Say it with cookies ;-)

Here is a really easy, and reliable recipe to make 'no spread' biscuits (which means whatever shape cutter you use, or pattern you want to make in them, it won't distort when you cook them) - perfect for something like these.

The cookie cutter I used is from VonShef, available from Amazon (and yes, you can get them next day with Amazon Prime if you have it):  http://amzn.eu/4gbiXVN

The cutter set comes with enough duplicate letters to come up with all sorts of words or phrases for your loved one.  My husband opened his lunch at work to find a cookie with 'nice bum' written on it ;-)

You will need:

200g unsalted butter or solid baking margarine (room temperature)
200g caster sugar
400g plain flour
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 tea spoon vanilla essence

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 180C

• Mix the butter and caster sugar together - you may find this easiest by using the back of a wooden spoon to cream them together.

• Add the egg, and vanilla, and mix thoroughly

• Add the flour, and mix well until everything comes together into a ball.  You may need to use your hands for this.

• Roll out your biscuit mix (sprinkle flour onto your work surface, and your rolling pin) to about 1cm thick, and then cut out your desired shape.

• Add any words or patterns to your unbaked biscuits, and transfer them carefully to a baking tray.

• Bake for around 10 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.  Keep a close eye on them, they cook quickly.

• Transfer the biscuits onto a cooling rack once cooked - don't worry, they will still be a little flexible, they harden up when they cool.

• Make a cup of tea, and by the time you've done this, your cookies should be cool enough to eat.

• Test the cookies by eating around half of them, and save the rest for Valentines Day!