Maple Pecan Cookies

These are from Penzey's spices. They have just the right amount of maple. I've sub. margarine, Sucanat and w.w. pastry flour and they still turn out good. Preparation time includes chilling time. If you don't want to chill, just drop on sheets and you'll have ball like cookies. They still taste wonderful!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 36-48

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1  large  egg yolk
• 3  tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄4 cups pecans, coarsely chopped (about 6 oz)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes.
2. Gradually beat in the sugar until well blended.
3. Add the maple syrup, egg yolk and vanilla and mix until blended.
4. Add the flour and the pecans and mix well.
5. Divide the dough in half and shape into long logs (using a little flour on your hands if it gets sticky.) The easiest way to get a nice circular shape is to place the dough on the plastic wrap, pull the wrap around the log, and roll with your hands until round. You may have to rewrap the log with a fresh piece of plastic wrap.
6. Refrigerate until firm - at least 2 hours.
7. Preheat oven to 350°.
8. Take the dough out of the refrigerator one roll at a time, unwrap and slice the dough about 1/2 inch thick.
9. Place the disks on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until golden.
10. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in a sealed tin.