Best Pistachio Shortbread Recipe Epicuriouscom Recipes

CRANBERRY PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
• With the mixer on low speed mix in the flour, salt and orange zest until just combined. The dough will be thick.
• Stir in the chopped cranberries and pistachios.
• Place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper on the counter. Take 1/2 of the dough, place it on the sheet of wax paper and form it into a log shape about 1 to 1 1/2 inch (2-3 cm) in diameter. Roll up the log in wax paper and twist the ends. Really think of packing the log tightly as you form the log.
• Repeat the process with the 2nd half of the dough, so you end up with 2 logs.
• Place the logs in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or up to 3 days. Logs can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer container, then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325F (16FC) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or baking mats.
• Take 1 log out of the fridge at a time, unwrap the log and slice into cookies about 1/4 - 1/3 inch thick (about 0.5 cm).
• Place cookies 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet and bake for 14-17 minutes, or until the tops looks set and around the edges are starting to turn golden brown.

PISTACHIO, LEMON, AND VANILLA SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Combine all purpose flour, sugar, and semolina flour in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter, lemon peel, and vanilla. Using on/off turns, blend until coarse meal forms. Turn dough out into bowl. Add nuts and knead gently to combine. Press dough evenly over bottom of prepared pan. Using fork, pierce dough all over.
• Bake shortbread until pale brown in center and golden at edges, about 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Cut lengthwise into 4 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 6 squares. Cool completely in pan. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover tightly with foil; store at room temperature.)
• *Semolina flour, often labeled "pasta flour," is available at specialty foods stores, Italian markets, and some supermarkets.

SALTED PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Process pistachios in a food processor until finely ground. Remove 2 tablespoons and set aside.
• Add confectioners' sugar, butter and salt and pulse until well combined. Add flour and process until a slightly sticky dough forms (if your food processor is having trouble here, just dump dough out onto a counter or a bowl and mix by hand until no dry spots remain).
• Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan or tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick spray or softened butter and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper.
• Press dough into the pan into an even layer (you can use your hands, or use the bottom of a measuring cup to press dough into an even layer). Dust with confectioners' sugar and sprinkle with reserved 2 tablespoons ground pistachios and flaky salt.
• Bake until cookie is just golden around the edges and dough is baked through, 17 to 22 minutes.
• Once cookie is out of the oven, remove from springform or tart pan. Dust with more confectioners' sugar, if you like. Before it cools, slice cookie into 24 thin wedges (start by cutting the circle into quarters, then slice each quarter in half, then each half into thirds to get nice, thin triangles.
• Let cookies cool completely before transferring them (they will be soft and easily broken if moved before cooled).

PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in pistachios., Preheat oven to 300°. On a surface sprinkled with confectioners' sugar, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2-in. fluted round cookie cutter dusted with confectioners' sugar. Place cookies 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges begin to brown, 18-20 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., Spread preserves on bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. If desired, combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.

CAPPUCCINO PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Dissolve coffee in water in medium bowl. Stir in butter and powdered sugar Stir in flour and 1/2 cup of the nuts, using hands if necessary, until stiff dough forms.
• Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a ball. Pat each ball into 6-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick, on lightly floured surface. Cut each round into 16 wedges Arrange wedges about 1/2 inch apart with pointed ends toward center on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Place remaining 1/4 cup nuts in small dish Place white baking chips and shortening in small microwavable bowl Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 3 to 4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes, until mixture can be stirred smooth and is thin enough to drizzle. Dip 1 edge of each cookie into melted mixture, then into nuts. Place on waxed paper until coating is firm.

PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix flour, powdered sugar, and saslt in processor. Add butter, pistachios, egg yolk, and vanilla.
• Using on and off turns, mix until moist ball forms. Transfer dough to work surface. Divide dough in half. Form each half into 8 X 1 1/4" log (if dough is too soft, chill until firm, about 30 minutes). Wrap logs in plastic, refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. Can be made 5 days ahead, keep chilled.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Slice logs into 1/4" rounds, rolling log every few slices to retain round shape. Place rounds on ungreased baking sheets, spacing 1" apart.
• Bake shortbreads until barely golden, about 18 minutes. Cool shortbread on baking sheets.
• Store in airthight container at room temperature.