Pistachio Shortbread with Dark Chocolate
/This is what the perfect companion to a morning cup of coffee looks like. Flakey, buttery shortbread shaped into a stick for easy dipping. It would be a far cry to call these “wholesome” or “healthy” (especially with your morning coffee), unlike so many recipes on this blog. But they’re beautiful, delicious and just the festive treat I wanted this month. Happy baking season!
Pistachio Shortbread with Dark Chocolate
Yields: 24 | Active Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Beat together butter and sugar using and electric mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer will both work fine). When creamy, add vanilla and beat in.
- Sift together flour and salt. Add to butter mixture. Beat on low until a crumbly mixture forms. Continue to beat, adding 1 teaspoon of water at a time until a dough begins to come together. Dough will still be crumblely, but should stick together when pinched between two fingers.
- Roughly chop pistachios, and fold into batter.
- Shape dough into a disc, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment or a sil-pat.
- Roll cookie dough with a rolling pin to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into 1x3 inch rectangles, and place cut cookies on baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle with a few pinch of granulated sugar.
- Bake cookies for 20-25 minutes, until cookies just begin to turn golden. Place cookies on cooling rack.
- When cookies are completely cool, melt chocolate for dipping: place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring between every set to avoid burning. When chocolate is smooth, dip cookies: working one at a time, dip the cookies into the chocolate. Allow the access to run off, and then place on cooling rack. Optionally, sprinkle chocolate with finely chopped pistachios.
- Note: The amount of sugar in this recipe can be varied between 1/2 cup and 2/3 cups sugar. Use 1/2 cup if you prefer slightly less sweet desserts, of 2/3 cups for more traditionally sweet cookies.