Spiced Pecan Wedding Cookies
By Lisa Donovan, Pastry Chef, Husk Nashville http://buttermilkroadsundaysupper.com/

Ingredients
For the Spiced Pecans:
2 tbsp. water
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. cayenne 
½ tsp. cinnamon
Zest of one orange
Pinch of black pepper
2 oz 4 tbsp. butter, melted
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp dark brown sugar
1 lb. pecans, halved

Toast pecans in 350 F oven for 6-8 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Toss pecans with mixture and spread on sheet pan. Bake at 325 F, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes, until sugars start to caramelize and nuts become slightly candied looking. Cool before chopping.

For Spiced Pecan Wedding Cookies:
8 oz butter
½ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp. salt
1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup finely chopped spiced pecans

1 cup powdered sugar for coating

Directions

1. Cream butter and powdered sugar in mixer with paddle attachment until combined. 2. Add vanilla, cinnamon and salt and continue to beat to fluffy. Add flour and nuts and incorporate well. 3. Chill dough for an hour. Preheat oven to 350 F. 4. Roll dough in 1" balls, roll in powdered sugar and bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly browned. Let cool completely and sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar to finish.