Place the plain flour, cold salted butter, and caster sugar into a food processor or a bowl. Whizz in the mixer or use a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Add the almond essence and the vanilla sugar (or essence).

Turn the mixture out onto a clean surface. Using the warmth of your hands, gently knead and bring the dough together until it forms a smooth ball. Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long sausage shape about the thickness of your finger.

Cut the sausages into 6cm lengths. Place the pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Use your fingers to press down gently on each biscuit to flatten it slightly.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 9 to 12 minutes. You are looking for them to be set and just beginning to turn a pale golden colour around the edges.

Allow them to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack.