Frosted Cashew Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon each baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup salted cashew halves

Browned Butter Frosting:

1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1/4 tsp. maple extract - yumm)
3 tablespoons light cream
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Additional cashew halves, optional

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg, sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in the cashews. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. For the frosting, lightly brown butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; add cream and vanilla. Beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth and thick.  Frost cookies.  Top each with a cashew half if desired.  Yield: approx. 3 dozen.

 Lorrie Dunford