Description
Delightfully festive Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies, combining tender buttery dough with crunchy pistachios and sweet dried cranberries. These charming cookies are shaped like wreaths and dusted with powdered sugar for a perfect holiday treat.
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 the 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 butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add vanilla extract and mix well to combine flavors.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and optional cornstarch. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Add nuts and fruit: Fold in the finely chopped pistachios and dried cranberries evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape cookies: Shape the dough into small balls, then form wreaths by poking a hole in the center of each ball and smoothing the edges to create a ring shape. Alternatively, use a wreath-shaped cookie cutter for uniformity.
- Bake cookies: Arrange the wreath-shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and decorate: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate by sprinkling chopped pistachios and dried cranberries on top, then dust with powdered sugar for a festive finish.
Notes
- Using the optional cornstarch creates a more tender cookie texture.
- For even baking, make cookies uniform in size by using a cookie scoop.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week, or freeze them for up to three months.
- For an indulgent variation, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted white chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
