Orange Pistachio Cookies

Name: Orange Pistachio Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 4-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 tablespoon grated orange zest; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1/2 cup pistachios, toasted and finely chopped; ICING:; 2-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1 tablespoon butter, melted; Additional pistachios, toasted and finely chopped, optional

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling YIELD: about 4-1/2 dozen.

I had never tried pistachios until I visited a friend who served me these cookies. I was in love! I made the recipe my own, and now my family can't get enough of them. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup pistachios, toasted and finely chopped
ICING:
2-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Additional pistachios, toasted and finely chopped, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg, orange zest and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
2. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion roughly into a 7-in. roll along the long end of a 14x8-in. sheet of waxed paper. Tightly roll waxed paper over dough, using the waxed paper to mold the dough into a smooth roll. Place waxed paper-covered roll in an airtight container; freeze 30 minutes or until firm, or refrigerate overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°. Let dough stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Sprinkle pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet. Unwrap and roll each roll of dough in pistachios. Cut dough crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 1/2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 6-8 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Cool slightly on pan. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, orange juice and butter until smooth. Spread over cookies. If desired, sprinkle with additional pistachios. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 83 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 27mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.