Cherry-Pistachio Cookies
Cookies and Bars Recipes
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 40 minutes
Yield: about 4 dozen cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, separated
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup pistachio nuts, roughly chopped
- 1 8-ounce container candied red cherries, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup coarse or sanding sugar
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Beat in egg yolk; mix well. Add flour and pistachios; blend on low speed until just combined. Remove dough from mixer and, with a strong spoon or your hands, mix in cherries. Divide dough in half and roll each piece into a log about 12 inches long; wrap in plastic and chill overnight.
Adjust the oven rack to the center shelf and preheat to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (or grease lightly); set aside. Pour coarse sugar onto a piece of waxed paper or aluminum foil. Lightly brush egg white over the surface of the log; press and roll log into sugar; transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice log in 1/2-inch slices; transfer to cookie sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Cool completely and store in an airtight container or freeze.
Comments
Allow time to chill.
Reviews by Readers
I just made these for our community cookie exchange and everyone loved them. They were easy to make, but since I couldn't find coarse or sanding sugar I used granulated and it seemed to work out fine. A delicious butter cookie, very pretty with red and green accents. Anne from CT – Anonymous Review
Even with the dreaded fruitcake style cherries this is a great cookie! All who tasted it wanted the recipe. – Reviewed by Laurence Byrne
These are incredibly good cookies. Although the dough seems to fall apart when preparing, they do roll and cut quite easily. I, like another of your readers, tried substituting cranberries and added almonds. Mmmmm. – Anonymous Review
I made these cookies in Christmas 2004 when the recipe was first published, as well as this Christmas 2008. The cookies have a different, warm, nutty flavor enhanced by the pistachios. The candied cherries are a great addition and don't make it overly sweet. I used both green and red candied cherries, and chopped the pistachio small. I used green and red sanding sugars to roll the logs in, then cut the logs into cookies using a sharp knife. They were festive as well as delicious. – Anonymous Review
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