EASY PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES

I think my love for shortbread butter cookies started with my English mother who adored Peek Frean  cookies "biscuits".  On every return trip from England, she would bring back packages of Peek Frean's, Bisto (a gravy mix) and Player cigarettes, all of which she guarded as if they were jewels because they were unavailable in Alaska. 

The recipe I'm posting today tastes a lot like mom's favorite Peek Frean cookies. We lost her 20 years ago this week, so today's post is in honor of her...this one's for you mom!!

These cookies are buttery, sweet, crunchy and  they melt in your mouth (not to mention they take minimal ingredients). The cookie dough is formed into logs... chilled, then sliced and baked at your convenience.  You can also bake part of the cookies and save the rest of the chilled dough for later in the week!!

1 cup butter (no substitutions) room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract (see note)
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat  (on high) the room temperature butter, sugar, salt and extracts until the mixture is light an fluffy (takes a couple minutes and looks sort of like whipped cream when you are done).

Add the flour and nuts and beat until well mixed and the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl.

Divide the dough in half and shape into two logs, about  2" in diameter. Roll the logs in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about an hour (or up to several days).

When it's time to bake, slice the cookie dough logs into 1/4" slices and roll (tops and bottoms) in granulated sugar.  Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for  18-20 minutes (my oven took exactly 20 minutes) or until the edges are JUST STARTING to turn golden.

Recipe makes 3 dozen cookies

NOTE: You will not taste the coconut extract in the final cookie, but it lends a wonderful "background" flavor that is reminiscent of those great Royal Dansk Danish butter cookies that come in round tins at Christmas time.