PECAN-FILLED MAPLE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in maple syrup and egg yolks. Beat in flour. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine butter, maple syrup and confectioners' sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture reaches a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; fold in pecans. Cool slightly; refrigerate until cooled completely., Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk egg whites. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Press a 1-inch wide indentation in the center of each ball, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Dip in egg whites; place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 6 minutes. Press 1 rounded teaspoon pecan filling into center of each cookie. Bake 7-9 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.