AUNT MARY DILLON'S PRALINE COOKIES

AUNT MARY DILLON'S PRALINE COOKIES image

Categories Dessert

Yield 3 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 2/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
8 tablespoon(s) (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 1/2 cup(s) light-brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup(s) heavy cream, plus more if necessary
1 cup(s) sifted confectioners' sugar
1 cup(s) pecan halves, toasted and broken into large pieces

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. 2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and 1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until fully combined. Add dry ingredients, and beat on low speed until combined. 3. Drop batter in rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until firm and barely golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies from pan to wire rack. 4. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 1 cup light-brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add confectioners' sugar, and whisk until smooth. (If frosting thickens, thin with cream.) Add pecan pieces. Place cookies on a cooling rack over a lined baking pan. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon praline mixture onto each cookie.