Crispy along the edges and chewy in the center, these white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies are perfect for the holiday season.
Sweet dried tart cranberries and crunchy salty pistachios team up together with sweet white chocolate in this recipe.
I was looking for a classic holiday cookie for a cookie exchange party featuring the traditional Christmas colors of red and green.
I wanted something salty but sweet and a recipe that guarantees two dozen cookies.
My first batch of cookies fell flat and were too sweet for my taste.
A few adjustments and the results are the best cookie that’s crispy around the edges with a chewy soft center.
There are so many cookie recipes in cookbooks and online that sometimes it’s hard to figure out which one is the right recipe to use.
I found this guide from Handle the Heat quite helpful.
There are so many factors that go into making the perfect cookie.
Because there are so many basic chocolate cookie recipes out there, no two recipes ever turn out the same.
Everyone has a different preference when it comes to classic chocolate chip cookies.
My mom likes a flatter cookie. I like a chewier cookie. My kids love a cookie that is cakey.
My recipe is a perfect combination that’s sure to please all mouths.
Should I use baking soda or baking powder question?
I used both. Using both leaveners resulted in crisp cookies with chewy soft centers.
Should I use melted butter or softened butter?
My first test run used softened butter and two whole eggs. The result was a flatter cookie.
For this recipe, I reduced the eggs to one whole egg and one egg yolk and used cooled melted butter. This egg and butter mixture was the right one.
Should I chill the dough?
This recipe has the right flour-to-butter consistency and did not require it. But, if it is too sticky to handle, then refrigerate the dough for an hour before hand.
What can I use other than pistachios?
I did use pistachio nuts for this cookie recipe but hazelnuts, walnuts or pecans make a delicious and crunchy substitution.
Green pistachios can be pricey and I did have to remove them from their shells.
Be sure to scroll down for the necessary baking accessories you’ll need to make these cookies.
More cookies and candies for your Christmas Party
PECAN BUTTERBALL COOKIES
HOW TO MAKE BUCKEYES (OHIO’S FAVORITE CANDY)
PERFECT SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE
SALTED NUT BRITTLE
EASY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE RECIPE – 3 INGREDIENTS
Remember to subscribe to HOME & PLATE NEWSLETTER to get the latest recipes delivered directly to your inbox!
If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating. Be sure to follow HOME & PLATE on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all the latest content, recipes and updates.
The Best White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup salted butter, melted and cooled
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/ 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup salted, shelled pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two cookie trays with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a medium bowl and cool completely. Using a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugars at medium speed for one minute until creamy and the consistency of frosting.
- Next add in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla and mix for an additional minute. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl and mix again until combined.
- In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda and baking powder.
- Mix the flour mixture gradually into the wet ingredients until the ingredients are just combined.
- Stir in the white chocolate chips, pistachios and dried cranberries by hand.
- Roll spoonfuls of the batter into 2 tablespoon-sized balls. Place the cookie dough on parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 15 minutes, flipping the sheet around halfway through baking.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes before removing them to cool further on wire racks.
- Store the white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies in an airtight container.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure policy.
If you make a recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #homeandplate. I’d love to see what you cook!
These white chocolate cranberry pistachio cookies are perfect for the Christmas season. I love that they are both salty and sweet which makes the perfect cookie.
I agree…salty and sweet is my favorite combination in a cookie. Hope you enjoy 🙂
I’ve never made white chocolate cookies but these look fabulous! Love the use of cranberries and pistachios! I have some pistachios I bought in Sicily which I need to use up! Now I know what I want to make with them!
Thanks Jacqueline…these are the perfect red and green cookies to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy!
These cookies look hard to resist! I love the cranberry.
The sweet and salty are my favorite combination. 🙂
These pistachio cookies looks to die for…must bake for this festive season ..with cranberries in it am sure it tastes fabulous
They are a favorite of mine and lovely for the holidays. They are the perfect festive treat.
White chocolate, pistachio and cranberry! What a fantastic combination of flavors. I’ll have to try these at home.
They were a hit at my party. The flavor combination of sweet and salty is a winner 🙂