Pistachio Kiss Cookies

Christmas time just screams out for some sort of Hershey's kiss topped cookie doesn't it? I've strayed many times from the traditional PB and chocolate ones usually find myself making the cherry shortbread version.  This year I was determined to finally nail a Pistachio Pudding cookie and thought this might be the perfect opportunity. 

I have a forever weakness for pistachio flavored foods.  Yes, I know it's more likely fauxstachio but there's just something about that faux flavor that makes me grab for that little green jello box entirely way too often. 

There are a lot of fun ideas and recipes to create fun foods from pudding mix and I've given them a whirl...without any luck.  Sad.  Even these cookies had about three previous versions where I played with the sugar/flour/cornstarch combo.

I've tried the Betty Crocker cookie and pudding mix cookies with cranberries.  They tasted like cookie mix cookies. 

These pistachio wedding cookies looked awesome in the original poster's recipe but tasted a little plain when I made them.

I had super high hopes for the pistachio pudding fudge but mine came out grainy and tasting like pistachio white chocolate.  White chocolate was one of the main ingredients but I'd hoped that the pistachio flavor would overpower and eliminate any traces of white chocolate--not so much.  

There's something about that light pistachio green though that just makes it look delicious and fun.  

Butter + powdered sugar + jello pudding mix = something that looks like I want to eat straight from the mixer.  

Dark chocolate topped the cookies in this kitchen, but you can obviously switch up the kisses with the milk chocolate or even the (gasp) white chocolate ones. 

Like the cherry versions, these cookies are definitely more shortbread than sweet cookie.  If you love your sugar, these are probably not going to be sweet enough.  If you find all the sugar of the holidays a bit overwhelming, these may be right up your alley.  

The pistachio flavor is a little subtle the first day but no worries--the pistachio flavor becomes more prominent by the 2nd and 3rd days.  

I know I made them for Christmas, but every time I look at them, I think of Elphaba from Wicked.  

Pistachio Kiss Cookies

Ingredients

1 c softened butter
3/4 c powdered sugar

1 pkg instant pistachio pudding mix
1 egg
1 tsp pistachio extract (I bought might from Savory Spice shop)
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 3/4 c flour

1/4 c cornstarch
1/2 c. pistachios, finely chopped (optional)

30 dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °
2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add pudding mix and extracts and mix well. 
3. Add egg and beat to combine.
4. Add flour and cornstarch and mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in chopped pistachios. 
5. Shape into 1" balls  Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Mine made exactly 30 cookies.  While cookies are baking, unwrap kisses
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool slightly before topping each with a Kiss.