White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love this White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe because it brings such a perfect balance of sweet and nutty that you’ll find irresistible. When I first tried baking these cookies, the combination of creamy white chocolate and crunchy pistachios created a delightful texture and flavor that quickly became a family favorite. It’s the kind of recipe that works wonderfully for afternoon tea, holiday baking, or just whenever you need a little something special to brighten your day.

What makes this White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe so worth trying is how easy it is to get bakery-quality cookies right in your own kitchen. Plus, they bake up with just the right chewy softness and a bit of crisp at the edges, which I’ve found is exactly what you want in a cookie like this. Trust me, once you taste them warm from the oven, you’ll understand why they quickly disappear from the cookie jar.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of what you need already stocked in your pantry, making these cookies super accessible.
  • Texture Perfection: The combo of chewy centers with crunchy pistachios and melting white chocolate is just heavenly every time.
  • Versatile Occasion Treat: These cookies shine whether you’re making them for casual snacking or special gatherings.
  • Reliable Results: I’ve honed this recipe to ensure it’s foolproof, so you’ll feel confident baking them yourself.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe lies in the balance of rich butter, toasted pistachios, and smooth white chocolate. Here’s what you’ll want to gather before starting — and a few tips to get the best results.

  • Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and fluffier dough.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth of flavor—don’t skip it!
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and supports great texture.
  • Egg: Make sure it’s at room temperature to blend in smoothly.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors in the cookies.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides just the right structure without being too dense.
  • Cornstarch: Gives the cookies a tender, soft crumb.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Work together to ensure perfect rise and chewiness.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates flavor.
  • Cinnamon: Just a touch adds warmth and complexity to the flavor profile.
  • Unsalted Pistachios: Toast and roughly chop for the best crunch and nutty aroma.
  • White Chocolate Bar: Chop roughly — chunks melt into gooey pockets of sweetness throughout.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking the White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe depending on my mood and what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to experiment a bit — it’s fun and keeps the recipe fresh. Here are a few ideas I’ve enjoyed.

  • Swap Nuts: Try almonds or macadamia nuts for a different crunch; I once used pecans, and it was deliciously buttery.
  • Chocolate Twist: Substitute some or all white chocolate with dark or milk chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend; just be sure to check your baking powder and soda are gluten-free.
  • Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to complement the cinnamon — this makes the cookies cozy and aromatic in the winter.

How to Make White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This is key so the oven is hot and ready when your dough is mixed—no waiting around. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat to keep those cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture gets fluffy and light in color — this usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides so everything incorporates evenly. The fluffiness here is what gives your cookies that perfect tender texture.

Step 3: Mix in Egg and Vanilla

On low speed, add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix just until combined — you want it uniform, but overmixing can make cookies tough. I learned this the hard way, so trust me on this one!

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients

Time to add your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Scrape the bowl once again to keep everything moving smoothly. Mix everything together on low speed just until the flour disappears and your dough comes together. It’s easy to overmix here, so be gentle to keep your cookies tender.

Step 5: Fold in Pistachios and White Chocolate

Gently fold in the toasted, roughly chopped pistachios and chopped white chocolate chunks, reserving a couple of tablespoons of each to press on top of the cookies later. This step ensures every bite has plenty of nutty crunch and melty white chocolate bits.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape

Scoop the dough using a 1-ounce cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) and roll each into a ball. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies at least 2 inches apart. Press the reserved pistachios and white chocolate chunks on top of each cookie dough ball — this adds a beautiful finishing touch and extra flavor burst.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies at 350°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. The centers will look slightly underbaked but trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling phase helps maintain their chewy-soft texture, which is my favorite part.

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Pro Tips for Making White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: I always make sure my butter and eggs aren’t cold; it helps with even mixing and texture.
  • Don’t Overmix: Overmixing after adding the flour can make cookies tough, so stir just until combined.
  • Toast Your Nuts: Toasting pistachios intensifies their flavor and gives the cookies a wonderful aroma.
  • Watch Baking Time Closely: Pull the cookies out as soon as the edges turn golden; they’ll keep baking on the tray for a few minutes.

How to Serve White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe

A pile of soft, round cookies sits on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a light golden-brown color with a slightly cracked texture. On top, there are small pieces of white chunks and green-yellow pistachio nuts scattered unevenly. Around the cookies, extra pistachios and white chunks are spread in small groups. The scene looks bright and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few extra chopped pistachios on top of the cookies right after baking to amp up the nutty look and flavor. Occasionally, a light dusting of powdered sugar gives a lovely touch, especially when serving for guests — it makes the cookies look fancy without much effort.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of rich coffee or a chilled glass of milk. For a dessert spread, try serving them with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement their sweetness and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered tray alongside fresh berries and edible flowers — it always makes the table festive. Wrapping a few cookies in decorative parchment tied with twine also makes a thoughtful homemade gift that friends and family adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days. If you find they get a bit soft, popping them in the oven for a few minutes refreshes their texture nicely.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully either as dough balls or fully baked. When I freeze dough balls, I place them on a tray first to freeze separately, then transfer into a zip-top bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies whenever you want without thawing the whole batch.

Reheating

To reheat, just warm the cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This melts the white chocolate slightly again and refreshes the crust without drying the cookie out — just like fresh from the oven.

FAQs

  1. Can I substitute white chocolate chips for the white chocolate bar in this recipe?

    Absolutely! Using white chocolate chips instead of a chopped bar will work just fine. Chunks from a bar create larger melted pockets, but chips melt evenly and still provide plenty of sweetness.

  2. Should I use salted or unsalted pistachios?

    I recommend unsalted pistachios so you can control the salt level in the cookies. Plus, with a pinch of salt added to the dough itself, the flavors balance perfectly without being too salty.

  3. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

    Using room temperature butter instead of melted butter helps keep the dough thicker. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can prevent excessive spreading if your kitchen is warm.

  4. Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

    Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based vegan butter and use dairy-free white chocolate. Also, replace the egg with flax egg or another vegan binder. Just note texture might vary slightly.

Final Thoughts

This White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe is truly one of those treats I adore baking because it never fails to impress with its dreamy texture and joyous flavors. I love sharing them with friends who are always amazed at how easy they are to make yet taste so indulgent. You’re going to have so much fun making these and even more fun eating them—so go ahead, give this recipe a try and watch how quickly they become your new go-to cookie!

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White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe

White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 125 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 18 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delight in these rich and chewy White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of buttery dough, toasted pistachios, and sweet white chocolate chunks. This recipe yields soft, golden cookies with a delightful crunch and a hint of cinnamon, perfect for any occasion or a comforting homemade treat.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (164g) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (152g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (108g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup (230g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp (8g) cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Add-ins

  • 5 oz (142g) unsalted pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped
  • 1 (4-ounce) white chocolate bar, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: With the mixer on low speed, add the large egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until they are thoroughly combined, then scrape down the bowl again.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until everything is combined and you no longer see dry flour.
  5. Mix in Pistachios and White Chocolate: Fold in the toasted, roughly chopped pistachios and white chocolate chunks by hand, reserving 1 to 2 tablespoons of each to sprinkle on top of the cookies later.
  6. Form Cookie Dough Balls: Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons), scoop the dough and roll each portion into a ball. Press some of the reserved pistachios and white chocolate gently into the tops of each dough ball.
  7. Arrange Cookies on Sheets: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
  9. Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack or serving. Enjoy your freshly baked white chocolate pistachio cookies!

Notes

  • Room temperature butter and egg help to create a smooth, even dough mixture.
  • Toasting the pistachios enhances their flavor and crunch; you can toast them on a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or in the oven at 350°F for about 8 minutes.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • If you prefer a softer cookie, reduce the baking time to 10 minutes; for crispier edges, bake close to 12 minutes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

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