*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                          Carmel Nut Thumbprints

Recipe By     : Easiest-Ever Holiday Meals
Serving Size  : 48   Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Cookies

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        Cookies:
     3/4  c             Sugar
     1/2  c             Butter -- softened
     1/2  c             Shortening
   1      ts            Vanilla
   1                    Egg -- separated
   1 3/4  c             All purpose flour
     1/2  c             Unsweetened cocoa
     1/2  ts            Baking powder
   1 1/2  c             Pecans -- finely chopped
                        Filling:
  20                    Caramels -- unwrapped
     1/4  c             Half and half

Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, combine sugar, butter, and
shortening; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg yolk;
blend well.

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour, cocoa,
and baking powder to butter mixture, mix well.

In small bowl, beat egg white until foamy; place pecans in another
small bowl. Shape dough into 1" balls. Dip in egg white; roll in
pecans. Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets. With thumb, make
indentation of each cookie.

Bake at 325°F for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are set.

Meanwhile, in small saucepan, combine caramels and half and half;
cook over medium low heat until caramels are melted, stirring
occasionally.

Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheets; place on wire racks.
Spoon 1/2 ts warm caramel mixture into center of each cookie. Cool
completely.

Yield: 48 Cookies


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