Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe

If you adore cookies with a delightful nutty twist and a creamy center, you are in for a treat with this Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe. These cookies marry the buttery softness of classic cookies with the rich flavor of roasted pistachios and a luscious dollop of pistachio cream right in the middle. The addition of dark chocolate chunks adds a decadent touch, balancing the nuttiness with a hint of bittersweet indulgence. Whether it’s for a cozy afternoon snack or an impressive treat for guests, this recipe delivers on flavor, texture, and presentation every time.

Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients come together to create these irresistible Pistachio Cream Cookies. Each component plays a role in achieving the perfect cookie texture, rich flavor, and beautiful appearance.

  • All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure and fluffiness.
  • Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise softly and develop a tender crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors.
  • Unsalted butter (room temp): Adds moisture and richness for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Brown sugar: Deepens the flavor and keeps the cookies chewy and moist.
  • Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crispness on the edges.
  • Egg: Binds all ingredients together while lending tenderness.
  • Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, inviting aroma and rounds out the flavors.
  • Roasted pistachios (chopped): Provides a bold, nutty crunch that’s essential to the cookie’s character.
  • Dark chocolate chunks: Adds rich, slightly bitter bursts that perfectly complement the pistachio.
  • Pistachio cream: The star ingredient for the filling, delivering a creamy, slightly sweet surprise inside each cookie.

How to Make Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pistachio Cream Filling

Start by spooning out half-teaspoon dollops of pistachio cream onto a parchment-lined small baking tray. Freeze these little bites for 20 to 30 minutes until they firm up. This prevents the cream from melting out, making it easier to stuff inside the cookie dough later. A chilled filling is the key to perfectly sealed cookies with that wonderful creamy center.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl to ensure even distribution. In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until your mixture is light and fluffy – this step is crucial for tender, chewy cookies. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, then gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Finally, fold in the chopped roasted pistachios and dark chocolate chunks to spread little pockets of flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Stuff the Cookies

Take about two tablespoons of cookie dough and gently flatten it out in your palm. Nestle one frozen pistachio cream dollop in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around to completely encase the filling. Seal the edges well so the cream stays inside while baking. This step requires a gentle touch but rewards you with that delightful gooey surprise.

Step 4: Chill and Bake

Place the stuffed dough balls in the refrigerator for an hour or freeze them for 20 minutes. This chilling step helps cookies keep their shape as they bake. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), arrange the cookies two inches apart on a parchment-lined baking tray, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for golden edges while keeping the centers soft – that perfect balance makes these cookies truly unforgettable.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the tray for about five minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling step prevents breakage and ensures every bite stays perfectly tender but holds together. Once cooled, they’re ready to be enjoyed with a glass of milk, a coffee, or simply on their own as a blissful treat.

How to Serve Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe

Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

These cookies shine on their own but look stunning when dusted lightly with powdered sugar or drizzled with a bit of melted dark chocolate. A sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios on top adds extra color and texture, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.

Side Dishes

If you’re hosting a gathering, pair these cookies with pistachio latte or a scoop of pistachio ice cream for an elevated pistachio experience. Fresh strawberries also complement the nutty sweetness with their bright acidity, balancing flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming touch, serve your Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe stacked on a rustic wooden board alongside small bowls of pistachio cream for extra dipping. You can also sandwich two cookies with a bit more pistachio cream between them for an elegant cookie sandwich that looks and tastes fabulous.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, ensuring they maintain their softness and freshness. Placing a slice of bread in the container helps keep them moist longer by absorbing excess air humidity.

Freezing

Baked cookies freeze wonderfully for up to three months. Store them in a sealed freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to indulge again, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few minutes.

Reheating

Warm your cookies in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to revive that freshly baked warmth and gooey pistachio cream filling. This quick reheat brings back the magical just-out-of-the-oven experience every time.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pistachio cream?

Absolutely! While homemade pistachio cream adds a wonderful homemade touch, quality store-bought pistachio cream works perfectly as a convenient option without sacrificing flavor.

Why do I need to freeze the pistachio cream before stuffing?

Freezing solidifies the pistachio cream so it doesn’t melt or leak while the cookies bake. This helps keep the centers beautifully creamy and intact.

Can I substitute the dark chocolate chunks?

Yes, you can swap dark chocolate chunks for white or milk chocolate if you prefer a different sweetness level. Just keep the quantity similar to maintain the cookie’s texture balance.

What if I don’t have roasted pistachios?

Roasting pistachios brings out their nutty flavor powerhouse, but if you only have raw ones, a quick toast in a dry pan for a few minutes can replicate that wonderful taste.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

As written, this Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour and is not gluten-free. However, you could experiment with a gluten-free flour blend to make a variation suitable for gluten-sensitive folks.

Final Thoughts

This Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe is a true showstopper that combines the best of creamy, nutty, and chocolatey elements in one gorgeous bite. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, these cookies promise to bring smiles and cravings for more. Give this recipe a try and watch how it quickly becomes one of your favorites too!

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Pistachio Cream Cookies Recipe

Delight in these rich and nutty Pistachio Cream Cookies featuring a buttery dough studded with roasted pistachios and dark chocolate chunks, encasing a luscious Italian-style pistachio cream filling. Perfectly soft with golden edges, these cookies offer a delightful blend of textures and flavors that pistachio lovers will adore.

  • Author: Ella
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 12 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Cookies
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • ½ cup roasted pistachios, chopped
  • ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks

Filling

  • About ¼ cup pistachio cream (~½ tsp per cookie)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pistachio Cream Filling: Line a small baking tray with parchment paper and place ½-teaspoon-sized dollops of pistachio cream on it. Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes until firm to make stuffing easier.
  2. Make the Cookie Dough: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until combined. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, then fold in the chopped pistachios and dark chocolate chunks gently to avoid overmixing.
  3. Stuff the Cookies: Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten slightly in your palm. Place a frozen pistachio cream dollop in the center, then wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely to avoid leakage during baking.
  4. Chill and Bake: Chill the stuffed dough balls in the refrigerator for 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes to firm up. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the dough balls 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking tray. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden but centers remain soft.
  5. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy these luscious pistachio treats.

Notes

  • Freezing the pistachio cream filling prevents leakage during baking and makes stuffing easier.
  • Avoid overbaking; cookies should remain soft inside as they continue to bake slightly after removal.
  • Using roasted pistachios enhances the nutty flavor of the cookies.
  • Fold in chocolate chunks last to prevent overmixing and to maintain chunk texture.
  • Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

Keywords: pistachio cookies, pistachio cream, stuffed cookies, chocolate chunk cookies, nutty cookies, homemade pistachio spread

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