Instructions: Cream the butter and sugar together. Slowly add the flour, working it in well. Add the well-beaten eggs and mix thoroughly. Chill over night. Roll out thin on lightly floured board; cut the cookies in shapes [star is our favorite, or anything for the occasion!]; brush cookies with the egg white which has been slightly beaten, sprinkle with sugar and a little cinnamon and press 1/2 pecan [or, we usually sprinkle chopped pecans in a decoration on top] into center of cookie. Bake at 350-F about 10 minutes.

Gary Says: I have collected German recipes since 1970 from both grandmothers sides of family. Here is one I do not know if everyone makes, but it is a treasure in our homes. Though we have not traced our lineage into Pa. Dutch [Deutch=German], we did have relatives living in Lancaster, PA. in the 1800s.

When my parents were in Lancaster a couple years ago, the Penn Dutch were selling these cookies at a stand and confirmed that they are indeed their origin.

We used to cut them as stars and as moon crescents, and always sprinkled the chopped pecans on top rather than embed a half into it.

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