Name: Pistachio stars – Christmas cookies we make every year
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 37
Ingredients: 200 g plain flour; 120 g softened butter; 80 g powdered sugar; 1 egg; a pinch of salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar; 150 g unsalted pistachios (ground); 2 egg whites; 80 g granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 200 g powdered sugar; 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice; optional - small pistachio decorations, chopped pistachios, marzipan stars

Preparation procedure

Preparing the dough In a bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg and beat briefly. Then work in the sifted flour with a pinch of salt. You will form a compact dough; wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Pistachio layer Mix the ground pistachios with the sugar. Beat the egg whites with a teaspoon of lemon juice until stiff peaks form and gently fold them into the pistachio mixture. This will create a smooth green mixture.
Shaping the stars Roll the dough out to a sheet about 5 mm thick and cut out larger stars. Transfer them to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread a thin layer of the pistachio filling on each star.
Baking Preheat the oven to 170 °C. Bake the stars for 15–18 minutes, until the edges turn golden. Let them cool completely.
Lemon glaze Mix the powdered sugar with the lemon juice into a smooth, thick glaze. Spread it over the top of the stars. If you like, decorate them with small pistachio stars or a sprinkle of chopped pistachios.

Quick information

Servings: approx. 40–50 stars

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Baking time: 15–18 minutes

Total time: approx. 60 minutes + chilling

Tips and recipe testing

Use unsalted pistachios – they significantly affect the flavor.
The egg-white pistachio layer firms up nicely during baking and remains moist.
Don’t thin the glaze too much – it should hold its shape and create a smooth white layer.
Store the stars in a cool place; over time they will soften further and their flavor will intensify.