Cocoons

Ever had difficulty deciding what to make? You know you're in the mood to cook something different, but nothing seems to be really striking your fancy.

This was my dilemma today. I was contemplating what to post for the Ultimate Recipe Swap. The topic is flour and although I use flour as an ingredient nearly every day, I was having difficulty coming up with something new. Most of the recipes I use on a regular basis are not my own - they are recipes I've gotten from other people. And those that are my own, for the most part, I've already posted. So, what new could I post?

I began to browse my favorite cookbooks and the various recipes links I've saved online - all looking for inspiration. Then, as I was browsing some old posts I realized I'd never posted the recipe for the Cocoons I made at Christmas. They're not your every day cookie, a bit unusual, but not too difficult either so I settled on this recipe:

Cocoons
(printable recipe)

Ingredients:
½ lb butter (2 sticks)
6 Tblsp confectioner's sugar
1 Tblsp vanilla
3 Cups flour, sifted
2 Cups pecans - chopped fine
Additional confectioner's sugar for rolling

Directions
1. Cream the butter with the sugar.

2. Mix in vanilla.
3. Add sifted flour a little at a time.
4. Add pecans until mixed throughout. The dough will be crumbly, but should hold together when pressed in the palm of your hand (see photo).
5. Roll into small cocoon (or log) shape in palm of hand.
6. Lay out on an ungreased baking sheet. These don't spread much so you can fit a lot on one pan.

7. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes on ungreased baking sheet.
8. Remove from oven, roll in powdered sugar while still hot.
9. After cookies are cooled roll in powdered sugar again.


Notes:
No, I did not leave out an ingredient. There really is no baking powder or baking soda in these cookies.
This recipe makes about 5-6 dozen depending on the size of the cocoon you make. Mine, in these pictures, are a little larger than we typically make.
My father loved these cookies and my brother even made a special request for them last Christmas. Personally, I, umm, think these tend to be a bit on the dry side as cookies go.

Enjoy!

You'll find more great recipes using flour at The Ultimate Recipe Swap at Life as Mom.