California Walnuts - www.walnuts.org

1. Per-heat oven to 350°

2. Toast walnuts (350 degree preheated oven in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for 8-10 minutes)

3. Place the walnuts in a food processor or blender and "pulse" blend for 10 seconds at a time for about 1 minute. Add canola oil and salt. Blend on high an additional 3 minutes (stopping every minute to push mixture back down) or until you reach a desired consistency. This will make approximately 1 cup of walnut butter.

4. Mix walnut butter with remaining ingredients, blending well to form your cookie dough.

5. Place batter in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minuets.

6. Using a small cookie scoop form balls and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet leaving space between each cookie, using a spoon press the dough down to form a small round disk and add a walnut half into the center of each cookie

7. Bake cookies at 350° for 8 to 10 minuets or until edges are golden brown.

8. Remove cookie sheet from oven, do not try and remove the cookies from the baking sheet at this time. Let the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minuets then carefully slide the parchment paper (and cookies) onto the counter and let them to rest for an additional 10 to 15 minuets before removing.