Sunday Recipe for 12-5-10

I grew up with these cookies.  My mom made them every Christmas, and I can't imagine a Christmas without them. 

ENGLISH TOFFEE COOKIES

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup finely chopped pecans, divided

1.  Heat oven to 375 degrees.   In a mixer bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla.
2.  Sift together the cake flour, salt, and cinnamon and add to butter mixture; beat until blended.  Add 1/2 cup of the pecans and mix well.
3.  Spread dough evenly into a jelly roll pan and pat down gently to even out dough.  Beat the egg white until frothy and spread evenly over dough.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup pecans. 
4.  Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until nicely browned.  Remove from oven and let sit for about 2 minutes, then cut into squares while still warm.  Let cool completely.