Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
02 - ¾ cup powdered sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 - Dash of salt
05 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
06 - ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries, chopped
07 - ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Beat the room temperature butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until combined.
02 - Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until combined. Don't overmix. The mixture will look crumbly.
03 - Mix in half a cup of chopped cranberries and half a cup of chopped pistachios. Save the remaining 2 tablespoons of each for topping. Knead the dough a few times with your hands until it comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 45 to 60 minutes.
04 - When ready to bake, heat your oven to 325 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
05 - Roll out the chilled dough to about a third of an inch thick.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining cranberries and pistachios on top of the rolled dough. Gently tap with your palms or roll lightly with a rolling pin to press them into the surface and create a flat layer. This makes the cookies look prettier, but you can skip this step if you prefer.
07 - Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. If the edges look crumbly from the cranberries and pistachios, gently shape them with your fingers.
08 - Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets with at least an inch of space between them. Bake at 325 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown. They might seem crumbly right out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.

# Notes:

01 - Adding some cranberries and pistachios on top makes the cookies look more festive
02 - The dough needs to be chilled or it will be too soft to cut cleanly
03 - Don't worry if they seem fragile when hot - they firm up as they cool
04 - You can use any cookie cutter shape you like
05 - Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week

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