Pistachio Cherry Meltaways
User Reviews
4.7
Pistachio Cherry Meltaways
Description
These meltaways start by creaming softened butter with powdered sugar, pistachio pudding mix, and flour, forming a slightly dry dough that comes together as it is beaten. Almond extract adds fragrant nuttiness, and green food coloring can be added for a vibrant appearance. The maraschino cherries are chopped finely and thoroughly dried to prevent color bleeding, then gently folded into the dough to maintain the pale color.
After chilling the dough to firm it, rounded tablespoons are baked until just set, resulting in delicate cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cherries provide occasional sweet notes contrasting the nutty base.
These cookies make a distinctive treat for gatherings or holidays, with a soft crumb and mild almond and pistachio flavors complemented by the fruity cherries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2/3 /3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (3.4 ounce) instant pistachio pudding mix package
- 1 2/3 /3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 /2 teaspoons almond extract
- green food coloring about 2 drops, optional
- 1/2 /2 cup maraschino cherries chopped finely
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, beat the butter until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, pudding mix, and flour. Mix until combined. The mixture may seem dry at first but will come together after beating.
- Add the almond extract and green food coloring if you want the cookies with a brighter green color.
- Finely chop the maraschino cherries. Using a paper towel pat the cherries removing all of the juice and excess liquid. You want to make sure you dry all of the red juice or you may turn your cookies a not so pretty color. Gently mix in the chopped cherries being careful not to overmix because the color will start to bleed.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes or until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Take a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Place cookie on the cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining dough.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet. Once completely cooled sprinkle or roll cookies with additional powdered sugar.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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