INGREDIENTS: 8 ounces butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 cups finely chopped pecans sifted confectioners' sugar, optional PREPARATION:Cream butter and brown sugar; stir in vanilla. Gradually work in flour. Mixture will be crumbly. Add chopped pecans and work into dough. Pinch off dough and roll in hands to form balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place on greased baking sheets; bake pecan cookies at 325° for 15 to 20 minutes, until firm and browned on bottoms. If desired, roll pecan cookies in confectioners' sugar while still warm. Makes about 4 dozen pecan praline cookies
