Aunt Mary Dillon's Praline Cookies

Davis and I were invited to a party honoring Meghan and Andy Pate several months ago. The food and desserts were amazing! I was especially attracted to these praline cookies. I searched the internet for a recipe and up popped Martha Stewart's recipe. I tasted exactly like the ones from the party! I was so excited to have found the recipe. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Aunt Mary Dillon's Praline Cookies
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if necessary
- 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup toasted pecan halves, toasted and broken into large pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until fully combined. Add dry ingredients, and beat on low speed until combined. Drop batter in rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until firm and barely golden, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies from pan to wire rack.

In a small saucepan, combine remaining 1 cup light brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add confectioners' sugar and whisk until smooth. (If frosting thickens, thin with more cream). Add pecan pieces. Place cookies on a cooling rack over a lined baking pan. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon praline mixture onto each cookie.