SWEET ZWIEBACK

2 eggs
pinch salt
2/3 cup vanilla sugar (recipe follows)*
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Beat eggs with a pinch of salt with an electric mixer for 5 to 6 minutes, until very thick and creamy. Add the Vanilla Sugar and beat 1 more minute. Lower speed and gradually add flour.

Pour batter into 7- or 8-inch nonstick loaf pan (or use regular pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray).

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry. Remove from oven and let cool in pan on a wire rack.

Lower oven to 275 degrees F.

Remove cooled Zwieback from pan and slice into 16 slices, about 1/2-inch thick. Lay slices on baking sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes on each side, until they just begin to color. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

*If you don't want to make Vanilla Sugar, use regular sugar and add 1 tsp vanilla extract to the cookie dough.

VANILLA SUGAR

1 Whole vanilla bean
2 cups Granulated sugar

Split a vanilla bean lengthwise and place in a jar with 2 cups granulated sugar. Cover tightly, shake to blend and let sit at room temperature for 1 week. Use leftover sugar in place of regular sugar for baking, or to sweeten drinks.

Makes about 16 pieces
Third Place Winner, Low-Fat From the Dallas Morning News Holiday Cookie Contest Baked by: Edith Ingraham, Dallas
Source: Dallas Morning News; Dec 11, 1996