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Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

  Jump to Recipe |    42 Comments

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Tender and buttery Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

We recently shared a recipe for Pecan Sandies and were so thrilled with the texture and taste, we had to make them again using pistachios and just a few small tweaks.   I couldn’t resist making another version especially after I found a bag of pistachios hiding in the pantry.  As you know, nuts don’t last forever so of course it was the right thing to do.  I couldn’t wait to see how the little green pistachios looked against the tender buttery cookie dough with the sugary crust.  These Pistachio Shortbread Cookies were a big hit and barely lasted 24 hours.    Twenty-four cookies in 24 hours … you can do the math!  Just kidding!  We shared some … a few … maybe three 🙂

 

 

Pistachio Shortbread Cookies-1 Pistachio Shortbread Cookies-2

This dough is practically perfect in every way.  It’s not at all greasy, crumbly or sticky.  It rolls up beautifully and after a few hours in the refrigerator, all you have to do is slice and bake.  Look at all those vanilla beans!  The Pecan Sandies were brushed with a beaten egg yolk and rolled in Turbinado Sugar.  These cookies were brushed with a lightly beaten egg white and rolled in coarse white sugar for a lighter look.  Both processes work great for these cookies.

 

Tender and buttery Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

I would love to experiment with the dough as a crust in a small tart.  If the nuts are finely ground, this would be pretty easy to press into a pan.

 

 

Tender and buttery Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

It was hard but I resisted the urge to add chopped dried cherries or white chocolate chips.  The simple buttery cookies with vanilla beans and toasted nuts have more than enough flavor for me.

 

Tender and buttery Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

 

Please don’t forget to Pin to your favorite cookie board!

Tender and buttery Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

 

5 from 1 vote

Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Total Time: 33 mins
Yield: 24 cookies
Course: Cookie
Author: Tricia
PRINT RECIPE
A simple slice and bake shortbread cookie loaded with buttery flavor, vanilla beans and pistachios.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted pistachios, shelled
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons light colored coarse sugar, I used organic white coarse can sugar - regular granulated sugar would work great too

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla bean seeds, salt and vanilla to the butter and blend on medium low until combined.
  • Add the flour a little at a time and mix until incorporated.
  • Fold in the pistachios using a rubber spatula.
  • Place the dough on a large piece of parchment paper lightly dusted with flour. Form the dough into a log 12-inches long and about 1½ inches thick. Wrap the dough tightly in the parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • When ready to bake preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator to rest while preparing the egg wash.
  • Gently beat one egg white with 1/2 teaspoon water.
  • Lightly brush the entire log with the egg white then roll in the coarse sugar to coat.
  • Slice into ½-inch thick rounds and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom and set.
  • Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

 

Pecan Sandies-5

Pecan Sandies

 

Are you a shortbread fan?  I am a short-shortbread fan but I know tall people that like them too.  Hope you have a terrific weekend!  We have a little snow in the forecast if you can believe it.  As long as I don’t have to shovel any more snow I’m fine with it.  It won’t be long until we are talking about how hot it is outside!  Thanks so much for stopping by – and don’t forget to make these cookies soon 🙂

Tricia

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42 Comments

  1. Amy says

    September 1, 2020 at 7:03 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely fantastic. So delicious, everybody raves about them.
    I dip half each cookie in dark chocolate for an added touch. Yummy!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      September 1, 2020 at 7:16 am

      I LOVE that you dipped some of the cookies in chocolate Amy. I’m going to try that next time I make these. Thank you so much for the feedback and for trying the recipe 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  2. Ailenid says

    November 27, 2018 at 10:01 am

    They were amazing. I did swap the vainilla bean for orange zest and omit the salt since my pistacios were salted. Everyone at the house loved them and they were so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 28, 2018 at 8:11 am

      Thanks Ailenid – glad you enjoyed them. The orange zest sounds lovely!

      reply to this comment >
  3. Susan says

    April 12, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    Oh, my, my, my! Being a die-hard pistaschio and shortbread lover my mouth is watering over these, Tricia. I keep my pistachios in the freezer – makes them last so much longer and the really taste great right from the freezer too.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 13, 2016 at 7:55 am

      These cookies are for you Susan – I know you will love them!

      reply to this comment >
  4. cheri says

    April 10, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Hi Tricia, these cookies look scrumptious, love that you added vanilla bean. Sounds like is would make a great crust. Hope you are having a wonderful week-end.

    reply to this comment >
  5. 2 Sisters Recipes says

    April 10, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    What a delicious idea! Who doesn’t like shortbread cookies… and pistachio? … even better than ever! Thanks for an easy recipe to follow! Have a great weekend! 🙂

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 10, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks ladies 🙂 Easy recipes are often the best. The flavors don’t have to do battle for first place. Everybody wins 🙂 Have a great week!

      reply to this comment >
  6. Muna Kenny says

    April 10, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    When I was a little girl my Aunt used to bring me and my sisters Persian cookies, those cookies were delicate and perfumed with rose water, and looked exactly like your shortbread! So beautiful and elegant, as always 🙂

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 10, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      What a sweet memory Muna. I’ve never baked with rose water but have always been curious. You should try these! Have a lovely week.

      reply to this comment >
  7. Beth says

    April 10, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    Ooh … I love pistachios, and I love shortbread – I think I’d adore these cookies! (And I might even be tempted to add those dried cherries that you mentioned.)

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 10, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      I feel a new adaptation coming Beth! I think these cookies would be good with just about anything added or even plain. Hope you have a wonderful week – thanks for stopping by!

      reply to this comment >
  8. Dom says

    April 10, 2016 at 8:22 am

    I adore shortbread. I think it must be my favourite and I love cut cookies from a log like this, they just look so perfectly homemade! Love the pistachios too!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 10, 2016 at 8:33 am

      Thanks Dom. Sometimes the best cookies are the simple ones that take less effort. We LOVE these!

      reply to this comment >
  9. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef says

    April 9, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    I am a sucker for cookies like this and I love the idea of adding pistachio nuts .

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 10, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Hi Gerlinde! Hope your travels are going well. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip!

      reply to this comment >
  10. Mandy says

    April 8, 2016 at 2:36 am

    What decadent little morsels. Will have to make these for my pistachio loving Pete.
    Have a beautiful weekend.
    🙂 Mandy xo

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 8, 2016 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Mandy – hope you have a beautiful weekend too!

      reply to this comment >
  11. Mimi says

    April 7, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    I don’t make cookies for the most part (cause I would eat them all) but I might have to make an exception for this recipe. They’re beautiful, and when I catered, I always relied on refrigerated cookie dough because the cookies were more consistent. I made a similar recipe for a friend’s wedding with rose petals!!! The dough is so versatile – I’d be adding extra goodies to the pistachios, too!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks Mimi! Catering is super tough business – I admire all your hard work. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

      reply to this comment >
  12. Becky Green says

    April 7, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    I’m one of those tall people that like short-bread cookies! 😉 LOOOOVE the sugared edges of these cookies! 😉 SO PRETTY!!!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      I learned something new about you today Becky – I guess I can always look up to you 🙂 Have a great weekend!

      reply to this comment >
  13. Monique says

    April 7, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    They look perfect!
    For MOI.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      Perfect for me too Monique! Have a happy weekend.

      reply to this comment >
  14. Abbe @ This is How I Cook says

    April 7, 2016 at 3:30 pm

    Outstanding Tricia! As a matter of fact I just made your pecan version two days ago. I used half brown sugar and half powdered, switched to walnuts and added 1 1/2 T of walnut oil. No photos, unless you want an X-ray. Sent them home with Manservant’s assistant because they are way too dangerous! I’m sure this version is the same!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      What great adaptations Abbe! I bet the brown sugar was terrific. Thank you so much!

      reply to this comment >
  15. Chris Scheuer says

    April 7, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    I’m not sure how a few simple ingredients can be transformed into something so wonderful but shortbread cookies are on the top of my list of favorites. And adding pistachios is a wonderful idea and so pretty too!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:11 pm

      Isn’t that the truth Chris. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      reply to this comment >
  16. Monica says

    April 7, 2016 at 8:42 am

    So gorgeous! I love pistachios in everything, Tricia. Always seems like if a dessert has pistachios, it’s going to be a big hit. I can practically taste these cookies…

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you Monica! You really need to try these cookies – I think you would love them. Have a great weekend!

      reply to this comment >
  17. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    April 7, 2016 at 4:44 am

    They look sensational! I am saving this for my husband’s birthday!!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Thank you Angie! I know your husband will love them!

      reply to this comment >
  18. Sara says

    April 7, 2016 at 1:43 am

    I love pistachios and they are such an underutilized ingredient in baking. These cookies look absolutely amazing, I could definitely eat more than my share 😉

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Thank you Sara – and I could not agree more about pistachios. They are a beautiful nut and delicious too.

      reply to this comment >
  19. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

    April 6, 2016 at 11:05 pm

    These are some of my favorite cookies, I adore pistachios and always keep a bag around. I love your idea of making a tart crust with this dough 🙂

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 7:55 am

      I can’t wait to give it a try Sue – have a lovely weekend!

      reply to this comment >
  20. Liz says

    April 6, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    Oh, my. These look perfect! I adore pistachios and could eat them in record time, too. But those pecan sandies are calling my name, too! YUM!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 7:56 am

      They are both delicious cookies Liz – thanks for stopping by!

      reply to this comment >
  21. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    April 6, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    Shortbread cookies are my weakness. They are not safe around me!! Love these. Those pistachios are so pretty 🙂 Pinned!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 7, 2016 at 7:56 am

      I seem to have many weaknesses but agree that these kind of cookies are the best. Simple and satisfying!

      reply to this comment >

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