Pistachio Cardamom Butter Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a multi-cavity cookie tray (e.g. mini muffin tray, a muffin-top tray or a hemisphere pan) with the 1 tablespoon butter and set aside to chill.
• Combine the warm milk with the saffron threads, stir and set aside for 5 minutes until the saffron threads begin to bloom and the milk takes on a golden hue.
• Cream the remaining 1/2 cup butter with the granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until the butter is soft and the sugar has melted in. Add the crushed cardamom pods, finely chopped pistachios, the saffron milk with the saffron threads and a pinch of grated nutmeg if using and the pandanus water. Mix until well combined. Slowly add in the all-purpose flour and salt and mix well again. The mixture will be sandy in texture. Use a spatula to break up any lumps and stir it all until well combined and there are no dry spots.
• Portion the cookie mixture using an ice cream scoop and scoop it directly into the prepared chilled cookie tray. Lightly compress the mixture into the cavity using the back of a spoon. Fill each cavity to the top as these cookies will not rise. Chill any unused cookie mixture between bakes.
• Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown. The cookies do not change color or rise during baking. Carefully unmold from the cookie tray. Place them on a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in a cool place until ready to decorate.
• To decorate: Arrange the cookies on a wire rack with a drip pan or cookie sheet underneath.
• Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Place the melting white chocolate wafers in a heatproof bowl over the simmering water. The bottom of the bowl must not touch the water. Maintain a slow simmer and do not let the water boil. Using a silicone spatula, stir until the chocolate is melted. Quickly stir in one pinch of saffron threads while the chocolate is warm.
• Carefully pour the white chocolate over the cookies or dunk cookies into the chocolate. Alternatively, use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over each cookie. Sprinkle the pistachio slivers, gold dust or sprinkles and more saffron threads before the chocolate hardens. Cool completely.
• Serve when the chocolate is firm.
• Store in a cool, airtight container for up to a week.

Steps:

• Remove the seeds from the cardamom pods and finely crush them in a pestle and mortar.
• Tip the nuts into a food processor, add the crushed cardamom, maple syrup and salt. Blend for 7-8 mins, until you're left with a smooth nut butter, to loosen the consistency, add a drizzle of oil and blend again.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and set 2 racks at the upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine the pistachios, granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, salt, and cardamom. Process until the pistachios are the texture of fine sand and there are no visible pieces of pistachio left, 60 to 90 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Mix with a rubber spatula until a thick, paste-like dough forms.
• Using a medium 1¾-inch (#40) cookie scoop or 2 tablespoons, portion out the dough and roll into balls. (The dough will be sticky, so don't fret if they are not perfect balls.) Place the dough balls at least 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets (8 per sheet).
• Bake both sheets at the same time, swapping the top sheet to the bottom rack and bottom sheet to the top midway through baking, until the tops of the cookies crack and the bottoms are just starting to brown, 12 to 14 minutes. (Don't overbake the cookies. They aren't the kind of cookie that browns that much on the top. It's best to err on the side of underbaking for this recipe.) Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets before removing with an offset spatula.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cardamom, and salt.
• In a food processor, combine the granulated sugar and ½ cup (65 g) pistachios. Process until finely ground. Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• Add the butter to the stand mixer bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth, 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the egg and vanilla and beat until almost combined. Add the flour mixture and continue to mix on medium-low speed just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into 2 portions and shape into discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Working with 1 portion at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to ⅛ inch thick. Using a 2 ⅝-inch (6-cm) scalloped-edge cutter, cut out cookies, then transfer to the prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Re-roll the scraps to cut out more cookies. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Arrange the oven racks in the top and bottom third positions. Preheat to 350°F (180°C).
• Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets 180° and swapping top to bottom halfway through, until the cookies have set, 12-14 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Combine the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl and stir until smooth; the icing will be thick.
• Using an offset spatula, spread the icing evenly over cookies, all the way to the edges. Return to the rack and immediately sprinkle the finely crushed pistachios and rose petals, if using, on top. Let sit until dry to the touch, 20 more minutes.
• Enjoy!