1. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract and knead until you get a smooth dough – do not overwork the dough or it will get tough. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for about 45 minutes.

2. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 0.24 inches (0.6cm) and cut out small stars. Collect leftover dough, roll out again and cut out more stars until all the dough has been used. Cover the stars to prevent them from drying out. Mix the brown sugar with the vanilla sugar in a small bowl and set aside.

3. Add the oil/clarified butter to a small pot and heat up to about 350°F (175°C). Deep-fry the stars in small portions until they are lightly golden brown on all sides – takes about 1-2 minutes. Do not let them get too dark or they will turn out dry. Take out of the oil/fat and let drain a moment on a piece of kitchen paper. Roll immediately in the sugar mixture and then let cool down on a wire rack. Repeat until all stars are done. The stars should be served when still a bit warm – they definitely taste best fresh!