• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Chop ½ cup pecans and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, mix butter and sugar until the mixture is creamy.
• Add 2 tsp Vanilla to the butter mixture.
• Mix in 3 cups flour and finally ½ cup chopped pecans.
• Roll dough into 1" balls and place on a parchment covered cookie sheet. With your thumb or the back of a spoon press flatten the top of each cookie.
• Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.
• Cool cookies completely before piping on the icing.

Buttercream Icing

• Beat 1 cup butter and 2 tsp vanilla until smooth. 
• Gradually add in 4 cups powdered sugar, starting at a low speed working your way to a medium. Continue at medium speed for one to two minutes until everything is well combined. 
• Scrape the sides of the bowl several times while the ingredients mix.
• Add 3-4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream (half & half or milk will work) until you have the consistency you prefer. You want the icing to be stiff and cold before piping onto the cookies.