Description
Delight in these buttery Orange Pistachio Shortbread Cookies, featuring a tender, crumbly texture infused with fragrant orange zest and crunchy pistachios. Perfect as a gift or a sweet treat for any occasion, these cookies combine classic shortbread richness with a refreshing citrus twist and nutty crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup rice flour
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- 2 cups unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 ¼ cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ¼ cup pistachios (roughly chopped)
For Rolling
- ¼ cup pistachios (finely chopped for rolling edges of cookie)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the all purpose flour, rice flour, and sea salt, mixing well to ensure even distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the confectioners sugar and beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Flour Mixture: Gradually add the flour mixture in two batches, mixing on low speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a dough.
- Shape Dough: Lightly flour a surface and shape the dough into a wide log. Cut this log into three equal pieces for individual batches.
- Add Flavorings: Incorporate the orange zest and roughly chopped pistachios into one of the dough logs by gently kneading the dough with your hands until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Chill Dough: Roll the flavored dough into a log shape, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or waxed paper, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours, until firm and easier to slice.
- Prepare Cookies for Baking: Before slicing, roll the edges of the log in the finely chopped pistachios to coat the sides. Cut the log into ¼-inch thick slices to form individual cookies.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the cookie slices 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Stack in groups of five and wrap with twine or ribbon if gifting, or simply enjoy fresh at home.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to help the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- You can make three different flavored batches by varying the add-ins for each dough log.
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and better texture.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a gluten-free variation, ensure the all purpose flour is replaced with a gluten-free blend rather than just rice flour.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: shortbread cookies, orange zest cookies, pistachio cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies, homemade cookies, gift cookies
