Ingredients

• 1  cup butter (no substitutes)
• 1/2  cup granulated sugar
• 1/4  cup packed brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4  to 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1  egg
• 2  tablespoons vanilla yogurt
• 2-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  cups finely chopped pistachio nuts or almonds
• 1  slightly beaten egg white
• 1/2  cup seedless strawberry jam or orange marmalade

Directions

1. Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and yogurt until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour and the nuts with a wooden spoon. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for 2 hours.

2. Roll each half of dough on a floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out stars with a floured 3- or 3-1/2-inch star-shape cookie cutter, rerolling trimmings, to make 72 stars total. Place cutouts on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Cut stars from centers of half of stars with a small star-shape cutter; place small cutouts on baking sheet or re-roll. Brush all cookies with egg white.

3. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool.

4. To assemble cookies, spread dull side of each whole star with 1/2 teaspoon jam or marmalade. Top each with a cutout cookie, shiny side up. Press cookies together gently. Makes 36 cookies.