1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.

2.  If using a food mixer: Put the butter, all dry ingredients and vanilla (if using) into the mixer and combine until it has the consistency of breadcrumbs.

3. If making by hand, rub the butter and sugar together until they have a breadcrumb consistency, then add all other dry ingredients and vanilla and mix.

4. Add the milk, one spoon at a time, until it comes together to form a dough.

5. Roll the dough to around 5mm thick and cut out your shapes. Use fairly large cutters to allow space for your sweet.

6. Put the shapes onto two lined baking trays.

7. Cut a hole in each biscuit, around 2.5cm in diameter. We used a water bottle lid to cut the holes. This is where your sweets will go.

8. Put a sweet into each hole. Don’t worry that it doesn’t go to the edges; it will melt.

9. If you would like to put a ribbon in your biscuits, use a straw or skewer to make a hole in the top of each biscuit

10. Bake for 12 minutes, but keep your eye on them from 10 minutes. They are ready when they’re slightly golden and quite firm to touch. Leave on the tray to firm up.

11. Feel free to embellish with ribbons, icing or anything else that takes your festive fancy!