Easy Vanilla Wafers

 

 

 

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/3 cup vanilla sugar

1/4 cup egg whites

1/3 cup unbleached all purpose flour

pinch of salt

for the vanilla sugar:

2 cups sugar

1 vanilla bean, cut into small pieces

Use this sugar to add a fresh tasting vanilla flavor to all your favorite recipes. It's especially good when used to sweeten whipped cream.

 

  To make the wafers:

 

Preheat oven to 400°. Generously butter heavy large cookie sheets. Beat 1/4 cup butter and sugar in medium bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg whites. Gradually mix in flour and salt; batter will be soft. Drop batter by level teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and centers of cookies are still pale about 7 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely. Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store in airtight container. To make the vanilla sugar: Process sugar and vanilla bean in processor until vanilla bean is very finely minced. Strain sugar to remove any large pieces of vanilla bean. Store sugar in airtight container.