Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies

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

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 underrated and delicious nut it is to bake with.

Recipe Ingredients

• Flour – all purpose flour at least 11% protein
• Sugar – granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Pistachios – chopped
• Salt – if you use unsalted butter then add a little more salt
• Butter – salted or unsalted butter
• Egg – large egg

There is no vanilla extract in this recipe although if you like you could add about 1/2 teaspoon for flavor.

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 a Pistachio Cookie Recipe

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.

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

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

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.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best flour to use?

Be sure to use a higher protein flour, at least 11%, my flour is about 12.5%, 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.

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.

I love making Italian cookies because tend to be a less sweet and always delicious, from Canestrelli Italian Cookies to Italian Lemon Cookies to everyones favorite 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. They would also make the perfect addition to your Christmas Baking tray. Enjoy!