If I had to pick two cookies that are perfect for the Christmas holiday, it would be wedding cookies and these cranberry pistachio shortbreads. Both use the same basic dough, so you can double the recipe and make both cookies.
I really like these cookies because they’re not overly sweet. However, I wouldn’t put these cookies in the health food category! I think referring to these cookies as buttery is a slight understatement. They do have two sticks of butter, but that’s a good thing, right?
I think you’ll enjoy these cookies as an addition to your spread of holiday treats.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 pistachios, roasted and unsalted
Instructions
1. Cream butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until well combined. Add vanilla extract and mix to combine.
2. Whisk salt and flour together and add to butter mixture in batches, mixing well. Add cranberries and pistacios, mixing until well incorporated.
3. Divide dough into 2 portions. Roll each portion into a 10 to 11 inch log. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
5. Slice dough logs into 1/4 inch rounds and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a rack.
https://southernboydishes.com/2013/12/20/cranberry-pistachio-shortbreads/
Bill Harris
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Nico says
January 8, 2014 at 12:20 pmWOW! I just love shortbread. Made some from an old trusted recipe for stocking fillers. I love the combination of the cranberry and pistachios. Love the blog!
mjskit says
December 24, 2013 at 2:40 amThis cookie monster is drooling right now!!!
Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!!!
shashi @ https://runninsrilankan.com says
December 23, 2013 at 1:11 pmGorgeous looking cookies Bill! And love the flavor combo of cranberries and pistachiosin a shortbread cookie!
waharris1957 says
December 23, 2013 at 3:01 pmI appreciate your visit, Shashi!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
December 22, 2013 at 10:15 pmButter cookies are never disappointing, love this version. So pretty.
Happy Holidays!!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
December 22, 2013 at 7:51 pmButter is always a good thing! And the more the better (hope my doctor isn’t reading this!). I’ll eat any and all cookies, but have a real weakness for shortbread. These look wonderful – thanks. I hope your holidays are most excellent.
waharris1957 says
December 22, 2013 at 9:07 pmI’m with you, John. You can’t have too much butter in my book! Thanks for your visit!
Kathi @ Laughingspatula.com says
December 22, 2013 at 4:35 pmI am also not a big fan of overly sweet stuff…more of a savory girl… I think these fit the bill perfectly! I wonder if you could do a savory version? Rosemary? Would that be good or gross??
waharris1957 says
December 22, 2013 at 9:06 pmThat’s a real interesting idea, Kathi! I think a rosemary (and maybe a little parmesan cheese) sounds wonderful. Let me know if you try it and how it turns out! Thanks for dropping by and happy holidays to you and your family!
Foodiewife says
December 22, 2013 at 3:23 amThese are really festive cookies. Gotta love shortbread. I agree with Sam. It’s a beautiful photo, indeed.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
December 21, 2013 at 12:04 pmWow, such an impressive photo. It makes me want to dive right in and help myself. Love the combination of light green pistachios and dark red cranberries.
Sam
waharris1957 says
December 21, 2013 at 2:04 pmThank you, Sam! I appreciate your visit to SBD. Happy holidays to you and your family!