Found in the Washington Post who attributed it to cookbook author Sally Sampson's "Cookies". The dough can be frozen for up to two months. The cookies keep 5 days room temp in an airtight container (good for mailing!) & two weeks in the freezer after being baked (handy!). NOTE: To toast the pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and place in a 325-degree oven, shaking the sheet occasionally, for 15 minutes. Watch carefully; nuts burn quickly. *****these were one of the first gobbled up cookies on our Christmas trays! They are very dark & lumpy bumpy - suspicious looking in fact - but once tried were scooped up fast!******