It was such a delightful time we had, precious memories indeed! Hugs to you today dear friend!!!

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  12. Sweet friend, this is just precious! What a fun tradition and oh, what a delight to PAINT cookies. My son and I would love to do this.

    Thank you for sharing your sweet tradition with us. Wishing you a most beautiful Christmas. Love to you!

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    1. Oh I know you and your son would love this. He is right about the perfect age to really enjoy making "masterpieces", lol! Appreciate your visit, and wishing you a very blessed and wonderful Christmas too! Hugs to you today :)

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  13. What a fun day you must have had! Great memories were made that day!!! smile...
    Blessings
    Gert

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    1. It way os a wonderful day, the best kind, good food, wonderful fellowship, and the sweet presence of the Lord too :) Hugs to you Gert, stay warm!

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  14. Wow!!!
    how lovely to follow such precious traditions that your mom transformed to you and you are doing same with your kids!
    i can imagine your excitement when your son asked you to make cookies .
    Being a mother i can say it is always a deep sense of joy and gratitude when your kids care about you .
    i must say that you are so Blessed as you have a very loving and caring family dear!
    thnk you for sharing your pleasures .
    May you and your family have a wonderful warm Christmas ahead .

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    1. Yes, you are so right Baili, it means so much when your kids begin to look out for you, even as you have always done for them! Such an amazing thing. I pray the Lord blesses you and your family in this Christmas season my friend! Hugs and Merry Christmas to you!

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  15. Oh what fun!! I love the fact your son is all grown up and still wants to carry on the traditions he knew as a child. I love traditions. May you have the most blessed Christmas, lovely Marilyn celebrating with your gorgeous family. Kim Xx

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    1. Traditions are wonderful as they are carried on within families, they do mean so much! Appreciate your Christmas wishes, and I pray the same for you my friend! Safe travels!

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  16. Looks like they were made with lots of love! Happy Holidays!

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    1. Indeed, they were made with love, lots of it! Thank you for your visit :) Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  17. Oh, how much I love your cookies, Marilyn, dear, you always fill my heart with sweetness and gladness, blessed be !

    Hope your week is off to a great start I'm sending blessings on your coming days, and if we won't meet again before than Christmas arrives, I'm sending blessings on your Holiday Season, may it be Peaceful, Joy-and-Hope-filled as never before !

    Xx Dany

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    1. Thank you for your sweet visit Dany, praying the Lord blesses you and your family this Christmas with His abundant love, joy and peace! HUGS :)

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  18. I love this post! What fun it must be....not only making cookies, but making precious memories!!

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    1. We had a wonderful time, great memories, and lots of love shared. Memories of the best kind :) Hugs to you today Mary, and praying you have a blessed and special Merry Christmas with an abundant presence of the Lord :)

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  19. Merry Christmas,
    What a lovely post. It simply made me smile!! My boys both asked me to read aloud our favorite Christmas children stories. I was not sure if they would still want me to read them aloud. Oh yes, they both came to me and asked "Mom, when will be reading the books to us?"
    Oh my, that made me feel so good. I am so thankful for the traditions we started, and are special to our family to continue on.

    Have a wonderful Christmas week!
    Love, Carla

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    1. Oh, that is just a precious memory! How wonderful to continue to share those moments still! I love these kinds of family traditions, they are the best kind :) Hugs to you dear friend, and I pray your Christmas is abundantly full of the love, joy and peace of the Lord !

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  20. Love love it, what a nice time spent together. Merry Christmas

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    1. Thank you Teresa! Praying you have a blessed and very special Christmas, with an abundance of the love, joy and peace of the Lord!

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  21. What a fun thing to do! Your cookies are pretty! I bet they taste good, too! Merry Christmas!

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    1. It is always great fun, everyone around the table working, talking and singing together. The best kind of family memories!

      Praying you have a blessed and very special Christmas, with an abundance of the love, joy and peace of the Lord!

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  22. Merry Christmas!!
    I have never seen this done before, really unique and how sweet that even when they are grown they want to do the same traditions from their childhood!
    Blessings to you and yours and enjoy every moment of this season!
    Much love to you dear friend!
    Hugs, Roxy

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    1. Thank you Roxy! It was such a fun time for us all, family memories like this are the best.

      Praying you have a blessed and very special Christmas, with an abundance of the love, joy and peace of the Lord!

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  23. I lost my original paintbrush cookie recipe and was doing a search for paintbrush cookies when I found yours. My "kids" ages 24 and 29 were just asking last week when we were going to make our cookies? They were so upset when I told them I couldn't find my 30+ year old recipe. I will have to blow some cobwebs out of the old noggin to try and remember it. It is somewhat similar to yours. Have a Merry Christmas! Wish me luck! lol

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    1. It is an old Betty Crocker recipe, and you might find it in one of the older 70s cookbooks, I believe :) How special that you made it with your children! I hope you do manage to find the recipe, if not, any sugar cookie recipe can be substituted and seem to work just fine. Appreciate your visit, so much! Have a blessed Christmas :)

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  24. Dear Marilyn: On Saturday I did this with Maycee and Abigail. They loved it. Abby started with painting her face. LOL And yesterday I did it with Dr. B's three children and they really enjoyed it too. Going to do it with Twins and Marissa and Brianna probably right after x-mas because they are away. They all are thrilled to do it. Glad ya'll enjoy this special family tradition.

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    1. Oh Mom, I can just imagine how cute little Abby looked with egg paint on her face, lol! She is such a hoot. You are an awesome lady, so thankful you're my mother :) All the kids enjoy making the cookies is a great way to continue on this family tradition, as it is so much fun to do. Glad you are doing it with all the grands. Hugs to you Mom!

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  25. Marilyn, what a wonderful tradition! Isn't it funny how there are certain things that our kids (and we) associate with Christmas? I seriously debated on not making cranberry orange bread this year but I remember one year when I did not make it and my oldest son wanted to know where his loaf was. LOL! I went home and made him one that same day. ;) So this year I will make it and make sure that ALL my kids here and other family members get a loaf. I hope you have a blessed Christmas!

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    1. It is funny how things begin to mean so much to the family, and we may not even realize it has become a family tradition, just like your wonderful bread! It is a joy to give back to our kids, and I know it was a blessing for you to make that bread for your kids.

      I am praying you have a blessed and very special Christmas, with an abundance of the love, joy and peace of the Lord!

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  26. Oh my goodness...how fun! LOVE these. Merry Christmas!

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  27. What a sweet tradition to do! I love that your son wanted to be part of it still. I am sure your children will pass the tradition on to their children.

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  28. Such a lovely tradition, and so sweet of your son to invite his girlfriend and to roll out the dough for you. Being together is the best part!

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  29. Sounds like a wonderful tradition. Must be for your children to want to continue it. That just tells you how important these special times are for them, no matter how old they get!
    Blessings to you and wishing you a very special Christmas with your family, Deborah

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  30. What a fun tradition! I think it is so neat that it was important to your son and that he thoughtfully offered to do the rolling for you. Singing while you work is so fun. Painted cookies look like something my girls would really enjoy doing. I think we will have to try it sometime.

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