DAY 12: White Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Cookies
A Christmas cookie with a sophisticated taste. Dried cherries, chopped pistachios and drizzled with melted white chocolate. Save these for the grown-up table.
RECIPE:
White Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Cookies
—————-(adapted from Haute Apple Pie)
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
3 ¼ C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt (increase to 1 tsp if pistachios are unsalted)
¾ cup shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
¾ cup dried cherries (or cranberries)
½ cup white chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips + 1 tsp shortening for drizzling
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a mixer bowl, beat butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla and almond extracts.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to mixing bowl and beat just until combined. Mix in cherries (snip cherries in half with scissors if they are large), pistachios and ½ cup white chocolate chips.
Use a cookie scoop to scoop dough onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Place remaining 1 cup white chocolate chips and shortening in a Ziploc bag. Microwave for about 45 seconds. Knead bag with hands to melt chips. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in one corner of the bag. Drizzle chocolate over cooled cookies.
Makes about 4 dozen
