The Best Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies
Are you looking to take your baking repertoire to a whole new level? We all have a soft spot for the comforting aroma and taste of a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie, fresh from the oven. It is, after all, a timeless favourite. But what if we told you that you could transform that cherished classic into something truly exceptional, a bake that is both wonderfully familiar and thrillingly different? We have developed the ultimate recipe that combines the classic appeal of a chocolate chip cookie with the sophisticated, nutty charm of Italian pistachios. Allow us to introduce your new go-to treat: Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies.
These are no ordinary biscuits. We have artfully swirled rich, smooth pistachio cream directly into our cookie dough, which creates a stunning marbled pattern and infuses every mouthful with a deep, toasted nut flavour. Combined with a generous measure of both white and dark chocolate chips, the outcome is a flawlessly balanced cookie that is sweet, a little salty, and completely irresistible. This recipe is a nod to classic Italian flavours, giving it the feel of a truly Italian cookie inspired delight. Prepare to wow your friends, family, and, most importantly, your own palate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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- An Exquisite Blend of Flavours: The pairing of creamy pistachio with rich chocolate is a culinary match made in heaven. It’s a refined twist that elevates the humble chocolate chip cookie into a gourmet indulgence.
- The Ideal Chewy Texture: We have fine-tuned the ingredient ratios to guarantee these cookies have wonderfully crisp edges while boasting soft, chewy centres that remain perfect for days.
- Visually Delightful: The beautiful green swirls from the pistachio cream make these cookies as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the taste buds. They look as though they have come from an artisan bakery!
- Remarkably Easy to Make: Despite their sophisticated look and taste, this recipe relies on simple, clear techniques. We will walk you through every stage, making it accessible for bakers of all experience levels.
- The Perfect Make-Ahead Bake: The cookie dough benefits from chilling, a step which not only enhances the flavour but also makes it ideal for preparing ahead of time. You can bake a few at a time for a fresh, warm treat whenever the mood strikes.
Ingredients
- 225g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 150g light brown sugar, packed
- 100g granulated sugar
- 2 large free-range eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 130g smooth pistachio cream (sweetened)
- 300g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150g white chocolate chips or chunks
- 150g dark chocolate chips or chunks (at least 50% cocoa)
- 50g shelled pistachios, roughly chopped (optional, for texture and garnish)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
The Secret to Perfect Pistachio Flavored Cookies: The Cream
The true star of this recipe is, unquestionably, the pistachio cream. This luscious, velvety spread is what gives our cookies their signature colour and profound nutty flavour. You can usually source it from larger supermarkets or specialist Italian delis. It is often sold sweetened, which we have factored into this recipe’s sugar measurements. If you are feeling particularly creative, you could even make your own. For a wonderful recipe and guide, have a look at our post on Homemade Pistachio Cream.
When incorporating the pistachio cream into the cookie dough, we suggest you avoid over-mixing it. The aim is to achieve lovely swirls and pockets of intense pistachio goodness, rather than a uniformly green dough. This marbled effect is essential to the cookie’s visual appeal and taste, ensuring that some bites are more chocolate-focused while others are intensely nutty.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies
Are you ready to bake a batch of these phenomenal cookies? We have broken the entire method down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Just follow along, and you will be rewarded with the finest cookies you have ever tasted.
Preparing the Dough
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using either an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with the light brown and granulated sugars. Continue on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This is a vital step as it incorporates air, which helps to produce a tender cookie. For more on the science of this process, King Arthur Baking explains the creaming method perfectly.
- Incorporate the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one by one, making sure to beat well after each is added. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
- Swirl in the Pistachio Cream: Add the pistachio cream to the bowl. Mix on a low speed for no more than 15-20 seconds, just until it is loosely streaked through the butter mixture. Be careful not to fully incorporate it; you want to maintain those distinct swirls of green.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt.
- Mix the Dough: Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on a low speed until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can develop the gluten, which results in tough cookies.
- Fold in the Goodies: Using a spatula, gently fold in the white and dark chocolate chips, along with the optional chopped pistachios. The dough will feel quite soft at this stage.
The Importance of Chilling the Dough
We understand how tempting it is to bake the cookies immediately, but this next step is absolutely essential for achieving the perfect texture. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which stops the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and results in thicker, chewier bakes. It also gives the flavours time to meld and intensify. Cover your bowl with cling film and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight (for up to 72 hours).
Baking to Perfection
- Preheat and Prepare: When you are ready to start baking, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan) and line two large baking trays with baking parchment.
- Scoop the Dough: Use a medium cookie scoop (roughly 2 tablespoons) to portion out balls of the chilled dough. Arrange them on the prepared trays, leaving plenty of room between each one to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are a lovely golden brown and the centres still appear slightly underbaked. Do not worry about taking them out when they look a little soft in the middle – they will firm up as they cool on the hot tray.
- Cool Down: Allow the cookies to cool on their baking trays for 5-10 minutes. This helps them to set properly. While they are still warm, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top. This simple touch wonderfully enhances the flavour of both the chocolate and the pistachio. Afterwards, move them to a wire rack to cool down completely.
Tips for the Best Nutty Cookies Every Time
To guarantee your cookies are bakery-worthy with every bake, just keep these straightforward tips in mind.
- Room Temperature is Key: Using softened butter and room temperature eggs allows the ingredients to emulsify correctly, which leads to a smoother, more consistent dough.
- Measure Flour Accurately: For the most precise results, we always suggest weighing your ingredients. If you do not have kitchen scales, use the ‘spoon and level’ technique: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge.
- Don’t Compromise on Quality: The final taste of your gourmet chocolate chip cookies is highly dependent on the quality of your ingredients. Use a high-quality pistachio cream and chocolate for the very best flavour.
- Consistency is Your Friend: A cookie scoop helps to ensure that all your cookies are a uniform size, which means they will bake evenly throughout.
- Embrace the Chill: We cannot stress this enough – chilling the dough is the secret to a thick, chewy cookie with a more concentrated and delicious flavour.
FAQ
A New Cookie Jar Favourite
And there you have it – a cookie recipe that is set to become a new staple in your home. These Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies provide a wonderful balance of textures and a truly distinctive flavour profile that distinguishes them from the everyday. They possess the comforting heart of a classic chocolate chip cookie, yet with a sophisticated, nutty twist that feels both contemporary and timeless.
If you are a fan of modern twists on classics, you may also enjoy our recipe for Gooey Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookies. For now, though, it is time to turn your attention to the pistachio perfection before you. So, switch on your oven, gather your ingredients, and prepare to bake a batch of these amazing cookies. We are excited to hear what you think! Feel free to leave a comment below to tell us about your experience, or tag us in your beautiful creations on social media.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 150g light brown sugar
- 100g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 130g smooth pistachio cream (sweetened)
- 300g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150g white chocolate chips
- 150g dark chocolate chips
- 50g shelled pistachios, roughly chopped (optional)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Add the pistachio cream and mix on low for just 15-20 seconds to create swirls. Do not overmix.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Add this to the wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, and optional chopped pistachios.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon-sized balls of chilled dough onto the trays, spaced well apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still slightly soft.
- Allow to cool on the trays for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (optional) while warm, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
