Slice-and-Bake Pistachio Butter Cookies

1. Stage

Finely chop the pistachios: Place the pistachios in a food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped, but not so much that the nuts become powder or start to break down into nut butter. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.

2. Stage

Make the cookie dough: Into a food processor, measure the flour by scooping up the flour in the measuring cup and then sweeping across the top with the dull edge of a butter knife. Measure the sugar in the same manor. (Or weigh your ingredients.) Add the salt. Pulse a few times to mix the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into a few chunks and scatter over the top of the dry ingredients. Pulse just until the mixture forms crumbs. Whisk the yolk with the vanilla with a fork (this helps them mix more easily), and add to the food processor, scraping the small bowl with a rubber spatula so all the yolk is added. Pulse again in 15 or so long bursts, just until the dough forms large moist clumps. (If your dough isn't forming clumps or seems very dry and crumbly, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to let the butter warm and soften a little more, then try pulsing again.)

3. Stage

Shape the dough into logs: Turn the dough out onto the counter and use your hands to gather the clumps together to form a ball. Knead once or twice against the counter so the dough sticks together and looks smooth, but be careful of overworking. The dough should be smooth and pliant, like firm play-dough. Use the bench scraper or a knife to cut the dough in half. Shape each half into a log that is 13-to-14-inches long and 3/4-inch wide, rolling them under your palms until they are smooth. Cut each log in half again to make 4 shorter logs.

4. Stage

Roll the logs in nuts: Working one log at a time, roll the logs in the chopped nuts. Gently press the pistachios into the dough so the logs are coated.

5. Stage

Chill the logs: Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least an hour. Logs can also be left refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. (If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.)

6. Stage

Slice and bake the cookies: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a small sharp knife to cut the chilled logs into 1/4-inch slices. If any nuts fall off, just press them back into the dough. Arrange the cookies 1-inch apart on the baking sheet.

7. Stage

Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies until the nuts begin to brown at the edgesand are set and firm but not golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Lift the cookies, still on the parchment paper, to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.