Cookie Dough-
2 c  Margarine -- softened
1 c  Granulated sugar
1 tb Water
1 tb Almond extract
5 c  Unbleached flour
1 sm Envelope -- (3 1/2 x 6
1/2    ")
Edible Decorator
Paint-
1    Egg yolk
1/2 ts Water
Assorted colors of paste
Food coloring
sm -- soft paintbrush
Powdered sugar icing

Preheat oven at 350. In a mixing bowl, combine margarine and sugar. Add 1
tablespoon water and almond extract; mix well. Stir in flour until well
combined. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours. On a floured surface, roll
dough to a 1/4″ thickness. Using envelope as a pattern, cut shapes in
dough with a sharp knife. Reroll dough scraps. Cut out 1″ squares of
dough to resemble stamps. Transfer letters and stamps to unprepared baking
sheet with a spatula. Using a paintbrush, paint, addresses, postmarks, and
stamps with Edible Decorator Paint. Allow each color of paint to dry
thoroughly before painting with additional colors. Bake cookies for 25 to
30 minutes, removing stamps if they start to brown. Cool slightly and
remove from baking sheet. Cook completely. Prepare powdered sugar icing
and attach stamps to letters. To make Edible Decorator Paint, mix egg yolk
with 1/2 teaspoon water. Divide mixture into several small cups. Add paste
food coloring as desired. If needed, add additional water, 1 drop at a
time, to make paint the consistency of ink. Use thin coats of the paint.
Allow each color to dry before proceeding with next color. In recipes using
opaque or pastel paint, add white, paste or liquid, food coloring. This
improves opaqueness and removes much of the yellow color of the egg yolk.
Food painted with paint should be returned to the oven for a few minutes to
set the paint and cook the egg yolk.

Great Little Sweet Treats