Whenever I bake cookies for the annual animal shelters fund raising event, I’ll try at least one new recipe. When I received this recipe from a friend, I knew I had a keeper.

Ingredients: (Yield: 7 dozen)

• 1 cup shortening
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 package (10 to 12 ounces) white baking chips
• ½ cup chopped pecans

For the frosting:

• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
• 3 to 5 tablespoons 2% milk
• 1½ cups pecan halves

Method:

In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and maple flavoring. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in white chips and pecans.

Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, confectioners’ sugar, maple flavoring and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost each cookie with 1 teaspoon frosting; top with a pecan half.