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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!ย  The cranberries can also be substituted with dried cherries for a delicious variation.

white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies recipe dried cherries cranberries

White chocolate, cranberry and pistachio cookies…..the three traditional Christmas colors wrapped into one incredibly delicious bite!ย  These buttery cookies feature white chocolate, sweet-tart cranberries, and slightly salty pistachio nuts. ย The flavors work together beautifully to bring you a delightful holiday treat that is a must-add to your Christmas “to bake” list. ย (Or use dried cherries in the “off season”).

I published this recipe back in 2013, the year I started this blog.ย  That Christmas I was working on developing a cookie that captured the fun, flavor, and colors of the Christmas holiday.ย  ย 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. ย Their vibrant green color stood out to me and within a minute I had my Christmasy cookie conceptualized. ย And so my kids and I ate some popcorn while I whipped up a batch of these White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies.

white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies recipe dried cherries cranberries

They were the first thing my husband noticed when he came home. ย Todd claims he doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth. ย But he’ll gobble up ice cream, Reese’s Pieces, pies, brownies, and cookies, to name a few. ย Kind of like, “I don’t really crave sweets…except for this and that…and that…and this…..”ย  ย 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. ย And then of course came that all-to-predictable comment, “Now you know I don’t really crave sweets…but theseย you can make any time!” ย 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 dried cherries cranberries

White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe

Let’s get started!

First cream the softened butter and the sugars. ย Beat for several minutes until fluffy and pale – this step is important to achieving the perfect texture.

beating butter and sugar

Add the egg and vanilla extract.

adding the egg to butter and sugar

In a separate bowl sift the flour and baking soda. ย If you’re using unsalted pistachios, add 1/4 teaspoon salt.

combining dry ingredients in bowl

Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until combined.

adding dry ingredients to wet ingredients

Stir in the white chocolate chips, dried cranberries (or cherries) and pistachio nuts.

white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies recipe dried cherries cranberries

mixing cookie dough

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.

dropping cookie batter on cookie sheet

Enjoy!

white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies recipe dried cherries cranberries

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White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

The three traditional Christmas colors all wrapped into one incredibly delicious cookie!
4.94 from 58 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 169 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
  • ยฝ cup packed brown sugar
  • ยฝ cup white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
  • 1ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
  • ยฝ teaspoon baking soda (note: the video mistakenly says baking powder)
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • ยฝ 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

Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 59mgPotassium: 69mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 141IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
Keyword White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 13, 2013

 

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iโ€™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!

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Recipe Rating




4.94 from 58 votes (26 ratings without comment)

193 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. OUTSTANDING RECIPE AS IS. PERFECT. These are always a winner, and very festive. Thank you for sharing another wonderful well written recipe. Love it.

  3. 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

  4. 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!

  5. 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.