Perfect Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Baking delectable pistachio cream chocolate chip cookies might just be the most delightful adventure in your kitchen today.

Sweet meets nutty in this unexpected culinary twist.

Rich pistachios swirl through soft, chewy dough studded with decadent chocolate morsels.

Imagine a treat that dances between classic comfort and gourmet sophistication.

Chocolate and pistachio create a harmonious balance that will surprise your taste buds.

Textural contrasts make these cookies an irresistible indulgence.

Pistachio Chip Cookies That Everyone Asks You to Make Again

  • Surprise-Stuffed Delight: Each cookie hides a secret center of creamy pistachio goodness, creating an unexpected burst of flavor with every bite.
  • Quick-Chill Technique: Freezing pistachio cream balls and dough makes preparation smoother and ensures perfect cookie texture without complicated steps.
  • Flavor Adventure: Combining browned butter, chocolate chips, and crushed pistachios delivers a sophisticated taste profile that elevates classic chocolate chip cookies.
  • Baker-Friendly Design: The recipe offers flexible chilling options, allowing you to prepare dough in advance and bake fresh cookies whenever cravings strike.

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredient Guide

Cookie Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the perfect cookie.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for soft, rise cookies.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Fat and Sweet Components:
  • Unsalted Butter: Rich, nutty flavor from browning, adds depth to the cookie.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Creates moisture and caramelized sweetness.
Flavor and Filling Ingredients:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic bakery flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds melty chocolate pockets throughout the cookie.
  • Crushed Pistachios: Provides crunch and nutty texture.
  • Pistachio Cream: Creamy, rich filling with intense pistachio flavor.

Baking Pistachio Cream Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Step 1: Create Pistachio Cream Magic

Grab a parchment-lined tray and scoop small balls of pistachio cream.

Pop these little treasure balls into the freezer so they’ll be perfectly chilled and ready for their cookie adventure.

Step 2: Transform Butter Into Liquid Gold

Grab a saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat.

Swirl and watch as it transforms, turning amber with delightful brown specks dancing at the bottom.

Transfer the browned butter to a mixing bowl and give it a quick chill in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Mix Your Cookie Dough Symphony

Whisk the browned butter with brown and white sugars until they become best friends.

Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla, stirring until silky smooth.

Gently fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, leaving a few flour whispers behind.

Sprinkle in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Crushed pistachios

Mix until the dough just comes together.

Step 4: Craft Cookie Pockets of Joy

Scoop generous portions of dough into your palm.

Flatten each one and nestle a frozen pistachio cream ball right in the center.

Lovingly wrap the dough around the cream, sealing it completely into a perfect round ball.

Step 5: Chill and Anticipate

Cover your dough balls and let them relax in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

They can hang out here for up to 2 days or freeze for a month if you’re planning ahead.

Step 6: Bake Your Delicious Masterpiece

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Arrange the chilled dough balls with plenty of breathing room.

For extra indulgence, drizzle more pistachio cream on top.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges turn golden and gorgeous.

Step 7: Perfect Your Cookie Finale

Right after baking, use a round cup or biscuit cutter to gently shape the edges into a perfect circle.

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Scoop and freeze pistachio cream balls ahead of time to make filling cookies easier and prevent messy handling during assembly.
  • Watch butter carefully while browning to develop rich, nutty flavors without burning; use a light-colored pan to monitor color changes accurately.
  • Use a round cup or biscuit cutter to shape warm cookies immediately after baking, ensuring professional-looking, perfectly circular edges.
  • Refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Experiment with different chocolate types or add extra crushed pistachios on top for personalized flavor and crunch variations.

Store Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping layers separate to prevent sticking. Enjoy within 5 days for maximum freshness.
  • Individually wrap cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, gooey texture.
  • Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or reheating, ensuring they regain their delightful texture.

Matches for Pistachio Chip Cookies

  • Savor Rich Wine Pairing: Moscato d'Asti's sweet, light bubbles perfectly complement the nutty pistachio and chocolate complexity, cutting through the cookie's richness with delicate fruit notes.
  • Craft Complementary Tea Selection: Jasmine green tea offers a subtle floral elegance that enhances the pistachio's delicate flavor while providing a refreshing counterpoint to the cookie's buttery texture.
  • Create Decadent Coffee Match: Cold brew coffee with its smooth, less acidic profile balances the sweet chocolate and pistachio cream, creating a harmonious flavor experience that elevates each bite.
  • Design Unexpected Milk Combination: Salted caramel milk introduces a luxurious depth that amplifies the browned butter's nuttiness and creates a sophisticated dessert-like interaction with the cookies.

Pistachio Cookies Nutty Mix-Ups

  • Gluten-Free Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Pistachio Cream Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based version that maintains the rich, nutty flavor.
  • Lower-Sugar Pistachio Cookies: Reduce sugar quantities by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and incorporate more crushed pistachios to enhance natural sweetness while keeping the cookie's indulgent character.
  • Nut-Free Alternative Cookie: Substitute pistachios with sunflower seed butter or tahini for those with nut allergies, maintaining the creamy center concept while ensuring safe consumption for individuals with nut restrictions.

FAQs

  • What is pistachio cream and how do I make it?

Pistachio cream is a smooth, nutty spread made by blending roasted pistachios with powdered sugar and a bit of oil until it becomes a creamy consistency. You can buy it pre-made or easily make it at home using a food processor.

  • Why brown the butter for this recipe?

Browning butter adds a rich, nutty flavor and deeper caramel notes to the cookies. The process involves cooking butter until the milk solids turn golden brown, creating a more complex and intense taste profile compared to regular melted butter.

  • Can I use store-bought pistachio butter instead of making pistachio cream?

Yes, you can substitute homemade pistachio cream with store-bought pistachio butter. Just ensure it’s smooth and not too runny. Some brands might be thicker or thinner, so adjust accordingly to get the right consistency for freezing.

  • How do I prevent the pistachio cream from leaking during baking?

Freezing the pistachio cream balls beforehand helps them stay intact. Make sure to completely seal the dough around the frozen cream ball, with no exposed areas. This technique prevents leakage and keeps the cream contained within the cookie.

Print
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Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Delightful pistachio cream chocolate chip cookies offer a luxurious twist on classic comfort. Green-hued pistachios and rich chocolate create an irresistible harmony you’ll crave with every delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 grams)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (255 grams)

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed (150 grams)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces or 96 grams) pistachio pudding mix (instant)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (280 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-In:

  • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for smooth cookie release.
  2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by whisking flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl, setting it aside for later incorporation.
  3. Transform butter into a creamy base by blending softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and pistachio pudding mix using an electric mixer until the texture becomes light and airy.
  4. Enhance the mixture by introducing eggs individually, thoroughly integrating each one, then infusing vanilla extract for additional depth of flavor.
  5. Delicately merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using low-speed mixing to maintain a tender cookie texture without overmixing.
  6. Enrich the cookie dough by gently folding chocolate chips and chopped pistachios throughout, ensuring even distribution of these delightful mix-ins.
  7. Form uniform cookie portions by using a tablespoon to scoop consistent dough balls, strategically placing them two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake the cookies until their edges display a subtle golden hue and centers appear just set, typically requiring 10-12 minutes of oven time.
  9. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes, facilitating initial cooling and structural stabilization, before transferring to wire racks for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Customize the texture by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, which helps prevent spreading and creates a chewier cookie.
  • Swap out regular chocolate chips for dark chocolate or white chocolate to enhance the pistachio flavor profile.
  • Toast chopped pistachios before adding to the dough to intensify their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same delicious results.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 205
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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