Old Fashioned Vanilla Tea Cakes
["3 c. sugar", "1 vanilla bean (about 6-inches long)", "1 c. unsalted butter, softened", "3 eggs", "5 1/4 c. sifted all-purpose flour", "1/2 tsp. baking soda", "1 c. whipping cream"]
["Place the sugar and vanilla bean in a tightly closed container and set aside for 1 week."]
["sugar", "vanilla bean", "unsalted butter", "eggs", "flour", "baking soda", "whipping cream"]