For this recipe you can use either a food processor, stand mixer or by hand. In the bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, chopped pistachios (remove 1 tablespoon to sprinkle on the unbaked cookies set aside) and the salt, then add the butter and egg, pulse, beat with the flat beater or mix with a fork until combined.
On a lightly floured flat surface, form the dough into a ball, the dough should be soft but not sticky. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Remove the dough from the fridge and roll the dough into small golfball size balls, approximately 21, place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, lightly flatten (but not too much) each ball with the tongs of a fork and sprinkle with the remaining chopped pistachios.
Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C).
While the oven is pre-heating chill the cookies for about 15-20 minutes, then bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges (the bottom of the cookies should be lightly browned), let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for approximately 15 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Be sure to use a higher protein flour, at least 11%, my flour is about 12.5%, a low protein flour will cause the cookies to spread, and you want these cookies to be higher rather than flatter.I was able to find finely chopped skinned pistachios in the store, but if you can’t find them then you will have to chop them yourself. You can use either roasted and shelled salted or unsalted nuts. Place the whole pistachios in a blender or food processor and chop until finely chopped but not powder.If the dough won’t come together because it is too wet, then just add a little more flour, start with a tablespoon at a time.If the dough is too dry then add a little more butter, 1/2-1 tablespoon at a time until it comes together to form a compact dough.The cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a single layer separated with parchment paper, they will keep at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the fridge for 5-6 days. Be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving.The cookies can either be frozen baked or unbaked. Freeze baked cookies in a freezer safe container separated with parchment paper, they will keep for up to 3 month in the freezer. The cookies can be thawed in the refrigerator or at room temperature. You can also freeze the cookie dough or dough balls, freeze until firm on a cookie sheet then move to a freezer safe container, they will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw the frozen dough in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before baking.