Vanilla Half Moon Cookies      

8 oz. flour
3 oz. sugar
6 oz. butter
2 egg yolks
4 oz. ground almonds
Seeds of 1.5 vanilla bean
8 oz. powdered sugar


Cut vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds. Mix flour, sugar, butter, egg yolks, almonds and vanilla (1/2 vanilla bean). Make 2 strands out of the dough and let stand in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Slice each strand into 40 pieces.

Using your hands, roll each piece into an approximately 2 inches long strand, pull ends to form a half-moon or a "C". Lay onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes. Mix powdered sugar and rest of vanilla seeds (1 vanilla bean). Carefully, roll hot half-moons into sugar and vanilla mixture. (approximately 40 calories per piece).

TIP:
You can use 2 oz. ground almonds and 2 oz. ground hazelnuts for a slightly different but delicious taste.

Makes 80 cookies