Pecan Crescents

These nutty cookies are much like traditional wedding cookies. Let your kids help roll the dough into logs and bend them into shape.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pecan halves, toasted
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Pulse pecans in a food processor until they are coarse like sand.
2. Beat butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Stir in vanilla and ground pecans. Gradually add flour, beating until a soft dough forms. Beat at low speed just until combined. Cover and chill 1 hour.
3. Divide dough into 5 portions; divide each portion into 12 pieces. Roll dough pieces into 2-inch logs, curving ends to form crescents. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Cool completely on wire racks.

Southern Living
DECEMBER 2004