Pesto Shortbread

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) block Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, finely chopped and toasted
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole pine nuts

Preparation

1. Beat butter and Parmesan cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add garlic and next 3 ingredients, beating just until blended. Gradually stir in flour with a spoon (mixture will become crumbly); stir until mixture is blended and smooth (about 2 to 3 minutes). Or instead of stirring the dough with a spoon after adding flour, you can gently press mixture together with hands, and work until smooth.
2. Shape shortbread dough into 8 (7-inch-long) logs. Wrap each log in plastic wrap, and chill for 8 hours.
3. Cut logs into 1/3-inch-thick slices, and place on lightly greased baking sheets. Press 1 whole pine nut into the center of each dough slice.
4. Bake at 350° for 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove shortbread to wire racks, and let cool.