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    Home » Cookies

    Pistachio Cookies

    By Elizabeth Waterson // Nov 11, 2022 (Updated Oct 31, 2024) // 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review
    This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    19 shares
    pistachio shortbread cookies drizzled in white chocolate on a marble surface with a bottle of pistachio emulsion

    These pistachio cookies are mouth-watering with the nutty pistachios combined with the melt-in-mouth texture and white chocolate drizzle. Step-by-step photos teach you how to make these slice-and-bake pistachio cookies.

    close up of a pistachio white chocolate cookie on a white marble surface

    All year long, specifically during the Christmas season, I don't think I have ever come across too many cookies, but what I have come across is too many of the same cookies. I love having an array of cookies to devour, the different textures and flavors are my favorite thing. These white chocolate pistachio shortbread cookies are perfect for your Christmas cookie plate.

    This shortbread-style cookie is easy to prep ahead of time, no scooping is required just slice and bake, and adding a white chocolate drizzle makes them feel ever so special. Thanks to the LorAnn Pistachio Bakery Emulsion the pistachio flavor is bursting within these cookies.

    pistachio shortbread cookies drizzled in white chocolate on a marble surface with a bottle of pistachio emulsion

    Let's get to the recipe.

    This post was sponsored by LorAnn Oils All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Confessions of a Baking Queen possible. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to freeze
    • More cookie recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • Recipe Ratings & Comments

    Ingredients

    For these scrumptious cookies you will need:

    • Butter. The butter needs to be softened to room temperature. 
    • Granulated Sugar. The sugar will cream into the butter.
    • Pistachio Emulsion. The star of the show, the LorAnn Pistachio Bakery Emulsion will help create an intense and delicious pistachio flavor to your cookies that you don't get from just adding chopped pistachios.
    • Vanilla Extract. Just a bit of vanilla complements the beautiful nutty pistachio flavor profile.
    • All Purpose Flour. Make sure you measure your flour properly, too much or too light can drastically affect the recipe. I highly suggest weighing your ingredients with a scale.
    • Roasted & Lightly Salted Pistachios. I love adding the slightly salted pistachios so you get some of the sweet and salt flavor combos. You'll want to chop the nuts into smaller pieces.
    • White Chocolate. Make sure you use good-quality white chocolate to compliment these cookies. You can use white chocolate chips at a push but I don't recommend it.

    Check out my chocolate salami recipe.

    ingredients for pistachio shortbread cookies on a white marble surface

    For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.

    Instructions

    In an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

    butter and sugar creamed together in a glass bowl on a marble surface with a light green linen

    Add the vanilla extract and LorAnn Pistachio Bakery Emulsion mixing to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly incorporated.

    pistachio emulsion poured into creamed sugar and butter mixture in a glass bowlon a marble surface with a light green linen

    Turn the speed down to the lowest setting and add the flour mixture until just combined.

    flour added to pistachio shortbread batter in a glass bowl on a marble surface with a light green linen

    Fold in chopped pistachios. 

    chopped pistachios added to shortbread dough in a glass bow on top of a white marble surface

    Place two large pieces of plastic wrap on the counter and put the dough on top. Shape cookie dough into a rectangular log about 6 inches long by 2 inches wide. Once the logs are formed wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.

    cookie dough formed into a log in plastic wrap on a marble surface
    pistachio shortbread cookie dough wrapped into a log and measured out on a marble surface

    When ready to bake preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner or parchment paper, set aside. Slice the chilled dough into ¼ inch thick pieces, then place the cookies on a sheet 1 inch apart from each other. Bake cookies for 12-16 minutes, rotating the pan halfway thru, and cook until the cookie edges are browned. Let cool for 5 minutes on the tray then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    pistachio shortbread cookies before and after baking on a silpat lined baking tray

    In a double boiler or a makeshift one- a pot filled with a little water over low medium heat with a bowl on top (not touching the water) add chopped white chocolate and then let the steam from the water melt the chocolate. Be careful as white chocolate burns very easily.

    Use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate on top of the cooled cookies or dip the cookie halfway into the chocolate. Immediately sprinkle roasted nuts on top. Let set for 1 hour or put in the fridge to speed up setting time. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Make sure to check out LorAnn Oils for all of their delicious baking emulsions.

    How to freeze

    You can totally freeze the logs of pistachio shortbread cookie dough for a month or two. Once you have fully wrapped the pistachio cookie dough I suggest placing it in a freezer-safe container to help prevent freezer burn.

    close up of stack of white chocolate pistachio cookies on a marble surface with a light green linen

    More cookie recipes

    Make sure to check out my favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe.

    For a fun festive cookie, plate add my white chocolate raspberry cookies that would look beautiful next to these green pistachio cookies.

    These cream cheese cookies melt in your mouth.

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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    Print

    Recipe Card

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    white chocolate pistachio shortbread cookies on a marble surface

    Pistachio Cookies

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    These pistachio cookies are mouth-watering with the nutty pistachios combined with the melt-in-mouth texture and white chocolate drizzle. Step-by-step photos teach you how to make these slice-and-bake pistachio cookies. 

    • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
    • Yield: 18-20 Cookies 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 8oz (1 Cup) Butter, softened to room temperature
    • 150 grams (¾ Cup) Granulated Sugar
    • 1 Teaspoon LorAnn Pistachio Bakery Emulsion
    • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 291 grams/ 2 ⅓ cup All Purpose Flour
    • 1 cup Roasted & Lightly Salted Pistachios, chopped
    • 8oz Good Quality White Chocolate
    • ¼ cup Finely Chopped Pistachios

    Instructions

    1. In an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and pistachio emulsion mixing to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly incorporated.
    2. Turn the speed down to the lowest setting and add the flour mixture until just combined. Fold in chopped pistachios.
    3. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter and put the dough on top. Shape cookie dough into two rectangular logs about 6 inches long by 2 inches wide. Once the logs are formed wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
    4. When ready to bake preheat oven to 350F/180C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner or parchment paper, set aside. Slice the chilled dough into ¼ inch thick pieces, then place the cookies on a sheet 1 inch apart from each other. Bake cookies for 12-16 minutes, rotating the pan halfway thru, and cook until the cookie edges are browned. Let cool for 5 minutes on the tray then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
    5. In a double boiler or a makeshift one- a pot filled with a little water over low medium heat with a bowl on top (not touching the water) add chopped white chocolate and then let the steam from the water melt the chocolate. Be careful as white chocolate burns very easily.
    6. Use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate on top of the cooled cookies or dip the cookie halfway into the chocolate. Immediately sprinkle roasted nuts on top. Let set for 1 hour or put in the fridge to speed up setting time. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Chill Time: 2 Hours
    • Cook Time: 15
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating ⭐ when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I am incredibly grateful for your support! —xx Liz

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    1. debbie says

      December 16, 2022 at 5:24 pm

      I made the pistachio cookies for a holiday cookie swap and they were a HUGE hit!
      I'm not a baker, and these could not be easier or more delicious! I'll be making these again. And again!
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        December 18, 2022 at 9:18 pm

        Hi Debbie, thank you so much for the lovely review I am so pleased you enjoyed the recipe. Merry Christmas. XX Liz

        Reply
    2. Linda Yates says

      April 15, 2023 at 1:24 pm

      These have become a family favorite for Christmas and even for Easter baskets. Sometimes my dough is a little crumbly, and harder to slice, bit they are always tasty.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        April 15, 2023 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Linda, thank you so much for the lovely 5-star review. I love that your family adores these cookies!! You should try my slice and bake chocolate-dipped brown butter toffee cookies. Take care. XX Liz

        Reply
    3. Cyndi Olsen says

      June 11, 2023 at 7:01 pm

      Can they be made into drop cookies?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Waterson says

        June 12, 2023 at 8:52 am

        HI Cyndi, I have never made them as drop cookies. You could most certainly try but you would need to pat them down as they aren't going to spread too much. Please report back if you try it! Thanks. XX Liz

        Reply

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    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

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