Instructions: The whole kitchen will smell wonderful. These freeze well if tightly wrapped.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until soft and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill dough thoroughly.

Preheat oven to 375 . Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with cookie cutters and arrange on ungreased cookie sheets.

Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top; press down lightly.

Bake at 375 for about 5 minutes or until edges start to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 3 dozen. Kathleen Stang, freelance food writer, Seattle, WA

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