Vanilla Bean Wafers

ever since i made the vanilla bean scones i have been craving more vanilla baked goods. when i saw these vanilla wafers at williams-sonoma i decided to whip up a batch of them - stat!

the end result was a wonderfully, buttery shortbread-like cookie. they were delicious! the worst part about this recipe is waiting for the chilling in the fridge time. as soon as they were chilled, all i had to do was slice and bake. the mixture of vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste packs a real vanilla punch. it's just what these cookies needed.

they would be delicious with chocolate pudding or shoved into a big bowl of ice cream - vanilla bean ice cream (ooh with hot fudge on top:) but, they are also fabulous on the own. each bite just seems to melt in your mouth.

as always, i recommend washing these down with an ice cold glass of milk!

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Vanilla Bean Wafers
makes approximately 3 1/2 dozen cookies
adapted from Williams-Sonoma

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 egg yolks
1 tbs vanilla bean paste
1/2 tbs vanilla extract
2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

cream together butter, sugar, and salt on medium speed for 2 minutes. add egg yolks and beat. add vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste. slowly add flour and mix until combined into a smooth dough.

divide dough in half and roll into uniform logs. wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours to firm up (or overnight).

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. unroll dough logs and slice into 1/4" rounds. bake on parchment lined baking sheets for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are just starting to brown. remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheets.