Ingredients

• 250g butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 3/4 cups (265g) plain flour
• 2/3 cup (120g) rice flour
• 1 eggwhite, lightly whisked
• White sugar, to sprinkle
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1/2 cup (110g) white sugar

Method

• Step 1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper.
• Step 2 Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar, vanilla bean paste and cardamom in a medium bowl until pale and creamy. Add the plain flour and rice flour and use a wooden spoon to stir until well combined. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until smooth.
• Step 3 Use a rolling pin to roll out to a 4mm-thick disc. Use a 3cm-diameter star-shaped pastry cutter to cut stars from the dough and place on the lined trays.
• Step 4 Lightly brush the top of the stars with the eggwhite and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden and cooked through. Set aside on the trays to cool completely.
• Step 5 Meanwhile, use a small knife to scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean. Combine the vanilla bean, seeds and white sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle over the stars to serve.