Sesame Pecan Wafers

Delicate, crisp sesame pecan wafer cut-outs, decoratively drizzled with chocolate.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup ground pecans or almonds
2 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)

Cooking Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar and vanilla; beat until fluffy.
2. Stir in the flour, sesame seeds and ground nuts.
3. Divide dough in half. If dough is too sticky to handle, wrap each half in waxed paper or plastic wrap and chill about 1 hour or until easy to handle.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using 2-inch cookie cutter, cut dough into desired shapes. Place cookies about 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
6. In a heavy small saucepan, combine the semisweet chocolate and shortening. Heat over low heat until melted, stirring occasionally.
7. Drizzle chocolate mixture over cookies in a decorative manner. Let cookies stand until chocolate is set.

Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies.