Recipe For Cooking Pajas

Toaster Oven Cookies :: Southwest Inspired Cookies

Pajas

These are traditional Mexican cookies.

Makes approximately: 20 servings

1 C. pecan halves
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 C. sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 C. chopped dried apricots
1/2 C. chopped semisweet chocolate or chips
7 oz. sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, or use a nonstick pan.

Toss the pecans in the melted butter to evenly coat. Spread the nuts on an unprepared cookie sheet and bake 10 to 15 min., or until golden and aromatic. Set aside to cool, and then chop roughly.

Place the chopped pecans and the remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until evenly moistened. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. of batter for each cookie onto the lined cookie sheet and gently flatten to circles of about 2 1/4 in. in diameter (these cookies do not spread). Bake 10 min. or until the coconut turns very pale golden, being careful not to over-brown. Transfer to racks to cool. Makes approximately 20 to 24 cookies.