Instructions: Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs, beating well.

Stir together flour, cocoa, and soda; add to butter mixture, mixing well. Stir in vanilla and 1/2 cup pecans. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Combine remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1 tablespoon sugar; set aside. Gently press 1 tablespoon cookie dough around each candy, forming a ball. Dip 1 side of cookie in pecan mixture. Place, pecan-side up, 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. (Cookies will look soft.) Cool 1 minute on baking sheets. Remove to wire racks to cool.

This recipe yields 4 dozen.

Yield: 4 dozen

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