Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs and vanilla essence.Sift cake flour and work into a creamed mixture until a smooth dough forms.Roll out on to a lightly floured surface approximately 5mm thick. Cut dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters, and place shapes on baking trays.Leave plain, or decorate by placing a dollop of jam or a halved cherry in the centre of each biscuit, or sprinkle with hundreds and thousands.Bake at 180&#176C for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are light golden.Allow cookies to cool. Dust with a little icing sugar, or dip into melted chocolate.