Cardamom Pistachio Shortbread Cookies Recipe

By
Anita Schecter
Anita Schecter_BW
Anita Schecter
Professional recipe developer, food photographer, and blogger with more than a decade of experience creating Middle Eastern recipes.
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Updated on 06/1/22
Cardamom Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

The Spruce / Anita Schecter
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 22 mins
Refrigerate: 60 mins
Total: 97 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
721 Calories
59g Fat
46g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 721
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 59g 76%
Saturated Fat 32g 160%
Cholesterol 130mg 43%
Sodium 361mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Protein 6g
Calcium 83mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Shortbread is originally a Scottish butter cookie but has been adapted to different cultures and cuisines by the addition of spices, oils, and nuts. The Middle Eastern version, called Ghoraibi, is frequently spiced with cardamom, scented with a bit of rosewater or topped with almonds.

Pistachios, however, are a classic Middle Eastern nut and make a lovely addition to this dessert. The dough is easy and quick to put together, uses a minimum of ingredients and doesn't spread when baking. The scent of cardamom rises up from the otherwise plain dough and the extra crunch of nuts goes will with the cookie's smooth texture. The final result is a buttery, slightly crumbly treat that's perfect with a pot of coffee or tea.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 cup pistachios (chopped, divided)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Add the butter and sugar to a bowl and, using a stand or hand mixer, cream together. Mix in the vanilla and milk.

  3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and cardamom. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet and fold in half the chopped pistachios. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour.

  4. When ready to make the cookies, pre-heat the oven to 350 F.

  5. Roll the dough out on a floured surface till it's approximately an 8 inch circle. Use a 2 1/2 inch cookie or biscuit cutter to cut out rounds.

  6. Place the remainder of the chopped pistachios in a bowl and gently dip the edges of the rounds into the nuts.

  7. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 to 22 minutes.

  8. After baking, allow the cookies to cool and firm up before removing them from the baking sheet.

  9. Serve and enjoy!