Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies
12
I first saw these cookies when I was perusing Gourmet Magazine’s Favorite Cookies 1941-2008. They were the 2006 favorite and they immediately appealed to me because they were so pretty and (more importantly) contained two of my favorite things: pistachios and cranberries. If I’m being honest, I like dried cherries far better than dried cranberries, but who has that kind of money? Not me, especially because I have no control over dried cherries and could easily take down $30 worth while watching television.
At any rate, I also liked these because they are essentially shortbread cookies. Shortbread is one of my favorite things. It’s so simple and easy to put together, and the end result is so gratifying–crumbly, buttery bites of slightly sweet deliciousness. The colors in this cookie are very Christmasy, so I figured this would be a great time of year to make them.
Mine aren’t quite as pretty as the picture, but I blame some of the spreading on my oven. Because, I can’t blame myself, alright? I made the dough for these two days before I baked them, and I crushed the pistachios just a bit–a few blitzes in the food processor–before adding them so I wouldn’t run into any slicing issues. I had no issues with slicing whatsoever.
Umm…I apologize for the slightly scary green backdrop of these cookies. Considering I was photographing/packing goodie boxes up around midnight, it’s safe to say I did not spend much time photographing and reviewing my photographs.
I’m a little too tired to retype the recipe, and considering the only change I made was to use turbinado sugar instead of decorating (because the only decorating sugar at either store I went to was bright yellow), I will just direct you right to the recipe over on Gourmet’s site.
I definitely recommend these cookies. They have a great taste and texture and are incredibly easy to put together and make in advance–essential for times like this when you are doing a lot of baking!
Pistachios and cranberries!!! I love cranberries as well and they look so festive with green and red inside.
They look great Elly! They certainly have Xmas written all over them!
Elly, these cookies look delicious and so appropriate for the holidays. All the best to you and yours.
Lovely Christmassy colors and I am sure the biscuits tasted as delicious!
Great photos again! Can I come over for Christmas now that I found you again? 🙂 I’ve been considering moving too, since Vox is really rather “independent”. Hard work is involved though. I’m really glad that I found you again.
I love shortbread cookies because I can’t mess them up!
These look really great. Pretty holiday cookie that packs a lot of flavor. And I think they look just as beautiful as the magazine’s. Happy holidays!
Elly, those are gorgeous!
Happy Holidays to you and the family!
I love this type of cookie with alot going on and visible.
My mom made cookies similar to these this year and they are wonderful with coffee. Come to think of it, they are wonderful solo too!
i’ve seen this flavor combo on other sites and it looks like a winner!
Red and green, very festive. Plus they have two flavors that I love.