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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies

Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies

By: Rosemary Published: June 10, 2021 Updated on: July 3, 2021

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These Quick and Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies are tasty and soft. With only 7 ingredients and no pudding included, just real pistachios! A soft cookie perfect with a coffee or tea at snack time or Breakfast.

Pistachio cookies on a black tray.

If it wasn’t for the Italian I probably would never have made any pistachio recipes from Pistachio Cream which I used to make a Pistachio Tiramisu to my latest Pistachio Ricotta Crostata. I discovered what an unrated and delicious nut it is to bake with.

Table of Contents

  • How to chop pistachios
  • How to make them
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  • What is the best flour to use?
  • Why chill the cookie dough?
  • What if the dough is too wet?
  • What if the dough is too dry?
  • Are pistachios good for you?
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Delicious Italian Cookies
  • Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
    • Instructions 
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

How to chop pistachios

I was able to find finely chopped pistachios in the store, but if you can’t find them then you will have to chop them yourself. You can use either roasted and shelled salted or unsalted. Place the whole pistachios in a blender or food processor and chop until finely chopped, but not powder.

How to make them

For this recipe you can use either a food processor, stand mixer or by hand. In the bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, chopped pistachios and salt add the butter and egg and pulse, beat with the flat beater or fork until combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

the ingredients in a food processor before and after mixed to form a dough.

On a lightly floured flat surface, form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.

The dough formed and before wrapping in plastic wrap.

Roll the dough into small golfball size balls, lightly flatten with a fork and sprinkle with some chopped pistachios.

The dough balls before and after flattened with some sprinkled pistachios on top.

While the oven is pre-heating chill the cookies, bake until golden around the edges, let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for approximately 15 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

The cookies baked on a baking sheet.
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    What is the best flour to use?

    Be sure to use a higher protein flour, at least 12%, my flour is about 13%, a low protein flour will cause the cookies to spread, and you want these cookies to be higher rather than flatter.

    Why chill the cookie dough?

    Chilling the dough before forming and baking is another way to keep the cookies from spreading. Chilling will solidify the fat in the cookies. As the cookies bake, the fat in the chilled dough will take longer to melt than non chilled fat, which keeps your cookies from spreading.

    What if the dough is too wet?

    If the dough won’t come together because it is too wet, then just add a little more flour, start with a tablespoon at a time.

    What if the dough is too dry?

    If it is too dry then add a little more butter, 1/2-1 tablespoon at a time until it comes together to form a compact dough.

    Are pistachios good for you?

    Yes they are they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits. They can lower your chances for cardiovascular disease. They are full of  fibre, minerals, and unsaturated fat that can help keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in check.

    Pistachio cookies on a black dish.

    Recipe FAQs

    How to store the cookies

    The cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a single layer separated with parchment paper, they will keep at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the fridge for 5-6 days. Be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving.

    How to freeze the cookies

    The cookies can either be frozen baked or unbaked. Freeze baked cookies in a freezer safe container separated with parchment paper, they will keep for up to 3 month in the freezer. The cookies can be thawed in the refrigerator or at room temperature. 

    Can the dough be frozen?

    You can also freeze the cookie dough or dough balls, freeze until firm on a cookie sheet then move to a freezer safe container, they will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw the frozen dough in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before baking.

    More Delicious Italian Cookies

    • Canestrelli Italian Cookies
    • Italian Lemon Cookies
    • Traditional Italian Breakfast Cookies

    If you like Pistachios and are looking for a way to make something not overly sweet, then why not give these Italian Pistachio Cookies a try and be sure to let me know how they turn out. Enjoy!

    Cookies on a black tray and one cut in half.
    Pistachio cookies on a black tray.

    Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies

    Rosemary Molloy
    These Quick and Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies are tasty and soft. With only 7 ingredients and no pudding included, just real pistachios!
    5 from 73 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Chilling Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 21 cookies
    Calories 94 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (160 grams)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¾ cup pistachios (finely chopped) divided (100 grams)
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons butter (softened & cubed) (100 grams)
    • 1 large egg

    Instructions
     

    • For this recipe you can use either a food processor, stand mixer or by hand. In the bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, chopped pistachios (remove 1 tablespoon to sprinkle on the unbaked cookies set aside) and the salt, then add the butter and egg, pulse, beat with the flat beater or mix with a fork until combined.
    • On a lightly floured flat surface, form the dough into a ball, the dough should be soft but not sticky. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
    • Remove the dough from the fridge and roll the dough into small golfball size balls, approximately 21, place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, lightly flatten (but not too much) each ball with the tongs of a fork and sprinkle with the remaining chopped pistachios.
    • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C).
    • While the oven is pre-heating chill the cookies for about 15-20 minutes, then bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges (the bottom of the cookies should be lightly browned), let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for approximately 15 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

    Notes

    I was able to find finely chopped skinned pistachios in the store, but if you can’t find them then you will have to chop them yourself. You can use either roasted and shelled salted or unsalted nuts. Place the whole pistachios in a blender or food processor and chop until finely chopped but not powder.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 40mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Easy Italian Cookies, Italian pistachio cookies, pistachio cookies
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      Appetizers & Snacks, Breakfast / Brunch, Christmas, Cookies & Bars, Desserts, Nuts

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      1. Judy says

        March 26, 2023 at 4:14 am

        Just saw this recipe on Pinterest and it looks like it would be delicious. Great reviews also. Was also glad to see that this recipe can be doubled or tripled. In my life I have never made just 21 cookies, cause I could probably eat half of that myself. Recipe looks perfect. I will be doing the triple for sure. Just wanted to thank you for sharing. **

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          March 26, 2023 at 8:20 pm

          Hi Judy, thanks and you’re welcome. I hope you like them. Haha I usually make smaller amounts because my husband and I eat them all! Take care.

          Reply
      2. Ermajo says

        January 26, 2023 at 5:11 pm

        5 stars
        Very easy recipe and delicious cookies.
        Thank you for sharing

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          January 27, 2023 at 10:36 am

          Hi Ermajo, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great weekend!

          Reply
      3. June L Conroy says

        January 7, 2023 at 1:59 pm

        I noticed your recipe does not have any extracts in it. Are they flavorful without it?? I am interested in making them but I feel a little almond extract might be needed. Thanks

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          January 7, 2023 at 3:55 pm

          Hi June, for us they were flavourful but you can definitely add some almond extract if you wish. That would actually be very good I think. Take care!

          Reply
      4. Ron says

        December 16, 2022 at 6:54 pm

        5 stars
        Love this recipe, Our family does a cookie backing for the holidays and I have been looking for a good recipe and this hits the mark. Thank you for sharing, however I can’t say I will HAHAHA.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 17, 2022 at 12:34 pm

          Hi Ron, thanks so much, haha yes my husband won’t share these either. Take care! Happy Baking.

          Reply
      5. Anne Sundqvist says

        October 25, 2022 at 10:58 pm

        These are so good.
        Thank you also for the gram equivalent of the cup measurements!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 28, 2022 at 3:18 pm

          Hi Anne, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Take care!

          Reply
      6. NAJCH says

        May 21, 2022 at 7:09 pm

        5 stars
        Great recipe! I love it! Thanks.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          May 23, 2022 at 12:06 pm

          Hi NAJCH, thanks so much, glad you like the recipe. Take care. Have a great week.

          Reply
      7. Dianna says

        March 28, 2022 at 1:41 am

        5 stars
        These cooikes are excellent. I did bake them a bit longer because we like things well done. My husband loves pistacios and these were a real hit. Thank you for sharing the recipe

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          March 29, 2022 at 8:07 pm

          Hi Dianna, thanks so much, my husband loves anything pistachios also! Glad you enjoyed them. Take care.

          Reply
      8. Joanna Marks says

        December 23, 2021 at 2:00 am

        5 stars
        Another successful, delicious recipe I plan to make again! Beyond easy in the food processor as well.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 23, 2021 at 7:29 pm

          Hi Joanna, thanks so much, and yes I love my food processor. Happy Holidays.

          Reply
      9. Jeanette T says

        June 11, 2021 at 6:27 pm

        Hello Rosemary. Would you have any objections to using bread flour? The AP flour I use has 11.7% protein and the bread flow I use is 12.7%. Thanks for sharing your talent, life experiences and recipes. Take care

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          June 12, 2021 at 12:25 pm

          Hi Jeanette, yes the bread flour should work just fine. Let me know how it goes. Have a great weekend.

          Reply

      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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