Sablés Poisson d'Avril (April Fools' Day shortbread fish)
1 hour 40 min
In France, April 1 is a day for pranks, like tacking a paper fish to a friend's back and shouting "poisson d'Avril!", but you can make these shortbread cookies into any shape for any occasion.
Beat the butter and sugar together until smooth. Stir in the egg. Stir in the flour, and form the dough into a ball. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 190 C / Gas 5. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin between two sheets of baking parchment. Cut the shortbread into fish shapes (or any shape you desire) and place on the prepared baking tray. Form the dough into a ball again, roll and cut until no dough remains. Sprinkle with the vanilla sugar.
Bake in the preheated oven until pale golden brown, about 10 minutes.