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Piñon Nut Cookies

Buttery shortbread cookies studded with toasted piñon (pine) nuts, a New Mexico specialty.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 18Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Buttery shortbread cookies studded with toasted piñon (pine) nuts, a New Mexico specialty.

From the piñon forests

Toasted piñon nuts fold into tender butter cookies for a nutty, slightly resinous flavor that’s pure New Mexico.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar until light; beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract.
  3. Stir in the flour, salt, and piñon nuts until a soft dough forms.
  4. Roll into 1-inch balls, place 2 inches apart, and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.
  5. Bake 12-15 minutes until the edges are just golden. Cool, then dust with powdered sugar.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Toast the piñon nuts until fragrant to wake up their flavor. Watch the last few minutes — they brown fast.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Servings18
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →