Cookies-Maple cookies

Normally I make these for Christmas but I had the itch to make some cookies for Thanksgiving and these seemed like a good fit.

Vanilla Chip Maple Cookies

Ingredients:

Cookies
1c shortening
1/2c butter, softened
2c packed brown sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
1tsp maple flavoring
2 eggs
3c AP flour
1tsp baking soda
2c white chocolate chips
1/2c chopped pecans

Frosting
1/4c butter, softened
4c confectioner's sugar
1tsp maple flavoring
1/2tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4-6tsp milk
3 1/2c pecan halves

Directions:

1.  For cookies, cream shortening, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and maple flavoring until fluffy and lightens in color.
2.  Mix in eggs and baking soda then add flour.  Mix in chopped nuts and chips
3.  Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet.  Bake @ 350F for 8-10min or until edges slightly browned.
4.  For frosting, cream butter, maple flavoring, vanilla extract, and salt.  Mix in confectioner's sugar and add milk until the right consistency is reached.
5.  Pipe frosting onto the center of each cookie and press in a pecan half.
Yield 6 dozen


Notes:
-Can use whipping cream instead of milk which makes it's whip up more but need to increase the volume added
 -Some of my family members are really opposed to nuts in cookies but when I chopped them up in a food processor I got the same nutty taste I like and they were none the wiser.


The Verdict:
Definitely super sweet, not a cookie you sit down and eat a dozen of at once. 


Original Recipe from: Taste of Home:  Best Loved Cookies and Bars