Pecan Pie Cookies

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions:
BEAT 1 cup butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup corn syrup and egg yolks, beating well. Gradually stir in flour; cover and chill 1 hour.

MELT 1/4 cup butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; stir in powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons corn syrup. Cook, stirring often, until mixture boils. Remove from heat. Stir in pecans; chill 30 minutes. Shape mixture by 1/2 teaspoonfuls into 1/4-inch balls; set aside.

SHAPE cookie dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Beat egg whites until foamy; brush on dough balls.

BAKE at 375° for 6 minutes. Remove from oven, and place pecan balls in center of each cookie. Bake 8 to 10 more minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking pans; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Freeze up to 1 month, if desired. Yield: 4 1/2 dozen.
Prep: 30 min.; Chill: 1 hr., 30 min.; Bake: 16 min.

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