Pistachio Pudding Cookies

After seeing that commercial I need a cookie!...Funny. Soft and chewy, and a festive green! These Pistachio Pudding Cookies are excellent for cookie swapping! A holiday favorite recipe.

Serves: 36 cookies Total Time: 20

Ingredients

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg
1¾ cups all purpose flour
1 (3 ounce) package pistachio instant pudding mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups shelled chopped pistachios or walnuts
2-3 drops green food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and beat until just combined.
3. Mix in the flour, pudding mix, baking powder, and salt. Continue mixing until the dough *just* comes together.
4. Stir in the chopped pistachios and the food coloring until the color is distributed evenly.
5. About a tablespoon at a time, portion the dough out onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 2" apart.
6. Bake for 9-11 mins (10 is always perfect for me). Your cookies might look slightly under-cooked - it's ok!!! They are done. Over baking takes away the chewy texture.
7. Let them cool for a few minutes before removing to a rack to cool completely.