3/4 c  Butter; plus
     2 tb Butter – (14 tbspns);
          -softened
     5 tb Granulated sugar
     2 c  All-purpose flour
     1 pn Salt
     1 tb Vanilla
     3 tb Water
     1 c  Chopped pecans
          Powdered Sugar Frosting;
          -(see recipe)
          Or jam
 Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add flour, salt, vanilla and
 water; mix well. Stir in pecans. Refrigerate dough 15 to 30 minutes.
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls on
 ungreased baking sheets; press center of each ball with back side of
 floured 1/4-teaspoon measuring spoon. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until set
 and slightly brown around edges. When cool, filled centers with red or
 green frosting or jam. Yields about 7 dozen 1-inch cookies.
 Tester’s notes: outstanding recipe for flavor and appearance. Refrigerated
 dough is slightly sticky when shaping into balls. I would suggest freezing
 the cookies without the frosting; add the frosting a day or so before
 serving. Store in an airtight container.
                 
                 Yields       
                84 servings                
