White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
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These white chocolate, cranberry, pistachio cookies feature the three traditional Christmas colors all wrapped into one incredibly delicious bite! The cranberries can also be substituted with dried cherries for a delicious variation.
White chocolate, cranberry and pistachio cookies…..the three traditional Christmas colors wrapped into one incredibly delicious bite! These buttery cookies feature white chocolate, sweet-tart cranberries, and slightly salty pistachio nuts. The flavors work together beautifully to bring you a delightful holiday treat that is a must-add to your Christmas “to bake” list. (Or use dried cherries in the “off season”).
I published this recipe back in 2013, the year I started this blog. That Christmas I was working on developing a cookie that captured the fun, flavor, and colors of the Christmas holiday. At the time my 3 year old asked if we could make some popcorn, and as I reached into the cupboard for the popcorn kernels I noticed a bag of pistachios. Their vibrant green color stood out to me and within a minute I had my Christmasy cookie conceptualized. And so my kids and I ate some popcorn while I whipped up a batch of these White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies.
They were the first thing my husband noticed when he came home. Todd claims he doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth. But he’ll gobble up ice cream, Reese’s Pieces, pies, brownies, and cookies, to name a few. Kind of like, “I don’t really crave sweets…except for this and that…and that…and this…..” Yes dear, whatever you say, LOL :)
And so I made a batch of these cookies and no sooner did I exit the kitchen and walk back in again than several cookies were mysteriously missing. And then of course came that all-to-predictable comment, “Now you know I don’t really crave sweets…but these you can make any time!” I just smiled.
These cookies have gone viral over the years and have remained both a reader and a family favorite ever since that December back in 2013.
White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe
Let’s get started!
First cream the softened butter and the sugars. Beat for several minutes until fluffy and pale – this step is important to achieving the perfect texture.
Add the egg and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl sift the flour and baking soda. If you’re using unsalted pistachios, add 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until combined.
Stir in the white chocolate chips, dried cranberries (or cherries) and pistachio nuts.
Drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the greased cookie sheet.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until they just begin to turn golden around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
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For more delicious Christmas goodies be sure to try our:
- Kokosmakronen (German Coconut Macaroons)
- Zimtsterne(German Cinnamon Star Cookies)
- Vanillekipferl (Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies)
- Christmas Pudding (Figgy Pudding)
- Pfeffernüsse (German Iced Spiced Cookies)
- Mince Pies (English Mincemeat Pie)
- Lebkuchen (Nürnberger Elisenlebkuchen)
- Stollen (German Christmas Bread)
- Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread)
- Springerle (German Embossed Cookies)
- Printen (Aachener Gingerbread)
- Pandoro (Verona Christmas Bread)
- Speculoos (Gingerbread Shortcrust Cookies)
- Bethmännchen (Marzipan Cookies)
- Heidesand (Browned Butter Shortbread Cookies)
- Marzipan (or Almond Paste)
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White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (note: the video mistakenly says baking powder)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped shelled pistachio nuts
- 1 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries)
- Note: If using unsalted nuts add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a cookie sheet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugars. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars until fluffy and pale in color, 3-5 minutes. This step is important for ensuring soft, chewy cookies. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips, dried cranberries and pistachio nuts.
- Drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the greased cookie sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until they just begin to turn golden around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 13, 2013
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Incredibly Delicious, they’re Absolutely Amazing! Made a double batch after reading the great reviews & thankfully we all LOVED these. (Tried making fudge with similar combo & hated, but in cookies, it works!) Perfect pairing of flavors & textures. Sweet, Salty, Chewy, Soft (in a good way). Definitely a recipe to keep & make repeatedly. Already bought ingredients to make them again. I will cut the chips back to 1 1/2 cups for double batch. Was unable to get the entire 2 cups to stir into the dough. Sprinkled tops with a little fleur de sel. PERFECTION! Highly, Highly Recommend! Thank you for sharing your incredibly delicious recipe & making many ppl happy.
Oh I’m so happy these were such a hit, Kelli, thank you very much for the feedback! <3
I had to make for 15 mins since it was still soft on the sides. a little sweet sweet for me.
Does the dough need to be chilled, before baking?
Hi Vivian, no it does not.
amazing easy recipe! made a double batch (gluten free 1:1)
batch 1: slivered almonds (no pistachios), dried cranberries, white chocolate
batch 2: crushed pecans (lol, still no pistachios), dried apricots, orange chocolate bar cut into chunks
(not xmasy colours but oh! so tasty!) thanks! this is a keeper for sure :)
Fantastic, Kat! I’m happy you enjoyed them and appreciate the feedback about the GF and ingredient substitutions!
I followed this recipe exactly. Turned out wonderfully! My husband loved them too!
Delicious! I have Celiac and converted this to gluten free 1:1 using a multi purpose gf flour and added 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar. Super easy and yummy!
That’s terrific, Kelli, I’m happy you enjoyed them and appreciate the feedback on the GF substitute!
These Christmas cookies are soooooo good!!! My family loves them!!!❤️
Thank you so much, Christy! <3
These cookies are delicious! Followed recipe as directed only adding 1/4 tsp of cardamom which gives baked goods a light cinnamony orange flavor and such a pretty cookie to add to my holiday platters! I used salted pistachios and roasted them first. Wonderful cookie!
Wonderful! Thank you so much, Gail, I’m delighted that you enjoyed them!
I made these for our church’s annual fund-raising event for community outreach; they are delicious! Thank-you for sharing such a wonderful recipe.
Thank you so much for the feedback, Diane, I’m thrilled they were a hit!
These are a huge hit at Christmas. Making them again this year as they seem to be everyone’s favorite!
Fantastic, thank you so much, Julie! <3
I first made these a couple of years ago. My son asked me why am I not just making chocolate chip cookies. He tried these and has never asked for”just chocolate chip cookies” again.
Lol, FANTASTIC! :) Thank you!
OUTSTANDING RECIPE AS IS. PERFECT. These are always a winner, and very festive. Thank you for sharing another wonderful well written recipe. Love it.
Outrageously delicious. Preparing all my Christmas cookies now and freezing them for later. These are the best pistachio, white chocolate and cranberry cookies EVER. Perfect as written. Thank you for sharing this marvelous recipe. Love it
Oh I’m so glad, Stacey, thank you very much!
Just made these this morning. It was so worth baking on a hot & humid summer day! An easy prep recipe that made large, chewy, crazy delicious sweetness! This is a keeper!
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Barb, thank you very much!
I wanted to make these for Christmas but time ran out. Finally made them today. They are as delicious as I hoped they would be. My son who is brutally honest about my cooking/baking – told me they were delicious and gave me a thumbs up. I hear my husband sneaking another just now.
Lol, I’m so glad they’re a family hit, Kristin, thank you! <3