Festive White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe

Jolly White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe

Warm, freshly baked white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies fill the kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone closer.

Festive and elegant, these cookies combine sweet white chocolate with tart cranberries and crunchy pistachios for a delightful treat.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance on your palate.

The recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry.

Soft and chewy edges give way to a rich, buttery center studded with colorful mix-ins.

These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, quiet afternoons, or whenever you need a delicious pick-me-up.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear faster than you can say “cookie love.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 182 kcal

Servings: 22

Inside White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

For Cookie Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the perfect cookie texture, choose unbleached flour for better flavor.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensuring a light and crisp exterior.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
For Sweeteners and Moisture:
  • Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Creates deep caramel notes and helps achieve a chewy, soft cookie texture.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides moisture, ensuring a cohesive cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile, use pure vanilla for the best taste.
For Mix-Ins and Flavor Boosters:
  • White Chocolate Chips: Provides creamy sweetness and luxurious melting pockets throughout the cookie.
  • Dried Cranberries: Adds tangy brightness and chewy texture, choose plump and soft cranberries for best results.
  • Pistachios: Introduces nutty crunch and beautiful green color, toast lightly for enhanced flavor before chopping.

Baking Tools for White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

  • Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugars to fluffy perfection.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for gently mixing dry and wet ingredients.
  • Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
  • Whisk: Helps blend flour, baking soda, and salt evenly.
  • Cookie sheet: Provides space for baking cookies.
  • Parchment paper: Optional but helpful for easy cookie removal.
  • Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts.

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

  • Creamy Butter Base

Mix softened butter with brown and white sugars using an electric mixer until the texture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundation for delicious cookies.

  • Moisture and Flavor Boost

Add egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to enhance the cookie’s richness and create a harmonious flavor profile.

  • Dry Ingredient Harmony

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then gently incorporate into the butter mixture, stirring until just mixed to maintain a tender texture.

  • Delightful Mix-Ins

Carefully fold white chocolate chips, crunchy pistachios, and tart cranberries into the dough, distributing them evenly for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

  • Baking Preparation

Place spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each dollop for spreading during baking.

  • Golden Perfection

Bake in a preheated oven until edges turn a delicate golden color, typically around 8-10 minutes, ensuring a soft and chewy center.

  • Cooling Transformation

Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack, allowing them to set and develop their ultimate texture and flavor.

Tips for White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Perfection

  • Swap dried cranberries with dried cherries or blueberries for a fruity twist.
  • Replace pistachios with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds if you have nut allergies.
  • Toast pistachios before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, crunchier texture.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft and fresh for up to 5 days.

Serving Your White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

  • Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and dusted powdered sugar for a stunning seasonal presentation.
  • Gourmet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or cookie exchanges.
  • Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a warm mug of white chocolate mocha or spiced chai tea to complement the cookies' rich flavors and create a cozy treat experience.
  • Afternoon Tea Elegance: Display cookies on a delicate china plate with a small bowl of extra chopped pistachios for garnish, elevating the casual snack to an elegant afternoon tea moment.

Storing White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

  • Freshness First: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delicious. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Cookie Freezer Magic: Wrap individual cookies or entire batches in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen cookies stay tasty for 2-3 months, perfect for sudden sweet cravings.
  • Smart Dough Strategy: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze raw dough balls for spontaneous baking. Simply thaw and bake when cookie mood strikes.
  • Make-Ahead Masterplan: Create a double batch and share with friends or save some for later. Gift-wrapped cookies become instant crowd-pleasers at potlucks, family gatherings, or holiday celebrations.
Print
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Festive White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe

Festive White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies


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4.7 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 22 1x

Description

Sweet white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies blend festive flavors with creamy richness. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these treats irresistible for holiday gatherings and cozy winter afternoons.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups (192 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (150 g) dried cranberries
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (60 g) chopped shelled pistachio nuts

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Creaming: Whip softened butter with brown and white sugars using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, pale mixture that promises delectable texture.
  3. Wet Ingredients: Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to achieve a uniform, silky consistency that will bind the cookie’s structure.
  4. Dry Foundation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, creating a delicate dry mixture that will provide the cookie’s essential framework.
  5. Dough Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, using minimal strokes to preserve the dough’s tender nature, then carefully integrate white chocolate chips, crushed pistachios, and dried cranberries for a symphony of flavors and textures.
  6. Portioning: Distribute generous dough mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them generously to allow for elegant spreading during baking.
  7. Baking and Finishing: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges develop a golden-brown hue, then allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to achieve perfect, delicate crispness.

Notes

  • Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture, creating a light and fluffy base.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies; mix just until ingredients are combined.
  • Spacing is Crucial: Leave enough room between cookie dough balls to allow proper spreading and prevent cookies from merging.
  • Cool Before Storing: Allow cookies to cool completely before storing to maintain their crisp edges and prevent moisture buildup.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 22
  • Calories: 182
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 56 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 18 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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