Cocoa, pecans and cinnamon: These Creole praline cookies are packed with dessert-worthy flavors

These cookies date back to when I was an undergrad in college working part-time as a runner in a large law firm. She had a very pronounced New Orleans accent that she said was called "Yat," explaining that the name came from the phrase, "Where are you at?" We talked about the history of New Orleans — about how different it was from other southern cities, about its French and Spanish heritage, and how Creole and Cajun are very distinct and different, referring to completely different people coming into Louisiana/New Orleans at completely different times. New cultures and cuisines were born, particularly in busy port cities like New York City, Mobile and New Orleans where Spanish, French and other Europeans were making their way among those already there. Creole Praline Cookies Yields 36 cookies Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 12-15 minutes