MOCHA PECAN BALLS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cp unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 1/2 cp granulated sugar
• 2 t vanilla
• 1 T instant espresso powder
• 1/4 cp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 t salt
• 1 3/4 cp all purpose flour
• 2 cp finely chopped pecans
• confectioners sugar for coating balls

DIRECTIONS In bowl with electric mixer, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, espresso, cocoa powder and salt and beat until well combined. Add flour, beat until just combined, beat in pecans. Chill dough covered at least 2 hrs or overnight. Preheat oven to (325) roll into 1 in balls and place 1 in apart on cookie sheets. Bake in middle of oven 12-15 min. Let cool 5 min. Toss in bowl of confectioners sugar. May be made 2 months in advance and kept frozen in airtight containers. Makes 95 cookies.