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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies



I stayed home today!  Yucky weather from Hurricane Sandy
made it cold, damp and very windy.  
We had a little snow this morning!

Our furnace broke down, so I decided today would be a good
day to get that first batch of cookies in the freezer for
Christmas.  At least the oven would warm me up!
As I mentioned before, I'm very loosely following the
organizedchristmas.com guide for getting yourself ready
for Christmas before December comes, so you can
actually enjoy December.  Well, the plan this week
is to book travel flights and things that I don't need to
do.  I thought getting cookies in the freezer would be fun!

 Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies were my first
choice!  You just mix up the dough, roll in logs and chill.




Then you slice and bake!  Very easy!
And I like the red and green ~ perfect for the holidays!


Jack was entertained at the window all day.  With the snowflakes,
birds and blowing leaves, he didn't know where to look first!


Some of my drawing are in my Etsy shop in the form of
Christmas cards, if you are interested! 


Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c shelled pistachios

Mix butter with sugar and vanilla.
Mix in flour and salt.

Stir in cranberries and pistachios.

Roll into 3 logs and chill 30 minutes.

Slice 1/4 " thick.  Bake at 325 for 18-20 minutes
until barely golden on the edges.





47 comments:

  1. perfect christmas cookies! and I bet they are perfect with tea or coffee! sorry about the furnace! I was cold all day too, but then I'll probably be cold from now till April. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, how are you? You were closer to all of that than we were!

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    2. Gratefully, we are none the worse for wear right here. The electricity didn't even blink.

      I may have to bake some of those pretty cookies for gifts!

      Delete
    3. Oh, that's great! Did you get any snow?

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    4. Nope no snow, sadly. Just cold rain and some winds during the night.

      Delete
  2. I'm so insanely jealous that you had snow. Not jealous of your furnace issues tho.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was coming down in big fluffy flakes this morning! You know I love snow, but it seemed a little early. ha. And it's gone now...turned to rain.

      Delete
  3. These cookies look amazing and beauty I love cranberries and pistachios betsy!!
    I smile with Jack I think all is new to him so he enjoy looking at the window LOL
    And you had some snow! Is increible
    Here is so hot today you know I love more autumn and winter LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, his first snow! But it didn't stick enough for him to play in. ha.

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    2. oh dear! he doesnt know what is yet! he is so little, love the cookies color, what lovely are the pistachios didn't??

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    3. yes, I love pistachios! they taste nice in the cookies, too!

      Delete
  4. The cookies looks so festive! What a perfect thing to do while you are stuck inside waiting for the repairman. I'll check out the Christmas website!

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it was perfect! I feel so...so..organized. lol...

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  5. oo i hope the furnace is not too much to fix...those are not cheap...but not a bad way to keep warm at all....def nice color in the cookies...i like my cookies crisp...smiles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It needs a new defrosting switch. Hmm...doesn't sound too ominous.

      Delete
  6. Ugg to the furnace going kaput at your sea
    Two more things are next as you always say it goes to three
    I won't guess this time though
    Might make your coffee once again not flow
    Then how would you be ready by December at your zoo
    Flights you say, you going some place where no crummy snow comes due? haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Two more things will break!
      Who knows what fate will take!
      Hope it's not my coffee, though
      or I won't be able to go!
      And no trips for us at all
      that is just what the site gave a call
      and since I don't need tickets
      I baked cookies lickety splicket.
      lol...

      Delete
    2. Well maybe the site
      Is shouting out into the night
      And telling you to take a trip
      And a coffee pot beats a hip

      Delete
    3. If I fall and hurt my hip
      I'm going to give you some lip!

      Telling me to take a trip
      without paying the cost is a rip!
      Hey, what happened to the Boston plan?
      It fell apart before it made land.
      hahaha maybe in 2013,..or 14. ha.

      Delete
  7. Two of my favorite ingredients in these cookies. Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look so good...I'll have to change to dairy free and gluten free but I think it will work and I LOVE the freezer cookie idea. I'm pinning! :)

    Rita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rita! I hope it works for you with the changes! I've been guilty of getting a head start before and then started feelings smug and let things go and still fell behind...then add some snow days and sick kids into the last week and things can go crazy really fast! ha. I'm determined to stick with a schedule this time! ha.

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  9. LOVE pistachios AND cranberries, so this combination sounds fantastic!! AND, it is Christmas-y colors!! Thank you. Our furnace was out too!! They have worked on it for two days and finally at 6: 40 they got it running, but still have to come back tomorrow and replace something they did temporarily (and it is only three years old)! Hope you are enjoying a working furnace now; I'm sure it is colder where you are!! blessings ~ tanna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You, too? Well, ours needs a part that isn't in stock. It's in the 30's here with strong winds from Sandy. Hopefully tomorrow! Stay warm!

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  10. Oh I think these are so festive!! And I will copy your recipe and give them a try this year. Tired of making the same "three" cookies all the time.

    When Don's 75th BD Party is over, (Saturday) and the dust clears... I will get my "Pre Christmas" Schedule going. I really want to freeze a lot this year and get a jump ahead. I will miss using Aunt Trula's big freezer. Her house is in escrow, and the freezer will be gone. Guess I will just have to organize my little one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope your birthday celebrations are fun this weekend! Can't wait to hear about it! :) Oh, you will miss that freezer! Yes, being extra organized should do it!

      Delete
  11. beautiful cards and beautiful cookies, love the combo, I also love Jack, ( I do say love a lot) I love Christmas as well!!!I certainly am not as organized as you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well, I'm trying! My gift basket business takes 2-3 weeks away from everything right at the end of November, so I'm trying to get ahead this time!

      Delete
  12. Great photos of the birds, Betsy...
    Those shortbread look pretty good, too..
    I do mine in the food processor...
    Guess I'll start weeding thru the Christmas stuff...once tomorrow night is over with!!!
    Glad you are all safe and sound...

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you guys already have Thanksgiving over with! How nice! ha. Why don't we do that???

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  13. Oh wow!!!! Beautiful cookies and beautiful birds!!! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, kitty...it was a nice day to bake and watch birds! ha.

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  14. I simply adore this post. I'm making those cookies and freezing them. Christmas is looming large all of a sudden. I will have 14 people in my house. Yesterday, one of my brothers asked if he could fly into Houston and pop in with his 2 girls for a visit. I adore those cards. You know, my entire Xmas table is based on "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I am heading over to your shop! P.S. I love the photo of the cat looking out at the falling snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you will have a nice crowd! Yes, I'd say it's better to get things baked and in the freezer. Less stress at the end when it's crunch time! I'd love to be in your home for the holidays. I know it is just lovely! I don't have a card for each of the 12 days, but that is an idea~ I should work on that for next year!

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  15. Once again - you WOWed us with awesome photos. I'm not sure this recipe would interest me...though I LOVE shortbread cookies...but since it's from you, I just may have to try it. Thanks for inspiring us to get started early. Hopefully our weather is a tad calmer the rest of the week! Hugs from NW Ohio. XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. so, what doesn't appeal to you..pistachios or cranberries? ;)

      yes, our weather was calmer too..the wind is gone although the cold rain remains!

      Delete
  16. Betsy, is it possible to print your "12 Days of Christmas Cards" on placecard size sheets? I am looking for placecards for my Xmas table.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aw, no, I'm sorry I don't have all 12 days~! But what a great idea~ I'll have to do that next year~ I bet if you looked online you could find some!

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  17. Wonderful photos...those cookies look delicious, loving the red and green.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Mister was disappointed all of the cookies were in the freezer by the time he got home! ha.

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  18. Just home from work, hungry for my supper - and what do I spy but shortbread cookies! I'm even hungrier now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha...and they are so good, too! I had to freeze them right away so I wouldn't nibble a dozen away! ha.

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  19. Hi Betsy .. the shortbread biscuits look particularly good - mind you, your photos are much better! Love them .. had to do my Christmas cards early this year ... must remember yours for next year ...

    Hope the furnace is repaired soon - and snow - yugh .. but you're safe and that's the main thing .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. look at you with your Christmas cards already done before Halloween~ wow! :)

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  20. Dear Betsy, love the way you spend your day and the shortbread looks yummy.;) No snow here yet but we have had frost.;) Have a nice weekend,
    xoxo

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  21. Cranberries and pistachios? Now there's a mix I'd enjoy!

    ReplyDelete

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