pistachio butter cookies

i love cookies, who doesn't? and i love baking cookies cuz they are super easy. except when some domestic diva ruined this traditional ease with her paper towel tube obsession (or is it my obsession to whine about it now? okay, rant over).

this was the third of three desserts for last weekend's supper with friends. i just baked off the second roll this morning. still delicious!


pistachio butter cookies: makes 5 dozen
from martha's baking handbook (2005, p. 101)

2 stick butter, room temp
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
4 oz (1/2 cup) pistachios, finely chopped and dust sifted out
1/2 cup sanding sugar for rolling

1. beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, abut 3 minutes. add egg and vanilla and beat to combine. add flour, nuts, and salt; mix on low speed until combined.

2. turn out dough on work surface. divide in half and roll each piece into a log about 1 1/2-inch diameter. wrap in parchment paper, making sure to cover ends completely. refrigerate 1 hour to overnight.

3. preheat oven to 350F. line two baking sheets with parchment. let dough stand at room temp until soft enough to slice, about 10 minutes. roll dough logs in sanding sugar to coat. slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. bake, rotating halfway through, until golden round around edges, about 15-20 minutes. transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.