PISTACHIO ORANGE DROPS

Pistachio Orange Drops image

Yield 72 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon grated fresh orange peel
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pistachio nut, divided
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and orange peel with electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in flour until well blended. Reserve 3 tablespoons pistachio nuts. Stir remainder into dough. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls into 1-inch balls. Arrange 1 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove to rack to cool. Melt chocolate and shortening in a small heavy saucepan over low heat; stir until smooth. Dip tops of cookies into chocolate mixture. Place cookies on rack; sprinkle with reserved nuts. Let stand until chocolate is set. Store in a cool place.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves