Mint Surprise Cookies

This 1949 Pillsbury Bake-off winning recipe was originally called Starlight Cookies.  To our family, they will always be known as Grandma Josephine’s Mint Surprise Cookies!

Prep Time: 1 hour    Total Time: 3 hours (with refrigeration)

WHAT YOU NEED:

3 cups all-purpose flour

 1 tsp. baking soda

 ½ teaspoon salt

 1 cup butter, softened 

 1 cup granulated sugar

 ½ cup packed brown sugar

 2 Tbsp. water

 1 tsp. vanilla

 2 eggs

 60 Andes crème de menthe chocolate candies (from three 4.67-oz packages), unwrapped

 60 pecan or walnut halves

 MAKING IT:

Sift together flour, soda and salt; set aside.

In large bowl, beat sugars, butter, water, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until blended. On low speed, add sifted dry ingredients until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours for easier handling.

Heat oven to 375°F. Using a rounded 1 tablespoon of dough, shape dough around each chocolate candy to cover completely. Place dough balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Top each with nut half.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

TIPS:

The mint candies can be trimmed a bit with a kitchen knife so the mint can be wrapped inside the dough more easily (eat the mint candy trimmings, of course!)