PECAN-FILLED MAPLE COOKIES

Pecan-Filled Maple Cookies image

These festive cookies melt in your mouth, and look and taste just like a personal-size pecan pie. My clan eats them straight from the cooling rack. The treats rarely make it to the cookie jar! -TaeRee Glover, Sedan, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 large egg yolks
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
PECAN FILLING:
1/4 cup butter, cubed
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 large egg whites

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in maple syrup and egg yolks. Beat in flour. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine butter, maple syrup and confectioners' sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture reaches a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; fold in pecans. Cool slightly; refrigerate until cooled completely., Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk egg whites. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Press a 1-inch wide indentation in the center of each ball, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Dip in egg whites; place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 6 minutes. Press 1 rounded teaspoon pecan filling into center of each cookie. Bake 7-9 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 166 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 66mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.