Sesame-Pecan Wafers

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter.

Step 2: Add sugar and vanilla

Step 3: Beat in as much of the flour as you can with a mixer and stir in the remaining flour, sesame seeds, and ground pecans with a spoon

Step 4: Divide dough in half and if dough is too sticky to handle, wrap and chill for 1 hour

Step 5: Preheat oven to 375

Step 6: Roll out half of the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness

Step 7: Cut out with 2-inch cutters, repeat with remaining dough

Step 8: Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet

Step 9: Bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges are light brown

Step 10: Transfer to wire rack to cool

Step 11: In a heavy small saucepan, combine chocolate and shortening, heat until melted, stirring till smooth

Step 12: Dip half of each cookie in chocolate and sprinkle with ground pecans, or sesame seeds if desired

Step 13: Let stand till chocolate sets