---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
 
      Title: Praline Cookies
 Categories: Cookies
      Yield: 1 Batch
 
    1/3 c  Sugar
      2 tb Water
      1 c  Pecans or hazelnuts;
           - toasted, chopped
      1 c  Butter
  2 1/2 c  Flour
      1 c  Brown sugar; packed
    1/2 c  Sugar
      2    Eggs -OR-
    1/2 c  Egg substitute
      1 ts Vanilla
    1/2 ts Soda
      2 oz Chocolate; semisweet or
           - bittersweet, chopped
           - (optional)
      2 tb Pecans or hazelnuts;
           - finely chopped (optional)
 
  Grease a large baking sheet with the 2 tb butter. Set aside.

  Praline:

  In a heavy saucepan stir together 1/3 cup sugar and the water. Cook
  and stir over medium-high heat until boiling. Then cook for 2-1/2
  to 3-1/2 minutes more or until syrup is deep golden brown. Remove
  from heat. Stir in 1 cup nuts. Immediately pour onto the prepared
  baking sheet. Cool completely on a wire rack until firm. When firm,
  transfer praline to a heavy plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crush
  the praline into small pieces. Set aside.

  Cookies:

  In a large mixing bowl beat the 1 cup butter with an electric mixer
  on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or until softened. Add
  about half of the flour, all of the brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar,
  eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until thoroughly combined,
  scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat or stir in remaining
  flour. Stir in crushed praline. Drop 1/4 cup of dough at a time 4"
  apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten to 1" thickness and bake
  in 350 F oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly
  browned. Cool on cookie sheets for 1 minute. Remove cookies and
  finish cooling on wire racks. If desired, melt chocolate. Cool.
  Drizzle the melted chocolate over cookies and sprinkle with chopped
  pecans or hazelnuts.

  These cookies are huge and may be wrapped separately in plastic
  wrap and twist-tied, then decorated with a fancy bow.
 
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