Mean Chef's Pecan Cardamom Sand Cookies

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1⁄3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2  tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
• 24  pecan halves
•  additional granulated sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. I an electric mixer cream butter, shortening, both sugars and vanilla until mixture is well combined.
3. Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixer along with chopped pecans.
4. Combine well.
5. Either use a small portion scoop or roll pieces of dough into 1 - 2-inch balls.
6. Arrange on parchment-lined sheet pan.
7. Place a pecan half on top of each round, sprinkle with a little sugar and press down with the bottom of a glass to flatten to about 1/4-inch thick.
8. Bake until very pale golden.
9. Cool.