Combine painting and cookie making in one activity. These
lively and colorful cookies will add color and interest to
your Purim menu for mishloach monos and to your Purim
table.
The `paint' is made from food color and egg yolk. When
combined, it is reminiscent of tempera paints which
originally were made with egg yolks. The yolk acts as an
emulsion, mixes with the color and binds it to a surface. If
the `paint' is put on thick, it will look like stained glass
after the cookie comes out of the oven and cools off. Here,
our `canvas' is deliciously edible and comes in three
versions. Arrange all three in a Purim cookie assortment for
an eye catching centerpiece or in a basket to be given out
with other Purim treats. Or, make one type of Painted Purim
Cookie today and save the other ones for another occasion
[you've got one month to go -- bake and freeze]. The children
enjoy making the clowns and from the leftover dough, snake
cookies.
Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe or try ours.
EGGLESS COOKIE DOUGH
7 ounces (200 gr.) margarine
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Combine dry ingredients. Add vanilla and margarine, mix.
Add water in small amounts, gradually mixing well [by mixer
or hand] until dough is smooth and elastic. Refrigerate or
freeze for an hour. If dough is too sticky, add more
flour.
Divide dough into ten balls and proceed according to choice
of cookie.
RECIPE FOR FOOD COLOR AND EGG YOLK PAINT
MATERIALS
Food color (yellow, red and green)
Three egg yolks
Three paper cups
One new or very clean small (#4, #5 or #6) paintbrush [Q
tip?]
DIRECTIONS
In each cup, mix one checked egg yolk with four to five drops
of food color. Paint on one color at a time. Start with
lightest color first. Wash brush between colors.
PAINTED PURIM NOISEMAKER
This cookie is shaped like a gragger noisemaker. It is
made from dough rolled out to a 2 1/2 by 6 inches rectangle.
It has a wooden popsicle or tongue depressor stick for a
handle and is painted to resemble a noisemaker.
Divide dough in ten balls. Roll out on floured surface or
oiled baking tray. Place wooden stick 1/2 inch from one end.
Roll end of dough over to cover.
OPTION WITHOUT WOODEN STICKS
Use two small balls of dough to make the handle of the
noisemaker.
Place one at the top and one at the bottom of dough, 1/2 inch
in from the end. Roll end of dough over to cover.
`Paint' to resemble a gragger. Color handle yellow.
Bake in preheated oven, 350 degrees, 8-10 minutes or until
light brown.
PAINTED PURIM COOKIE CANVAS
Cookie #2 is a 4" by 6" `canvas' ready to be painted with a
clown, a funny face or other Purim picture.
Roll out dough to 4" x 6" pieces. Arrange on a greased baking
tray with ample space between cookies.
On cookie, `draw' outline of picture with toothpick or end of
the paintbrush for a sharp outline. Keep it simple.
You may prefer to draw your picture first on a piece of paper
or paint freehand. Bake and let cool.
PAINTED PURIM CLOWN
Cookie #3 is a 4" x 7" cookie cut out and shaped like a
gingerbread man. Children will love using a garlic press to
make strands of cookie hair to attach to his head. Chocolate
sprinkles are fine, too.
Cut out a piece of paper 4" x 7". Make gingerbread man
pattern on the paper. Draw head, arms and legs very thick and
sturdy. Cut out pattern.
Roll out dough into a 4 x 7 rectangle, 1/2" thick. Place
pattern on cookie dough. Cut out.
Option 1: Clown can be drawn freehand and cut out.
Option 2: Place balls of dough on an oiled baking tray with
or without wax paper or foil. Attach pieces by overlapping
and pressing firmly.
Use raisins, almonds or colored chocolate `lentils' (M & Ms)
for features, buttons etc. or draw with toothpick. Make
crescent shaped shoes and a triangle hat. Paint in colors.
Bake and cool before handling.
LEFTOVER COOKIE DOUGH
Snakes: roll out dough about 10 inches long. Make a snake
head with eyes and a tongue. Paint snake yellow with large
green dots and a red tongue and eyes.
Circles and triangles: Roll out `ropes' and shape into
imitation homontaschen (triangles, or circles brought
up on three sides and pinched to form a triangle), or simple
circles. Paint with different colored strips or as
desired.
PURIM SOMAYACH!
Devora Piha is receiving children who can be helped by Art
Enrichment Activities.
A.E.A. strengthen and increase the fine motor muscles in the
hands and fingers which have a direct link to cognitive
(mental) development. Normally, this is done extensively with
children in pre-school. Children may require A.E.A.
activities at later ages. A.E.A. is conducted in Har Nof for
English speaking children on Monday afternoons.
For further information, phone or fax:02-9931-592 or email
piha@zahav.net.il.
