Pistachio Cookies

Pistachio cookies are a true delight, perfect for dipping in tea or enjoyed as a snack. Here is the recipe to prepare them.

Ingredients

• 200 g of all-purpose flour
• 100 g of butter at room temperature
• 100 g of powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 100 g of unsalted pistachios
• 1 pinch of salt
• Granulated sugar to taste, for finishing

Preparation

1. Finely chop the pistachios in a mixer until you get a coarse flour, not too fine to keep some crunchiness in the cookies.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour with powdered sugar, pistachio flour, and salt.
3. Add the butter in pieces and start to work the ingredients with your fingertips until you get a sandy mixture.
4. Incorporate the egg and grated lemon zest, and work the dough until it becomes homogenous.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
6. Pre-heat the oven to 180 °C.
7. Take the dough and form walnut-sized balls, roll them in granulated sugar to coat them completely.
8. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, slightly flattening them, and making sure to leave some space between the cookies.
9. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden.
10. Let the pistachio cookies cool on a rack before serving.

Fun Facts

Pistachio is a much-loved ingredient in Italian confectionery, especially in Sicily, where the fruits of this tree are used in multiple sweet creations, such as the famous pistachio ice cream and marzipan sweets. Besides being delicious, pistachios are rich in antioxidants and good fats, contributing to a balanced diet.