Instructions: Use this sugar to add a fresh-tasting vanilla flavor to all your favorite recipes. Its especially good when used to sweeten whipped cream.

To make the wafers:
Preheat oven to 400F. 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.

Makes 2 cups.

Makes about 36 cookies.

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