Pistachio Melt Aways Recipes

Steps:

• In a food processor, grind together the pistachios with the confectioner's sugar and zest until the pistachios are very finely ground. Set aside.
• Combine the egg whites and salt in the bowl of a very clean and dry mixing bowl. Whisk with an electric mixer until the egg whites become foamy. Slowly add the superfine granulated sugar and beat on high until you get stiff, white peaks (this can take a few minutes). Set aside about one-quarter of the meringue mixture (just eyeball it). Fold the remaining meringue into the ground nut mixture until you've created a thick paste.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Sift a generous layer of confectioners' sugar onto a piece of parchment. Flatten the paste onto the parchment with your hands (spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to keep the paste from sticking to your hands). Sift a generous layer of confectioners' sugar on top of the paste and top with another piece of parchment. Roll to about 1/4 inch thick.
• Using a 2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter (dipped in confectioners' sugar to keep the cutter from sticking), stamp out the stars and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet an inch or so apart (the cookies don't spread, so there's not much worry). Using a small offset spatula, smear the tops of each star with a light layer of the reserved meringue. Continue with the rest of the cookies and a second parchment-lined cookie sheet.
• Bake until the meringue just begins to brown, about 15 minutes. The cookies should be light and chewy, not hard and crunchy.

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Pulse the pistachios and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground and powdery. Sift with the flour and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar and the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the pistachio mixture and beat until completely incorporated.
• Fill a cookie press with the dough according to the manufacturer's instructions. Press cookies about 1 1/2 inches apart onto 2 ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until set and golden around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Steps:

• In large bowl blend sugar, butter, shortening, almond extract, eggs, pudding mix, and food color.
• Add flour, soda and salt. Mix well.
• Chill for 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 375. Shape into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheets leaving 2 inches between coookies. Bake 8 - 10 minutes Immediately remove from sheets and cool on racks.
• Preparation time includes chill time.