Snappy Turtle Cookies

Red Velvet Cupcake Murder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

## Ingredients

* 1/2 cup ***(one stick, 4 ounces, 1/4 pound)*** salted butter, softened
* 1/2 cup brown sugar ***(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)***
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 1 egg yolk ***(keep the white in a small bowl for later)***
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring ***(optional)***
* 1 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour ***(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)***
* 2/3 cup pecan halves cut in half lengthwise

## Directions

* In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until they're nice and fluffy.
* Mix in the baking soda and the salt.
* Add the egg and the egg yolk and mix well.
* Mix in the vanilla extract and the maple flavoring ***(if you decided to use it)***.
* Add the flour in increments, approximately a half-cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. ***(I know your last increment will be a little short, but don't worry, the flour police will not knock on your door to arrest you!)***
* Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
* Arrange the pecan pieces in groups of 5 in a starburst design so that they will resemble the feet and head of a turtle when you put a cookie dough ball in the center.
* Shape the dough by rounded teaspoonful into dough balls.
* Dip the bottom of the dough balls into the egg white and then set it in the center of your starburst of nuts. Press the dough balls down so that the tips of the nuts will stick out to form the "feet" and "head" when the cookies are baked.
* Bake the Snappy Turtle Cookies at 350 degrees F., for 10 to 13 minutes or until the cookies are a golden brown.
* Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
* Yield:  2 and 1/2 dozen cookies that will delight children and adults alike.
* ***Hannah's Note: Nancy sometimes frosts her cookies with canned chocolate frosting, but we always make our own frosting at The Cookie Jar. Here's the recipe we like:***

## Easy Chocolate Frosting

### Frosting Ingredients

* 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1/4 cup whipping cream
* 1/2 cup butter ***(1 stick, 4 ounces, 1/4 pound)***
* 1 and 1/2 cups powdered ***(confectioners')*** sugar ***(NOT sifted)***

### Frosting Directions

* Combine the chips, cream and butter in a saucepan. Melt them together over very low heat, stirring constantly. When everything is melted, turn off the heat and move the pan to a cold burner. Stir everything smooth with a wooden spoon or a heat-resistant spatula. ***(Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate chips with the cream and the butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute on HIGH. Stir to see if everything's melted and if it's not, heat it in 30-second increments until it is.)***
* Measure the powdered sugar, packing it down in the cup when you do so. Place it in a bowl large enough to also hold the chocolate mixture.
* Give the chocolate mixture in the saucepan a final stir and then pour it over the powdered sugar. Do this fast and all at once. Start stirring immediately and mix until the frosting is smooth. This frosting will look "runny", but don't worry. It'll harden up when the butter solidifies. If it hardens too much as you're frosting the cookies, just heat it very gently over low heat on the stovetop, or, if you made it in the microwave, heat it again on HIGH for 20 seconds or so.

Yield: This frosting should frost 2 to 3 dozen cookies, or a small cake.