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    Home » Recipes » Christmas » Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies

    Published: Nov 28, 2018 · Modified: Mar 13, 2021 by Linda Warren

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Melt in your mouth Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies are crumbly, soft, buttery and slightly sweet. There’s a hint of flavor from the liqueur, an added richness from the white chocolate chips and a nice crunch from the pistachios. Easy to make and a great addition to your Christmas cookie tins.

    Pistachio cookies in red Christmas dish with Merry Christmas sign in background.

    I can’t believe there are only 27 days until Christmas! Where has the year gone?  With decorating the house, searching for gifts and holiday baking there just doesn’t seem enough time to get it all done. But I had to make time for baking these cookies today. It’s a special day as I’m taking part in The Sweetest Season Cookie Exchange. This virtual bake sale is to bring attention to Cookies for Kids Cancer, a non-profit organization that raises funds for pediatric cancer research.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies stacked wide

    Cookies for Kids’ Cancer funds research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $15 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100 research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these 100 grants, 37 treatments are available to kids battling cancer today.

    Baking these Pistachio Shortbread Cookies to raise awareness for Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

    It all started with the parents of one little boy with cancer. They were appalled at the lack of research to help children with cancer and dedicated themselves to raising money for this cause. With the help of 250 volunteers they baked over 96,000 cookies and raised over $400,000 for research. When people asked how they could help, the Cookies for Kids Cancer organization was born.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies closeup

    If you feel so inclined to donate a little of your spare change this holiday season to help sick children, please take the time to check out this page and donate to this worthy cause.

    The Sweetest Cookie Season 2018

    Now on to the cookie exchange! I wanted to bake a cookie that was new for me this year. I love my favorites like Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies and Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies but wanted a nutty cookie so decided to base it on my favorite, the pistachio. After all, what better nut to use for Christmas cookies than one that is green. Right!? This is an easy recipe that is flavored with cognac, your favorite liqueur or, for a non-alcoholic option, vanilla extract.

    A simple whipped shortbread that will melt in your mouth!

    It’s a simple whipped shortbread cookie that’s a little nutty. The original recipe is from “The Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking” cookbook. I changed it up just slightly with the addition of white chocolate chips and a coating of chopped pistachios on the outside.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread overhead

    Be aware these cookies need to be made with cake flour which lends a super tender, melt in your mouth texture with a fine crumb to the cookie. You’ll also notice it doesn’t use any baking powder or baking soda keeping the cookie moist but dense. It’s a rich cookie that’s easy to make and unbelievably delicious. Perfect to add to those tins of cookies you want to gift to family and friends.

    All it takes is 7 ingredients to make these incredible Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies prep

    1. Cream butter and confectioner’s sugar together until light and fluffy. Continue beating while adding egg yolk and cognac or vanilla extract.
    2. Gradually add flour and beat until just incorporated.
    3. Stir in white chocolate chips.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies ready to assemble

    1. Chill dough for one hour. Grind pistachios into small pieces and place on flat plate. Line cookie sheet with parchment or silicon mat and get ready to assemble.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies coating in pistachios

    1. Scoop into balls and roll in pistachios. I like to push them into the cookie a little so they adhere better.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies ready to bake

    1. Place on cookie sheet and press down tops just slightly with fork.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies dusting with sugar

    1. Let cool then dust with powdered sugar.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies bite tall

    Now, if you didn't snitch any of these Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies while they were cooling, take a bite and savor the deliciously soft and buttery flavor of this little gems.

    These shortbread cookies are crisp and crumbly but also soft, buttery and slightly sweet. There’s a hint of flavor from the liqueur and white chocolate chips and a nice crunch from the pistachios. You don’t even have to take a bite as they’ll just melt in your mouth. Believe me, these are little nibbles of delectable indulgence.

    While you're enjoying them, check out more Christmas deliciousness from my other baking friends here. Enjoy!

    More Unforgettable Christmas Cookies

    Cherry Jam Thumbprint Cookies from 2CM

    Eggnog Cookies from 2CM

    Chocolate Dipped Almond Horn Cookies from Flavor the Moments

    Chocolate Mint Cookie Bars from 2CM

    Love quick & easy recipes? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter for all the latest recipe inspiration! Plus join my email list here and receive a free e-book.

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies closeup square

    Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies

    Melt in your mouth Pistachio Whipped Shortbread Cookies are crumbly, soft, buttery and slightly sweet. There’s a hint of flavor from the liqueur, an added richness from the white chocolate chips and a nice crunch from the pistachios. Easy to make and a great addition to your Christmas cookie tins.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Chilling: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 36 cookies
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • ⅓ cup confectioner’s sugar
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 2 teaspoons cognac your favorite liqueur (think Amaretto, Frangelica or Grand Marnier) or vanilla extract
    • 2 ¼ cups CAKE flour see note below to make your own
    • ½ cup white chocolate chips
    • 1 cup pistachio nuts chopped fine

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until soft and fluffy, 3-5 minutes.
    • Continue beating while adding egg yolk and liqueur.
    • Turn mixing speed to low and gradual add flour, mixing only until it is incorporated. DO NOT OVER MIX!
    • Fold in chocolate chips.
    • Chill for at least 1 hour in refrigerator to make it easier to handle.
    • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
    • Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough then roll into balls. Roll in chopped pistachios and place on prepared cookie sheets.
    • Bake 15 minutes or until cookies start to turn a light brown.
    • Cool on cookie sheets.
    • Sprinkle with powdered sugar and store in airtight container.

    Notes

    To make cake flour, for every one cup of all-purpose flour, remove 2 Tablespoons and replace with 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift 4-5 times to make a very fine flour.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 51mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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