If you are searching for a delightful treat that perfectly balances nutty and sweet flavors, this Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need! These cookies are a heavenly combination of buttery dough, crunchy green pistachios, and luscious semi-sweet chocolate chips. Each bite offers an irresistible texture with a vibrant pop of pistachio green that not only tastes amazing but also makes the cookies a feast for the eyes. Whether for an afternoon snack or an elegant dessert, this recipe will quickly become your favorite go-to for cookie cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these irresistible Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll need a handful of simple, yet essential ingredients. Each plays a crucial role: the butter brings richness, sugars add perfect sweetness and texture, pistachios provide crunch and flavor, while the chocolate chips add delightful gooeyness. Here’s what you’ll use:
- 150 g Unsalted butter (room temperature): Allows for easy creaming and adds creamy richness.
- 100 g Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s crisp edges.
- 50 g Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- 1 Egg (room temperature): Binds the ingredients and helps with the cookie’s soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- 125 g All purpose flour: The sturdy base for your cookies.
- 60 g Pistachios (ground, non-salted, shelled): Adds earthy nuttiness when mixed with the flour.
- 1 Teaspoon Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- 1 Teaspoon Baking soda: Provides lift and creates the perfect cookie texture.
- 115 g Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Contributes melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- 85 g Chopped pistachios (non-salted, shelled): Adds crunch and visual appeal when folded in and topped.
How to Make Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by whipping your room temperature butter with both the granulated and brown sugars using an electric hand mixer. Continue beating for several minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. This step is essential because it incorporates air into the dough, resulting in tender cookies.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, whip in the egg along with the vanilla extract until everything is smoothly combined. Using room temperature eggs helps the ingredients blend well without curdling, ensuring a uniform cookie dough.
Step 3: Prepare the Pistachio-Flour Blend
Take the smaller portion of pistachios and pulse them in a food processor with the all-purpose flour until they’re finely ground. This pistachio-flour mix will infuse the cookies with nutty depth. Then whisk this mixture together with the salt and baking soda to evenly distribute these dry ingredients.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Fold the pistachio-flour blend gently into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix here to avoid tough cookies—stir until just combined is perfect for achieving the right texture.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips and Chopped Pistachios
Finally, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the chopped pistachios. Reserve a handful of both to sprinkle on top just before baking. This adds visual appeal and an extra crunch on the cookie surface.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Scoop dough balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them to allow for spreading. I recommend using an ice cream scooper to keep sizes consistent, aiming for about 10 to 12 cookies. Chill the dough for at least one hour to help the flavors meld and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). After the dough has chilled, bake the cookies for 12 minutes. Then carefully press the reserved chocolate chips and chopped pistachios on top of each cookie and continue baking for another 4 to 6 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the centers are set. Oven times may vary slightly, so keep a close eye to avoid overbaking.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period lets them set perfectly, achieving that delightful chewy yet crisp texture.
How to Serve Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate these cookies for any occasion, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few extra chopped pistachios right before baking. You can also drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies for a pretty finishing touch that tastes as good as it looks.
Side Dishes
These Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or a creamy vanilla ice cream scoop. The creamy and nutty flavors in the cookies complement a variety of drinks and desserts, enhancing your overall experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, serve these cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board or presented in a colorful tin with parchment paper. You can also sandwich them with a dollop of pistachio buttercream or chocolate spread for an indulgent twist that will impress friends and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your fresh batch, store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keeping them sealed prevents them from drying out, maintaining their wonderful soft yet slightly crunchy texture.
Freezing
If you want to save these cookies for later, they freeze beautifully! Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature or warm slightly for that just-baked feel.
Reheating
To revive a cookie’s fresh-baked softness, pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm briefly in a low-temperature oven. This little trick brings out the gooey charm of the chocolate chips and brightens the nutty pistachio flavor.
FAQs
Can I use roasted pistachios instead of raw?
You can use roasted pistachios, but make sure they are unsalted to avoid altering the cookie’s flavor balance. Roasting intensifies the nut flavor, which some people love, but it may slightly change the texture of the dough.
Why should the butter and egg be at room temperature?
Room temperature butter creams smoothly with sugar, incorporating air for light cookies, while room temperature eggs blend evenly without causing the butter to seize up or curdle. This ensures a smooth, consistent dough.
Can I substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with another type?
Absolutely! You can use dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Just keep in mind different chocolates can impact sweetness and melting properties.
How long should I chill the cookie dough?
Chilling for at least one hour is ideal as it solidifies the fats in the dough, leading to thicker cookies that hold their shape better during baking and have enhanced flavors.
What’s the best way to get soft yet slightly crisp cookies?
Using this recipe’s combination of butter and sugars, plus chilling the dough beforehand and carefully monitoring baking time, will get you that perfect balance of softness inside with crisp golden edges.
Final Thoughts
This Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a delicious journey from simple ingredients to a splendidly textured, flavor-packed cookie that will brighten any day. Whether you bake them for yourself or to share, they bring joy in every bite. Don’t hesitate—grab your pistachios and chocolate chips and treat yourself to these delightful cookies soon!
Print
Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours including chilling time
- Yield: 12 cookies
Description
Delicious Pistachio Cookies featuring a rich blend of ground pistachios and semi-sweet chocolate chips, resulting in a chewy, nutty treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. These cookies are baked to golden perfection after chilling the dough to enhance flavors and texture.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 150 g Unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g Granulated sugar
- 50 g Brown sugar
- 1 Egg (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 125 g All purpose flour
- 60 g Pistachios (green pistachios, non salted, without the shell, to be processed with the flour)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
Add-ins
- 115 g Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 85 g Pistachios (chopped green pistachios, non-salted, without the shell, to be folded in with the chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Whip Butter and Sugars: Using an electric hand mixer, whip the room temperature unsalted butter along with the granulated sugar and brown sugar for several minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, and whip until fully combined, creating a smooth, creamy base.
- Prepare Pistachio-Flour Mix: In a food processor, process the 60 g of pistachios together with the all-purpose flour until finely ground. Then whisk this pistachio-flour mixture with the salt and baking soda until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Fold the pistachio-flour mixture gently into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Chopped Pistachios: Fold in the 115 g semi-sweet chocolate chips and 85 g chopped pistachios, reserving a small handful of each to sprinkle on top before baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Shape Dough Balls: Using an ice cream scooper, portion the dough into 10-12 equal-sized balls and arrange them spaced apart on the parchment-lined sheets. Chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for one hour to firm up and enhance flavor.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) without fan to ensure even baking.
- Bake Cookies Partially: Bake the chilled dough balls for 12 minutes initially. Then remove the trays briefly to add the reserved handful of chocolate chips and chopped pistachios on top of each cookie.
- Finish Baking: Return the trays to the oven and bake for an additional 4-6 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are set but still slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain a chewy center.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies rest for a few minutes on the baking sheets before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Storage: Store the fully cooled cookies at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before baking is essential to control spreading and deepen the flavor.
- Using room temperature butter and egg is important for proper mixing and achieving a fluffy texture.
- Do not overbake the cookies as they will firm up while cooling, maintaining a soft, chewy center.
- Non-salted pistachios are used to control the salt content and balance flavors.
- If preferred, store cookies in an airtight container to preserve texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
