Vanilla cookies

Preheat the oven to 180 ºC and butter a few baking sheets or spray with non-stick spray.
Sift the self-raising flour, add the almonds and mix.
Cream the butter and castor sugar together, and add the vanilla essence and egg, beating well.
Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, mixing well.
Gather the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Lightly roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out different shapes.
Arrange on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 5 to 6 minutes or until the cookies just begin to change colour.
Allow to cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make a smooth icing using icing sugar and milk, and spread over the cookies. Decorate as desired. Leave to dry before storing in airtight containers.