Adjust an oven rack to the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350F [180C]. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar, salt, and vanilla bean seeds on low speed. Add the butter one piece at a time and mix on medium until it is incorporated and the dough starts to form a ball. Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, shape into a flat disc, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough into a large, 1/4 in [6 mm] thick square. Using a 2 in [5 cm] biscuit cutter, cut out circles. (Any dough scraps can be rewrapped and chilled while the cookies are baking.) Gently slide a metal spatula underneath each round and transfer it to a prepared sheet. Place 12 on each sheet.

Bake one sheet at a time, 15 to 17 minutes, until the edges begin to brown.

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow the cookies to cool completely before drizzling with chocolate.

Put about 1 in [2.5 cm] of water in a medium saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil.

Melt 1 oz [30 g] of the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over the pan of boiling water, being careful not to let the water touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir constantly until just melted. Add the remaining 1 oz [30 g] and stir until the chocolate is completely smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Keep the cookies on the baking sheet. Spoon the room-temperature chocolate into a zipper-lock bag and close to seal, then snip the tip to make a very small opening. If the opening is too big, the chocolate will flow out too fast. Drizzle the chocolate back and forth over the cookies, making criss-cross patterns (or any other pattern that you like). Let the chocolate set before removing the cookies from the pan (unless, of course, you need to eat one right away).