Vanilla Maple Pecan Cookies

This recipe belongs to a dear old friend.  I've been thinking about these cookies for quite some time but didn't have an excuse to make them until my girlfriend at church asked me to bring a batch of bars or cookies to share at our Christmas Eve Service.  And of course, I said "Yes"!

So, here they are...in all their splendor!

Here is how to make them:

Vanilla Maple Pecan Cookies

Ingredients:

Cookie:

1 cup shortening

1/2 cup margarine, softened

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon maple flavoring (a little tricky to find, but it's out there!)

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups white chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Frosting:

1/4 cup margarine, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon maple flavoring

4-6 Tablespoons milk

1/2 cup pecan halves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, butter, and brown sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Beat in vanilla and maple flavoring.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking soda.  Gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Stir in the white chocolate chips and pecans.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto non-greased baking sheets.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar.  Beat in maple flavoring and enough milk to achieve a spreading consistency.  Frost cooled cookies and top each with a pecan half.

Note:  This recipe makes 7 dozen...yes, about 84 cookies so feel free to halve it if you need less.

Enjoy!