Pecan Shortbread Pears

Yield: 40 small biscuits

Preparation time is 1 hour

Ingredients

• 250 grams soft unsalted butter (8 ounces)
• 160 grams icing sugar, sifted (1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 20 millilitres brandy (2 small tablespoons)
• 400 grams plain flour (2 2/3 cups)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 110 grams pecans, roasted and finely ground
• 42 cloves
• icing sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit
2. In a bowl, beat the softened butter with the icing sugar until combined. Then add the vanilla, the egg yolk and brandy and beat again until just combined. All this can be done in a food processor or with a hand beater. Gradually beat in the sifted flour and baking powder and crushed pecans until the mixture just comes together. Pull it together with your hand and then form walnut-sized pieces.
3. Place the pieces of dough on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and flatten the bottoms so that they become pear shaped. Press a clove into the top of each one to look like the stem of the pear. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden. Remove them from the oven and cool. Dust heavily with icing sugar.
5. Serve with any selection of summer fruit or citrus salad.