Shelly's Recipe

CARAMEL-FILLED CHOCOLATE COOKIES I

Category: Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup finely chopped pecans, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
1 (9-ounce) package chewy caramels in milk chocolate

Beat butter until creamy; gradually add
sugars, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

Combine flour, soda, and cocoa; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Cover and chill dough at least 2 hours. Combine remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1 tablespoon sugar.

Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Work with 1 portion at a time, storing
remainder in refrigerator. Divide each portion into 12 pieces. Quickly press
each piece of dough around a caramel; roll into a ball. Dip one side of ball in
pecan mixture. Place balls, pecan side up, 2" apart on ungreased cookie
sheets.

Bake at 375 for 8 minutes. (Cookies will look soft.) Let cool 1 minute on
cookie sheets; remove to wire racks and let cool completely.