THE IDEAL MUSLIMAH

Ingredients

• 100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 100g/3½oz caster sugar
• 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten
• 275g/10oz plain flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

To decorate

• 400g/14oz icing sugar
• 3-4 tbsp water
• 2-3 drops food colourings

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until combined.

3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time, until well combined.

4. Stir in the flour until the mixture comes together as a dough.

5. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 1cm/½in.

6. Using biscuit cutters, cut biscuits out of the dough and carefully place onto the baking tray.

7. Bake the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Set aside to harden for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

8. 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.

9. Carefully spread the icing onto the biscuits using a knife and set aside until the icing hardens.

Preparation time: less than 30 mins

Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins

Makes 24 biscuits

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