Step 1

Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Step 2

Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time, until well combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time, until well combined, then stir in the flour and bring together to form a dough.

Step 3

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 1cm/½in. Using biscuit cutters, cut biscuits out of the dough and carefully place onto the baking tray.

Step 4

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Set aside to harden for 2 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Carefully spread the icing onto the biscuits using a knife and set aside until the icing hardens.