Step 1. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
Step 2. Add the butter and sugar into a bowl and cream together
Step 3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time, until well combined
Step 5. Add in the flour, mixing as you go, until the mixture comes together as a dough
Step 6. Lightly flour your worktop and roll out the dough until it is about 1cm thick
Step 7. Using any biscuit cutters you like the shape of, cut out your shapes in the dough and place them onto the lined baking tray
Step 8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden-brown. Leave to harden for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack
Step 9. 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 until you get your desired shade
Step 10. Carefully spread the icing onto the biscuits using a knife and set aside until the icing hardens – add any patterns you like, get creative!
