Description
These Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies are delightful buttery treats perfect for festive occasions. Featuring a tender crumb enriched with chopped pistachios and dried cranberries, these cookies are shaped into charming wreaths and lightly dusted with powdered sugar for a beautiful holiday presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup pistachios, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional for extra tenderness)
For Decoration:
- Additional pistachios, chopped
- Dried cranberries
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, then add the vanilla extract and mix well to combine.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and optional cornstarch, then gradually add this to the creamed mixture, mixing until a well-formed dough comes together.
- Add Nuts and Fruit: Fold in the finely chopped pistachios and chopped dried cranberries evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Take portions of dough and roll into small balls. Shape each ball into a wreath by making a hole in the center and smoothing the edges, or use a wreath-shaped cookie cutter for uniformity.
- Bake: Arrange the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Decorate with additional chopped pistachios and dried cranberries, then dust lightly with powdered sugar for a festive finish.
Notes
- Use the optional cornstarch for extra tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
- Utilize a cookie scoop to ensure cookies are uniform in size for even baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze for up to three months for longer storage.
- For a decadent variation, drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
