Pecan Thins Recipes

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on center rack of oven and heat to 350 degrees. Butter three 5 3/4- by 2 1/4-inch or four 4 1/4- by 2 1/2-inch mini loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and butter the paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk both flours, sugar, tarragon or fennel seeds, baking soda and salt Add buttermilk and stir until smooth. Fold in pecans and raisins until evenly distributed. Divide among prepared pans, filling 1/4-inch from the top (batter will rise slightly in the oven), and smooth tops.
• Place pans on baking sheet and bake until loaves are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Slide a thin-bladed knife around the pan edges. Carefully invert the loaves onto a wire rack, and discard the parchment. Cool completely, right side up on the rack.
• Freeze loaves on a pan until very firm, at least 1 hour or up to 5 days.
• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Working with one frozen loaf at a time, cut 1/8-inch-thick slices with a sharp serrated bread knife. Arrange slices on prepared pan, spacing them 1/4-inch apart. Bake one pan at a time until crackers are browned and crisp, about 20 minutes. Use a metal spatula to transfer crackers to wire racks and let cool completely.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• In a bowl beat together butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy and beat in whites and vanilla until just combined. Sift flour over batter and fold in. Fold in pecans.
• Drop batter by rounded teaspoons about 3 inches apart onto well-buttered baking sheets and with the back of a fork pat into 2 1/2-inch rounds. Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven until golden around edges, about 5 minutes. Working quickly, with a metal spatula carefully loosen cookies immediately and transfer to racks to cool completely. (If cookies become too firm to remove from baking sheets, return to over for a few seconds to soften.) Cookies may be made 1 day ahead and kept, layers separated by wax paper, in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Position a rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Very generously butter an 18x13" rimmed baking sheet (do not line with parchment).
• Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave or set over a pot of barely simmering water. Mix sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour butter over and stir until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula after each addition, until batter is thick, shiny, and smooth. Stir in flour until well incorporated, then beat vigorously for 30-40 strokes. Stir in nuts or chocolate chips.
• Using a spatula, spread batter into a thin, even layer to edges and into corners of prepared sheet (batter will seem scant but brownies will rise to about 1/4" thick).
• Bake brownies until firm to the touch and a tester inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not runny batter) attached, 15-18 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Cut into 36 pieces and serve.
• Do Ahead
• Brownies can be made 5 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 6 months.

Steps:

• Cream butter.
• Gradually add sugar, beating well.
• Add egg and vanilla and blend well.
• Combine dry ingredients except pecans and gradually add to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in pecans.
• Divide dough in half and shape each half into a 1 1/2" diameter log.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 3 hours or until firm.
• Cut dough into 1/4" thick slices.
• Place 2" apart on lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Bake for 12 minutes or until lightly browned at 350°.
• Cool on wire racks.
• Can be stored in airtight container for several weeks.