Name: White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature; ½ cup packed brown sugar; ½ cup white sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt (add only if using unsalted nuts); 1 cup white chocolate chips; ½ cup chopped shelled pistachio nuts; 1 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries)

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 6 reviews

If you are on the lookout for a cookie that perfectly captures the spirit of the holidays with an irresistible blend of flavors and colors, the White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies bring together the subtle sweetness of white chocolate, the tart burst of cranberries, and the satisfying crunch of pistachios, all wrapped up in a soft, chewy treat. Whether you want a festive snack to share with friends or a warm indulgence with your afternoon tea, this recipe is as joyful to make as it is to eat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a clear glass mixing bowl containing four distinct layers of ingredients. In the bottom layer, there is a beige dough-like mixture. On the top left, there is a pile of dark red dried cranberries with a wrinkled texture. On the top right, there are light green chopped pistachios with a slightly rough texture. At the bottom center, there are smooth, white chocolate chips in a rounded shape. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that each play a crucial role in creating the perfect cookie texture and flavor combination. From the richness of butter to the zing of dried cranberries, every component is carefully chosen to complement one another.

½ cup unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature, it ensures a tender cookie with rich flavor.
½ cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle hint of caramel to the dough.
½ cup white sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create a crispy edge.
¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially important if your pistachios are unsalted.
1 egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookies’ chewiness.
1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract: Infuses a warm aroma and depth to the cookie base.
1½ cups all-purpose flour: The structure of your cookie, providing just the right density.
½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve the ideal texture.
1 cup white chocolate chips: Melts beautifully for sweet, creamy pockets within every bite.
½ cup chopped shelled pistachio nuts: Adds a satisfying crunch and a gorgeous green contrast.
1 cup dried cranberries: Bursts of tartness that brighten the overall flavor profile.

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your cookie sheet. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, setting the stage for success.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with both brown and white sugars. Using an electric mixer, beat this mixture until it becomes fluffy and pale, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This creaming step is essential, as it incorporates air into the dough, helping the cookies become wonderfully soft and chewy.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract with the creamed butter and sugar until fully combined. These ingredients add moisture and flavor complexity, rounding out the cookie dough’s base.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk or stir them together to ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed, which will help the cookies rise consistently.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Carefully stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a wooden spoon, mixing just until combined. Overmixing here can lead to tough cookies, so gentle folding preserves the perfect tender crumb.

Step 6: Add White Chocolate, Cranberries, and Pistachios

Fold in the white chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, and dried cranberries, distributing these festive ingredients evenly throughout the dough. Their colors and textures make these cookies not only delicious but also visually charming.

Step 7: Shape and Bake

Drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto your greased cookie sheet, spacing them to allow spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges just start to turn a beautiful golden brown. Then, let the cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe

A close-up of several light golden brown cookies stacked on a white plate with a smooth edge. Each cookie has a soft texture with visible white chocolate chips, bright red dried cranberries, and green pistachios embedded across the surface. The cookies appear slightly thick with small cracks, highlighting their tender texture. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an added touch of elegance and crunch, sprinkle a few pistachio halves or extra dried cranberries on top of the cookies just as they come out of the oven before cooling. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also turn these treats into a pretty presentation for holiday gatherings.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm drink like spiced chai or a rich cup of coffee. If serving at a party, consider placing them alongside a bowl of fresh cranberries or pistachio nuts to highlight the key ingredients.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your cookies in a layered tin wrapped with a festive ribbon to give as a heartfelt gift. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies with a thin layer of white chocolate ganache or cream cheese frosting for an indulgent twist that guests will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and prevent staleness. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for batch baking ahead of time.

Freezing

If you want to make these cookies well in advance, you can freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet and then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. Bake directly from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Fully baked cookies can also be frozen for up to two months; just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, simply microwave the cookies for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them in a low oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes. This softens the white chocolate and perks up the cookie texture beautifully.

FAQs

Can I substitute the pistachios with another nut?

Absolutely! While pistachios provide a unique flavor and vibrant green color, you can swap them for walnuts, pecans, or almonds to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will shift slightly.

What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?

If you can’t find white chocolate chips, chopping a white chocolate bar into small chunks works just as well. You could also experiment with milk or dark chocolate chips for a different twist.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

Not as written, since they contain all-purpose flour. However, you can try using a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup for cup to make the White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe gluten-free. Just check that your baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Can I make these vegan?

To make a vegan version, replace the butter with a plant-based margarine and substitute the egg with a flax egg or another egg replacement. Be sure to use vegan white chocolate chips as well for a fully plant-based treat.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking if possible. This helps control spreading and keeps the cookies thick and chewy.

Final Thoughts

I cannot recommend the White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Cookies Recipe enough if you want a fun and festive treat that’s surprisingly easy to make but looks and tastes like a much-loved holiday tradition. With every bite featuring sweet, tart, and nutty notes, these cookies are a guaranteed hit at any gathering or a delightful sweet moment just for yourself. Give this recipe a try, and you might just find your new go-to cookie for the season and beyond.