Preheat your oven to 200c / 180c fan / gas mark 6.

Measure out the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, and mix together well until the sugar has been fully combined.

Break the egg into a separate bowl and beat. Add the egg to the butter and sugar mixture, and stir carefully.

Measure out the flour and add to the mixing bowl. It is at this stage that you can add your extra flavourings or ingredients, such as grated citrus peel, dried fruit or chocolate chips. If you are not going to be adding anything, use a tiny drop of vanilla extract to give the biscuits some flavour.

Stir the contents of the mixing bowl well, so that everything is incorporated together. You may need to use your hands at the end, to bring it all into a soft dough.

If your dough is really soft, leave it in the fridge for half an hour to harden slightly. Alternatively, when you roll your dough out, use two pieces of cling film so that it doesn’t stick too much.

When your dough is ready, roll it out to the thickness of two pound coins (roughly half a centimetre), cut out shapes and place onto a baking tray which has been floured or lined with greaseproof paper.

Bake for 15 minutes, until you see a golden brown edge to the biscuits.

Once the biscuits are cool, decorate with icing.