Chef Caren McSherry, who owns Gourmet Warehouse, suggests the KISS approach to holiday baking: Keep it Simple, Silly. You don't need to stress yourself out over complicated treats to keep your guests and loved ones content, as this easy recipe proves. 

Caren McSherry's butter cookies with white chocolate and pistachios

Makes 36.

Watch these disappear in a hurry.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla: make sure it is the real thing, not supermarket imitation (really important)
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

4 ounces white chocolate

2/3 cup pistachio nuts, toasted and chopped

Method

Cream the butter until soft. Add the sugar and beat until light and creamy.

Add the vanilla and the flour and beat until the mixture is combined.

Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Place the mixture in a large piping bag fitted with a large star tube. Pipe the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment in 2-inch lengths.

Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are light golden brown.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Dip one end of the cookie into the chocolate, then immediately roll into the nuts.

Lay the cookies on a flat surface until the chocolate sets.