Vanilla Half Moon Cookies

Ingredients

• 8 ounces flour 
• 3 ounces sugar 
• 6 ounces butter 
• 2 egg yolks 
• 4 ounces ground almonds 
• seeds of 1 1/2 vanilla bean 
• 8 ounces 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.  
TIP:  
You can use 2 ounces ground almonds and 2 ounces ground hazelnuts for a slightly different but delicious taste.  

Submitted by: J. Royanson