Pecan Pie Thumbprints

A good buttery dough and nutty filling take time to make, but the results are so worth it. After munching on a few, I think you'll agree.

Pecan Pie Thumbprints

Average Rating: 4

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
YIELD: 4-1/2 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • FILLING:
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

Instructions

  • 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg yolks and corn syrup. Gradually beat in flour. Refrigerate, covered, until firm enough to roll, 30 minutes.
  • 2. For filling, in a small saucepan, combine confectioners' sugar, butter and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in pecans. Remove from pan; refrigerate until cold, 30 minutes.
  • 3. Preheat oven to 375°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. In a small bowl, whisk egg whites; brush over tops.
  • 4. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Gently press an indentation in center of each cookie with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Fill each with a scant 1/2 teaspoon pecan mixture. Bake until edges are light brown, 4-5 minutes longer.
  • 5. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 86 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 37mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.