Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

The Dreamiest Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Crafting delectable pistachio cream chocolate chip cookies at home brings pure joy to baking enthusiasts.

Unexpected flavor combinations can spark culinary excitement in your kitchen.

Nutty pistachios blend beautifully with smooth chocolate chips, creating a sophisticated twist on classic cookie recipes.

Sweet kernels scattered throughout tender dough promise a delightful sensory experience.

Creamy undertones and rich chocolate deliver an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will appreciate this simple yet elegant recipe.

Unleash your inner pastry chef and surprise everyone with these extraordinary treats!

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Essentials

Core Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich, flavorful base for cookie texture and depth.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and caramelization for soft cookie structure.
  • Egg: Binding agent for dough cohesion and moisture.
Flour and Leavening:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Primary structural component for cookie.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Provides rise and light texture to cookies.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic background flavor.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall taste.
Filling and Mix-Ins:
  • Pistachio Cream: Creamy, nutty center providing unique flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Chips: Rich chocolate pockets throughout the cookie.
  • Crushed Pistachios: Adds crunch and nutty texture.
Optional Topping:
  • Extra Pistachio Cream: Additional creamy drizzle on finished cookies.

Pistachio Cream Cookies with Chocolate Chips Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Pistachio Cream Centers

Create small round balls of pistachio cream and place them on a parchment-lined tray.

Pop these balls into the freezer so they become firm and easy to handle during cookie assembly.

Step 2: Transform Butter Into Liquid Gold

Heat butter in a saucepan over medium flame, stirring occasionally.

Watch as the butter transforms, turning a gorgeous amber color with delightful brown specks dancing at the bottom.

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

Ensure you have the right amount of browned goodness.

Step 3: Mix The Magical Cookie Base

Combine the cooled browned butter with brown and white sugars, whisking until perfectly blended.

Introduce the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until silky smooth.

Gently fold in dry ingredients:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Stop mixing when just a few flour streaks remain.

Tenderly fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Crushed pistachios

Step 4: Create Cookie Treasure Pockets

Scoop generous portions of dough and flatten them in your palm.

Place a frozen pistachio cream ball in the center, then lovingly wrap the dough around it, sealing completely.

Shape into perfect round balls.

Step 5: Chill And Develop Flavor

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

This waiting period allows flavors to mingle and develop depth.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Arrange chilled dough balls with ample spacing.

For extra decadence, drizzle additional pistachio cream on top.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden.

Step 7: Final Touches Of Elegance

Immediately after baking, use a round cup or biscuit cutter to shape cookies into perfect circles.

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

  • Prepare frozen pistachio cream balls ahead of time to make assembly easier and prevent messy handling during cookie creation.
  • Watch butter carefully while browning to develop rich, nutty flavor without burning; use visual and smell cues to achieve perfect amber color.
  • Ensure pistachio cream center is fully enclosed within cookie dough to prevent leaking during baking and maintain a smooth, clean appearance.
  • Refrigerate dough balls before baking to prevent excessive spreading and help cookies maintain a perfect round shape with crisp edges.
  • Use a cup or biscuit cutter to reshape warm cookies right out of the oven, creating professional-looking, perfectly circular treats with clean edges.

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies: Storage Notes

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Freeze for maximum 1 month to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
  • Warm individual cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 325°F for 3-4 minutes until slightly crisp and soft centers return.
  • Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore original texture.

Pairing Favorites for Pistachio Cream Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Chai Latte: Balance the rich, nutty cookies with a warm, spiced chai latte that complements the pistachio and chocolate flavors.
  • Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a luxurious dessert experience by topping a slightly warm cookie with a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream.
  • Match with Sweet Moscato Wine: Enhance the dessert's sweetness with a light, fruity Moscato that brings out the pistachio cream's delicate notes.
  • Complement with Salted Caramel Espresso: Elevate the cookie's complexity with a bold espresso shot drizzled with salted caramel sauce, cutting through the richness.

Pistachio Cookies Texture or Nut Changes

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure chocolate chips are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Transformation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version.
  • Nut-Free Alternative: Substitute pistachios with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, and use a seed-based cream instead of pistachio cream for those with nut allergies.
  • Lower-Sugar Option: Reduce sugar quantities by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and select dark chocolate with higher cocoa content to minimize added sugars.

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 little oil until it becomes a creamy consistency. You can buy it pre-made or create your own by grinding pistachios in a food processor with some powdered sugar and a touch of neutral oil.

  • Why do I need to brown the butter?

Browning butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to the cookies by caramelizing the milk solids. This technique creates deeper, more complex taste notes that elevate the overall flavor profile of the chocolate chip cookies.

  • Can I skip freezing the pistachio cream centers?

No, freezing the pistachio cream centers is crucial because it prevents them from melting too quickly during baking. Frozen centers help maintain the structural integrity of the cookie and ensure a perfect filling when you bite into the cookie.

  • Why do I need to use a cup to reshape the cookies after baking?

Using a round cup or biscuit cutter immediately after baking helps create perfectly round, professional-looking cookies. The cookies are still soft when they come out of the oven, so you can easily nudge the edges into a perfect circular shape before they set and cool.

Why Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Are a Nice Surprise

  • Surprise-Filled Delight: Discover a cookie that breaks the mold with its hidden pistachio cream center, transforming an ordinary treat into a gourmet experience.
  • Quick Flavor Hack: Brown the butter to unlock deep, nutty caramel notes that elevate the entire cookie's taste profile, creating a restaurant-quality dessert at home.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough balls up to 2 days in advance or freeze for a month, giving you instant access to fresh, warm cookies whenever cravings strike.
  • Impressive Technique Boost: Master professional pastry skills like browning butter and creating perfectly sealed stuffed cookies, impressing family and friends with your baking prowess.
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Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent pistachio cream chocolate chip cookies blend nutty richness with classic sweetness, creating a luxurious dessert experience. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and unexpected pistachio notes elevate these cookies beyond ordinary treats you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 tablespoons (120 ml) pistachio cream
  • 113 grams (1/2 cup or 4 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 160 grams (1 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 100 grams (1/2 cup) chocolate

Sweet Components:

  • 100 grams (1/2 cup) light brown sugar
  • 50 grams (1/4 cup) granulated sugar

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 45 grams (1/3 cup) pistachios, crushed
  • Extra pistachio cream for topping

Instructions

  1. Craft delicate frozen pistachio cream spheres by portioning tablespoon-sized dollops onto a parchment-lined tray, then freeze for optimal handling and structural integrity.
  2. Transform butter into a rich, nutty essence through careful browning over medium heat, watching for amber coloration and delicate brown specks forming at the pan’s base.
  3. Transfer browned butter to a mixing vessel and rapidly chill in the freezer, ensuring precise liquid volume for the recipe’s success.
  4. Combine the cooled browned butter with both sugar varieties, creating a smooth, homogeneous mixture that serves as the flavor foundation.
  5. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
  6. Gently fold dry ingredients – flour, leavening agents, and salt – into the wet mixture, maintaining a delicate touch to preserve the dough’s tender structure.
  7. Delicately fold chocolate fragments and crushed pistachios throughout the dough, distributing ingredients with minimal manipulation.
  8. Portion generous dough sections, flattening each into a disc that will cradle the frozen pistachio cream center.
  9. Carefully encase the frozen pistachio cream ball within the dough, ensuring complete and secure sealing to prevent leakage during baking.
  10. Refrigerate assembled dough spheres, allowing flavors to meld and structural proteins to relax for enhanced texture.
  11. Preheat the oven, preparing a parchment-lined baking surface for precise cookie development.
  12. Arrange chilled dough balls with strategic spacing, optionally adorning with additional pistachio cream for enhanced visual and flavor complexity.
  13. Bake until edges achieve a golden-brown hue, signaling perfect caramelization and textural development.
  14. Immediately after removing from the oven, utilize a circular implement to reshape and refine cookie edges, creating a professional, uniform appearance.
  15. Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack, permitting residual heat to complete the textural transformation.

Notes

  • Chill the pistachio cream balls thoroughly before using to prevent messy handling and ensure clean, precise cookie centers.
  • Brown the butter carefully to develop rich, nutty flavors without burning, watching for golden amber color and delicate brown specks.
  • Refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and create a more concentrated, chewy texture during baking.
  • Use a round cutter or cup immediately after baking to shape cookies while they’re still soft, creating perfectly round edges with minimal effort.
  • Prep Time: 50 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 156
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 16 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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