Gram Opal's Sugar Cookies

My grandma, Opal June Carlson (Gram C), made these cookies whenever my dad and I came to her cottage on Lake Okoboji for a visit. Although at the time I picked off the pecan halves that my 7-year-old self didn't yet appreciate, these simply delicious cookies were amazing and will live forever in my heart along with my Gram C!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 216 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• ½ teaspoon lemon extract
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 24 whole pecans
• 1 tablespoon hot water, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.

Step 2

Sift flour, baking soda, and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in a bowl.

Step 3

Beat 1 cup butter, white sugar, and egg in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour mixture, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to butter mixture; stir until dough is well blended. Roll cookie dough into walnut-size balls and place 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Press each ball down with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until baked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Cool.

Step 5

Stir confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, hot water, and vanilla together in a bowl until sugar is completely dissolved and icing is smooth. Spread icing on cooled cookies and top each cookie with a pecan.