Cream the butter and sugar and then add the egg and the vanilla essence.

Combine the dry ingredients and add. Mix well. Put into teaspoon lots on to a cold, floured oven tray. Flatten with a fork. Bake at 180 C/350 F for about 10 minutes (if you are using a fan-forced oven then you will need to lower the temperature by up to 10 degrees centigrade and/or adjust the time).

Leave on a wire rack to cool and then store in an air-tight container.