Chocolate Pecan Chewies

5 dozen cookies

1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla extract
60 pecan halves (optional)

Combine condensed milk, chocolate chips and butter in a heavy saucepan. 

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate and butter melt. Remove from heat.

Stir in flour, chopped pecans, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Press a pecan half into the center of each cookie (optional.) 

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 7 minutes. (Do not over bake.) 

Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

Bake ahead and freeze...will keep up to 3 months!