Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth.

Scrape down the sides and then add the egg and flour.

Process until the dough comest together in a ball and is nice and smooth.

Shape the dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 30 minutes (you can freeze the dough at this stage too).

Pre-heat the oven to 180C fan-forced and line two baking trays with baking paper.

Unwrap the dough and flour a work surface lightly (or work on baking paper).

Roll the dough out to about 5mm thickness.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the trays leaving 2cm between each one.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Leave to rest on the trays for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ice or serve simply sprinkled with a little sugar.