Chocolate Pistachio Heart Cookies

Vary the shape of these chocolate-dipped cookies depending on the season.

Ingredients:

• 2/3  cup packed brown sugar
• 1   cup butter
• 1   teaspoon vanilla
• 1   beaten egg
• 2 1/4  cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4  cup finely chopped pistachio nuts
• 3/4  cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1   tablespoon shortening
• 1/2  cup ground pistachio nuts

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan combine the butter and brown sugar. Heat and stir over low heat until butter is melted. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool mixture 15 minutes. Stir in beaten egg, flour, and cocoa powder until combined. Stir in the 3/4 cup pistachio nuts. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill about 30 minutes or until dough is easy to handle.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch heart-shape cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Place cookies 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 9 minutes or until edges are firm. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.

4. In a small heavy saucepan heat and stir chocolate pieces and shortening over low heat until melted. Remove from heat. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate mixture; roll edges of cookie in ground pistachio nuts. Makes about 48 cookies.

 

Source:  bhg.com