Pecan Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Pecan Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds...it doesn't matter, I love all kinds of nuts and pecans are a particular favorite. I especially love pecan pie but rarely make it because it is one of the few baked goods I can't actually resist and would probably eat the whole thing over the course of a couple of days. These gorgeous sandwich cookies fall into the same category; I simply can't resist these chewy cookies with big chunks of crunchy pecans and joined by a velvety smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate center. For me these are both taste-wise and texturally, perfect.

• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or butterscotch flavouring (or both! Hint, hint.)
• 1 cup pecan pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray one cookie sheet with spray oil or line with parchment paper.

In a medium sized bowl whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and combine thoroughly.

Add the flour mixture to the sweetened butter. Mix only enough to incorporate flour. Do not overmix. Fold in the pecan pieces.

Form cookies by dropping a rounded teaspoon of dough on the prepared cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake until light brown around the edges, about 12 minutes, depending on cookie size.

Over baking is the biggest problem with these cookies. Your oven temperature and the type of cookie sheet you use will vary the baking times considerably. When they are golden brown around the edges is the time to remove them from the oven.

Cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool thoroughly. sandwich together with chocolate ganache filling.

Chocolate Ganache Filling

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup whipping cream

Melt together in a double boiler until smooth. Let cool to room temperature and then spoon a heaping teaspoon of the mixture between two of the pecan cookies.