When you're baking cookies, no batter is complete without the right kind of nut. In the case of this delicious ricotta cookie recipe below, the perfect nut to add is the California pistachio. Able to incorporate a rich and delicious flavor into any baked good, California pistachios are the perfect compliment to sweets and offer a kind of salty, yet hearty bite. If you're thinking of baking a delicious cookie like the one below, consider throwing a few California pistachios into the batter. You'll love the taste and it'll make each and every cookie feel like something special. Put those baking skills to the test and make a real impression with your cookies by including pistachios in your next batch of batter: Ricotta Pistachio Cookies
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup roasted, salted California pistachios, finely chopped ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperatures 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup ricotta cheese 1 large egg 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat together pistachios, butter, and sugar on medium speed until creamy. Next, lower the speed and add ricotta, egg, vanilla, and orange zest until well combined. At low speed, mix in the flour mixture gradually until well-combined dough forms. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes. While the dough is chilling, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove dough from fridge. Form the dough into 1-inch balls and place on greased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart. Then, using your palms, flatten. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool for a few minutes before transferring to wire cooling racks. In a small bowl, heat chocolate in a small bowl until well melted, stirring every 20-30 seconds for a total of about 1-2 minutes. Once cookies have cooled, dip half of the cookie into the melted chocolate and allow to dry on wire racks or wax paper. When chocolate is set, garnish with confectioners sugar and enjoy!
