FOR THE BISCUITS:

Put the margarine and icing sugar in a mixing bowl and beat together with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy (about 1 minute).

Add the vanilla and beat again

Add the xanthan gum and beat to combine.

Finally add in the flour

Work into a dough, kneading it a bit to bring it into a smooth ball, you may need a little more flour

Place in the fridge for around 30 minutes to make it easier and less sticky to use

Flour a clean surface and knead the dough until smooth.

Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 3mm.

Using your chosen cutter (1inch or less if you want them small!) cut out your shapes.

Transfer the biscuits to well greased or lined baking trays. Don’t worry about spacing them out because they do not grow!

Bake in a pre-heated oven for approx. 10 minutes at 190 degrees or 170 degrees (fan oven) until firm but not coloured.

Leave to cool in the baking tray for 5 minutes before placing on a wire rack to cool completely.

FOT THE ICING:

Mix the icing sugar, 60ml of juice, and glycerine together in a bowl. If you want different colours, divide the mixture into different bowls and then add the colouring gel. The consistency should be of toothpaste, if it seems too think add more juice.

Place into a piping bag with the star nozzle attached and pipe stars onto the cold biscuits.

Either place the finished biscuits into the oven on its lowest setting for 30 minutes to dry the icing out, or leave to dry for 24 hours at room temperature (I left mine in the cold oven to protect them from flies etc).

I have placed my finished biscuits in the freezer ready for the party on Sunday! They will take about 5 minutes to defrost!