Chocolate Pecan Sugar Drops

Very good cookies (except the nuts).

• 1 3/4 cups finely chopped pecans, divided
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 package (18 3/4 oz.) German chocolate cake mix with pudding
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons hot water
• 70 pecan halves

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Combine 3/4 cup chopped pecans and sugar. To make cookies, place cake mix in a large bowl. Use mixer to beat in oil and eggs.  Add chocolate chips and remaining 1 cup pecan pieces.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2” apart onto baking sheets. Flatten each cookie lightly with the bottom of a juice glass dipped in the sugar and nut mixture. Add hot water to the remaining sugar-nut mixture. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the sugar-nut topping over each cookie. Firmly press a pecan half in the center of each. Bake 8-10 minutes until top is set. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes about 70 cookies.