Here's a fairly simple technique to making a cookie look like parchment paper......
which is perfect for a patriotic-themed set of cookies.

Any cookie shape will work fine.

Outline and flood the cookie with an ivory-colored glaze.

Dry overnight.

Using a food color marker, write text on the cookie.

If you need help keeping the text straight and evenly spaced,

place a piece of notebook paper underneath the cookie for a guide while you write.

Allow the "ink" to dry.

To "antique-ify" the cookie, brush on dry pearl dust.

For these cookies, I used bronze and gold colors.

Antiqued Text Cookies (Tutorial)