Pistachio Cookies

Happy holidays and cookie season!! This is my favorite time of the year. Everywhere you go it smells like Christmas  trees and with their sparkling lights there is just a certain magic in the air. I love to make all kinds of cookies and this is always a favorite by far! I have to make a ton of these because between my husband and my brother they are the best. I hope you love them as much as we do! I know Santa does!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, unsalted, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 2 (3.4-ounce) packages instant pistachio pudding
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup chopped pistachios

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter with 1/2 cup sugar. Add oil, water, egg and almond extract; mix well. In separate  bowl, combine pudding mix, salt, baking powder and flour; blend into butter mixture. Stir in pistachios. Shape level tablespoonfuls of dough into balls; roll in remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Place balls 1 inch apart on greased or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Bake for 15-17 minutes.