Spiral Shortbread Cookies

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These cookies are very pretty and light, perfect for tea parties. They also look more complex than they are; you simply make two sets of dough (one plain, the other chocolate) and roll them into a cylinder, then slice them and bake.

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Steps

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Time does not include refrigerating the doughs.

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To make the plain dough: using a sharp knife , slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise.

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Separate the seeds from the skin by scraping the blade of the knife along the inside of the bean.

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Place the butter , sugar , egg yolks , vanilla bean seeds and orange zest in a medium sized mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are combined , about 1 minute.

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Combine the baking powder , salt and flour and add to the butter mixture all at once.

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Beat on low speed just until combined , about 1 minute.

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Remove the dough from the bowl and form it into a 4-inch by 9-inch rectangle and wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

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To make the chocolate dough: using a sharp knife , slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise.

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Separate the seeds from the skin by scraping the blade of the knife along the inside of the bean.

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Place the butter , sugar , egg yolks , vanilla bean seeds and orange zest.

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Ingredients

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vanilla bean, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, egg yolks, orange, zest of, baking powder, salt, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder