Maple Pecan Twists Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• FILLING:
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• ICING:
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in maple flavoring. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 18-in. rectangle. Brush with melted butter to within 1/2 in of edges. Sprinkle with pecans. Fold one short side of dough a third of the way over filling; fold the other short side over the top, forming an 18-in. x 3-in. rectangle. Cut into 3/4 in. strips; twist each strip twice.
• Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• In a small bowl, combine icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over twists. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Maple Pecan Twists published in Country Extra November 2004, p49