Christmas crescent biscuits

Method
Prep:20min  ›  Cook:10min  ›  Extra time:55min  ›  Ready in:1hr25min 

1. Preheat oven to 190 C / Gas mark 5.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, butter, nuts, 75g icing sugar, salt and vanilla. Hand mix until thoroughly blended. Shape dough into a ball. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, place remaining sugar in a bowl or small container. With sharp chef's knife, split vanilla bean lengthwise. Scrape out seeds, and mix them into the sugar. Cut pod into 5cm pieces and mix into sugar.
4. Remove dough from refrigerator and form into 2.5cm balls. Roll each ball into a small roll, 7cm long. Place rolls 5cm apart on ungreased baking tray, and bend each one to make a crescent shape.
5. Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set but not brown.
6. Let stand 1 minute, then remove from baking trays. Place hot biscuits on a large sheet of aluminium foil. Sprinkle with prepared sugar mixture. Turn gently to coat on both sides. Cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Just before serving, coat with more vanilla flavoured sugar.