iced biscuits | Good Food

for the biscuits

100g/3 half oz caster sugar
1 egg
275g/10oz plain flour
2 drops vanilla essence

the icing

100g/3 half oz caster sugar
1 egg
275g/10oz plain flour
2 drops vanilla essence
400g/14oz icing sugar
3 - 4 different food colourings
small sweets
glace cherries
sprinkles or anything else to decorate

Method

step 1
Beat the butter with a wooden spoon until soft.
step 2
Add the sugar to the butter and beat again until it is light and fluffy.
step 3
Whisk the egg in separate bowl with a fork and then add gradually to the butter and sugar , beating all the time.
step 4
Add the flour and vanilla essence. Mould the mixture into a bowl with your hands.
step 5
Lightly flour the work surface and roll out the dough until it's about the thickness of a one pound coin. Use cutters to make shapes. Lift on the baking sheet.
step 6
Bake the biscuits for 8 - 10 minutes at 190c/375f/gas mark 5. Leave to harden for a couple of minutes , then put on a wire rack to cool.
step 7
For the icing , sift the icing sugar into a large bowl and gradually add enough hot water to make a soft , firm mixture -about 2 - 3 tablespoons.
step 8
Divide the icing into 3 or 4 bowls and add 1/2 tablespoon of colouring to each the one. Be careful not to mix the colours! Spread the icing onto the biscuits with a table knife and decorate with sweets or sprinkles