Pistachio Cherry Meltaways Recipes

~ CHERRY DREAM MELTAWAYS ~

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 325 degree F. Lightly grease a sheet pan. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the extracts. Mix the salt and flour and add to the butter mixture a little at a time until all is beaten in.
• 2. In a bowl, spoon out preserves and I chop the cherries up with a spoon, just so they aren't left whole.
• 3. Roll in the palm of your hand about 1 inch round balls and place on prepared pan about 1 inch apart. Use your thumb and indent the dough, not clear through, just enough that you can fill each cookie with 1/2 - 3/4 tsp of preserves.
• 4. Bake just until they begin to brown on the bottom, yet are nice and white on the sides and top - about 15 minutes.
• 5. Remove cookies to cooling rack and make the glaze while they cool.
• 6. Whisk together the sugar, almond extract and milk. Take a small baggie and roll down the top, spoon in the glaze and cut a small hole on the one corner. Pipe glaze over each cookie in a swirled motion.
• 7. Dig in, they are delicious!
• 8. Original recipe for which I tweaked. I loved my changes. :)

PISTACHIO MELT AWAYS

Steps:

• In large bowl blend sugar, butter, shortening, almond extract, eggs, pudding mix, and food color.
• Add flour, soda and salt. Mix well.
• Chill for 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 375. Shape into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheets leaving 2 inches between coookies. Bake 8 - 10 minutes Immediately remove from sheets and cool on racks.
• Preparation time includes chill time.

CHERRY PISTACHIO COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and orange zest. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in cherries and pistachios., Divide dough in half ; shape each into an 11-in.-long roll. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm., Preheat oven to 375°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/2-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cookies with melted white chocolate; let stand until set., To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator., Freeze option: Place wrapped rolls in a resealable plastic freezer bag and freeze. To use, unwrap frozen logs and cut into slices. If necessary, let dough stand 15 minutes at room temperature before cutting. Bake as directed, increasing time by 1-2 minutes. Decorate as directed.