Specialty Cookies: Butter Tart Cookies

These cookies take a little extra effort, but they're definitely worth it. They are rich and buttery with a sweet filling that tastes just like a butter tart. Despite being more work than a regular cookie, they are infinitely easier than an actual butter tart, so try serving these at your next gathering instead.


Ingredients


For the Cookie
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup dark corn syrup
1 egg yolk
1¼ cup all purpose flour


For the Filling
¼ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
¼ cup powdered sugar
⅛ cup butter (do no substitute margarine)
1½ tbsp dark corn syrup
1 egg white, slightly beaten


Preparation


Start by making your cookie dough. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add corn syrup and egg yolk and blend well. Stir in flour and mix until all flour has been fully incorporated. Cover dough and place in the refrigerator.


Now make the filling. Toast the pecans by heating the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, until nuts are slightly browned. Watch the nuts closely. They can burn easily You want them just slightly browned, not dark. Allow nuts to cool for 5 minutes.


In a small saucepan, combine powdered sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, then remove immediately from the heat. Stir in toasted pecans. Set aside.


Heat oven to 375°F. Remove dough from fridge and shape into 1-inch balls. Place these on a prepared cookie sheet. They should be about 2 inches apart. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and brush lightly with egg white. Using the handle of a small spoon, carefully make a deep indentation of each cookie. Fill this indentation with the filling.


When all cookies are filled, return them to the oven and bake for an additional 9 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, then cool completely on wire racks.

This recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.