Name: Walnut Thins
Cook time: 1 hr
Total time: 1 hr
Yield: Makes about 80 small cookies
Ingredients: 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened; 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup walnuts (4 ounces), minced, lightly toasted , and cooled

Over the past century, pecans have become closely associated with the South. However, walnuts were actually the pecan's predecessor in the Low Country, and were far more popular in earlier times.

Cooks' note:

Cookies can be made 2 days ahead and kept, layered between sheets of wax paper, in an airtight container at room temperature.

Recipe notes

Mississippi Mud Cake

This cake was created from thrift and was supposedly named after its appearance, which reminded people of the muddy Mississippi River bottom.

Palets Bretons

Palets bretons are oversize cookies that feature butter, and because they’re from Brittany, they’re traditionally made with beurre salé, salted butter.