Step 1

Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Beat in the vanilla. Add the flour, custard powder and milk. Stir until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a well-floured surface and bring together. Shape into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour to rest.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 160C. Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Cut the dough in half. Roll out 1 dough portion on a floured surface until 4mm thick. Use a 7cm star-shaped cutter to cut stars from the dough, re-rolling when necessary. Place on the prepared trays.

Step 3

Bake, swapping trays halfway through cooking, for 15 minutes or until light golden underneath. Set aside on the trays to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.