Turtle Cookies

I found this recipe on the web while searching for McKenzie’s Bakery (a one-time huge chain of bakeries across Greater Metropolitan New Orleans). My grandmother had one near her house on Gentilly Blvd. and Elysian Fields and needless to say, these were a LARGE part of my childhood (along with Russian Cakes from Mr. Lawrence’s Bakery). I hope I cleaned this up enough that the fractions came out alright. Enjoy.

Turtle Cookies

1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon maple flavored extract
60 pecan halves

FROSTING:
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar

Cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, egg yolk, vanilla and maple flavoring. Set aside. Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients gradually to the creamed mixture until you have smooth dough and then chill 2 hours. Shape dough into balls to make 12 equal balls. These should be shaped into ovals like a turtle body. Dip bottoms into little of egg white. Press pecan pieces into bottoms that have the egg white to form a head and the 4 feet for the turtles, place onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for about 10 to 12 minutes or until set and when cool, frost.
FROSTING-Melt chocolate, milk and butter. Beat in the sifted powdered sugar until smooth. Enjoy!

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