Name: Maple pecan cookies
Total time: 1 h
Yield: Makes 12
Ingredients: 150g salted butter, softened; 125g soft light brown sugar; 90ml maple syrup; 1 egg, lightly beaten; a pinch mixed spice; 280g plain flour; ½ tsp baking powder; 100g pecan halves, 12 left whole, the rest chopped

A selection of small cookies dotted with pecan nuts, with a cup of coffee on the side

150g salted butter
softened
125g soft light brown sugar
90ml maple syrup
1 egg
lightly beaten
a pinch mixed spice
280g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
100g pecan halves
12 left whole, the rest chopped

Method

step 1
Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until well combined. Whisk in the maple syrup, egg and mixed spice.
step 2
Fold in the flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt and the chopped pecans to make a dough. Cover and chill for 1 hour to firm up.
step 3
Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Line two baking sheets with baking paper or silicone baking mats.
step 4
Roll tablespoons of the mixture in your hands to form walnut- sized balls and put on the prepared trays, well spaced apart to allow for spreading. Flatten a little with the palm of your hand to stop them rolling.
step 5
Press a pecan into the middle of each cookie ball. Bake, in batches if you need to, for 12-14 minutes or until golden, crisp on the edges and still slightly soft in the centre. Leave to cool on the trays for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.