These biscuits make perfect presents, and they can also be made into Christmas tree decorations.

Ingredients

100g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

100g caster sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla essence

275g plain flour

To decorate

400g icing sugar

3-4 tbsp water

2-3 drops food colourings

Edible glitter

Method

Preheat oven to 190C (375F). Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time, until well combined. Stir in the flour until the mixture comes together as a dough.

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 1cm (half an inch). Using biscuit cutters or a glass, cut biscuits out of the dough and carefully place onto the baking tray. To make into Christmas tree decorations, carefully make a hole in the top of the biscuit using a straw.

Bake the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Set aside to harden for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

For the icing, sift the icing sugar into a large mixing bowl and stir in enough water to create a smooth mixture. Stir in the food colouring. Carefully spread the icing onto the biscuits using a knife and sprinkle over the glitter. Set aside until the icing hardens.