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Chewy Brown Butter Pistachio Shortbread Cookies with Orange Zest

Close-up of several chewy Pistachio Cookies dusted with powdered sugar and topped with chopped green pistachios.
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Make chewy shortbread cookies featuring the rich flavor of brown butter and bright orange zest, studded with chopped pistachios.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 large orange

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the butter foams, then brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Immediately pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl and let it cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
  3. Add the slightly cooled brown butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
  4. Fold in the finely chopped pistachios until evenly distributed.
  5. Shape the dough into a log about 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Slice the chilled dough log into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between them.
  8. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look soft.
  9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Notes

  • Use raw, unsalted pistachios for the best flavor control. Toasting them lightly before chopping can intensify the nuttiness.
  • For a more vibrant green color, you can add 1-2 drops of green food coloring to the dough when adding the vanilla extract.
  • If you prefer a softer cookie, slightly underbake them by 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savoryskies.com/pistachio-cookies-brown-butter-shortbread/