Frosted Pistachio Cookies

Frosted Pistachio Cookies 

Makes about 12-18 big cookies

Ingredients 

• For cookies
• 3/4 cup butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• Green gel food coloring (optional)
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 package pistachio instant pudding mix (divided)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup pistachios (shelled, chopped, and lightly toasted)
• For frosting
• 1 cup butter (room temperature)
• 4-5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Milk, as needed
• Salt, to taste
• Green gel food coloring (optional)

Directions

• Place butter and both sugars in a large bowl, beat with an electric hand mixer until light and creamy.
• Add vanilla and eggs and beat until well combined.
• If using food coloring, add now and mix until color is well distributed.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Open pistachio pudding mix and set aside 2 Tbsp for the frosting, mix the remaining pudding mix in the flour mixture.
• Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until dough forms.
• Fold in pistachios, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. and line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats.
• Scoop and roll cookie dough into 3-4 Tbsp sized balls and place 6 balls on a baking sheet.
• Bake cookies for 15 minutes, let sit on pan for at least 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling.
• To make frosting, place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed for a few minutes.
• Add 1 cup powdered sugar and mix on low speed until combined.
• Add 3 more cups of sugar and mix until combined, if too thin, add 1 more cup of sugar, if too thick, add 1-2 Tbsp milk.
• If using food coloring, add now and mix until color is well distributed.
• Add vanilla, salt, and pudding mix and beat for 1-2 minutes.
• Transfer frosting to a piping bag and pipe onto the tops of the cooled cookies.
• Garnish with more chopped pistachios if desired.