Lemon Pistachio Wreaths

Makes about 4 dozen

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
5 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups shelled unsalted pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped

Directions
Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Put butter and granulated sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in yolks, lemon zest, and vanilla. Reduce speed to low, and gradually mix in flour mixture. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to a generous 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 1/2-inch round fluted cutter, cut out wreaths. Reroll scraps, and cut out. Cut out centers of wreaths using a 7/8-inch round cutter. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Bake until just golden, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on wire racks.
Stir together confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Dip surface of each cookie in icing, and sprinkle with pistachios. Let set on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 1 week.
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Patti’s Notes: I was a little nervous about all that cornstarch but Martha knows what she's doing because they came out great. I made them exactly as written except the pistachios I had were salted. The salty, sweet and tart turned out to be a really good combo (IMO). Funny note about the 7/8 inch cookie cutter. I didn’t have one and couldn’t find one in the few stores I checked. I asked Paul if he had anything in the garage that I could use. He looked around and said no. I figured there had to be SOMETHING I could us. Bingo, full drawer of socket sets.

Who knew I’d find such a great assortment of cookie cutters in the man cave?

Easy Meter: Middle of the road with all the cookie cutter, glazing activity.

Health-o-Meter: Real butter and sugar. Proceed with caution.

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~Source: Martha Stewart