Pistachio Pudding Cookies
Sweet Pistachio Pudding Cookies with a crisp exterior and a soft interior. I call these my pistachio gems - a festive addition to any holiday platter!
Pistachio Pudding Cookies
I looove Christmas cookies. Making them and especially eating them! Baking a variety of cookies with family every December is one of my favorite traditions.
Now I live far, far away from family, but it still gives me great joy to have a baking day by with friends or even by myself. Throw on some Christmas music and it's a party!
Everyone has their own favorite Christmas cookie and these pistachio pudding cookies are my sister's particular favorite. They're a triple dose of nuts - pistachio pudding, almond extract and chopped pecans - but the flavors are light and complimentary. Even I (a nut disliker) don't have a problem polishing off a plate!
These cookies get rolled in sugar before baking which gives them a crispy exterior, but stay moist on the inside from the pudding mix. They're slightly airy yet chewy in the center. I love the texture of these cookies just as much as the taste!
These cookies keep well so they can be baked ahead of time. They can even be frozen after baking. Just pull out a few cookies when guests come over and thaw for a sweet treat.
Plus, the green color will make a festive addition to any cookie platter. I call these my pistachio gems. I like to pair them with my Red Velvet Cookies on a cookie tray along with a white cookie like Mexican Wedding Cakes or Almond Crescents. It really makes the colors pop!
Putting together a stellar Christmas cookie platter is a point of pride. You can get my Christmas Cookie ebook for free when you subscribe by email where I share all my tips for the ultimate cookie spread and favorite recipes.
Hope you enjoy them as much as my family!
Pin these to your cookie board!
Pistachio Pudding Cookies
Crisp-soft cookies with a tiny bit of chew in the middle. Tender gems of pistachio goodness!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (4 ounces) butter, softened
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
- 1 box (3.5 ounce) instant pistachio pudding and pie filling
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1-3 drops green food coloring
- ½ cup pecans, well chopped
- Granulated sugar, for rolling
I am sorry... not sure what these are but they tasted awful... almost had an ammonia aftertaste... I am not sure why you are using baking soda and cream of tartar when baking powder is basically the same combination...but I'm wondering if the weird flavour is coming from? I love pistachio pudding and was very excited to try this recipe, but although they are pretty and baked up well, the flavour was just off. Unpleasant.
It's the cream of tartar, gives it a tangy taste like snickerdoodle cookies. You can leave it out.
Can you add chopped maraschino cherries
I don't have any experience using maraschino cherries in cookies so I'm hoping someone else can comment on this. I think they will be fine as long as there's no excess liquid. Very festive looking!
Can you chill this dough overnight?
Yes, you can refrigerate it for a few days.
Love this recipe. We decided to dip half the cookie and chocolate and then top it with red sprinkles. Looks like a Grinch Santa Claus.
Cute idea!
Even with 3 green drops my cookies weren't as vibrant - I would use more next time. After 7 minutes my cookie bottoms were burnt, so I would start with much less time than suggested and keep checking on them.
Thank you for that! It's actually really great advice since oven temperatures vary. I just moved into a new place and this oven is running 25 degrees high. 🙁 Thanks again and I hope you have a very merry holiday season!
TRY THE GEL FOOD COLORING IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BETTER, GIVING THE DARKER COLOR
These look fabulous! Looks like they are on my weekend baking to do list! Have you ever substituted chopped pistachios for the pecans? Or, would you recommend sticking with the pecans? Thanks!
I never have just because we always have pecans on hand for holiday baking, but I bet pistachios would punch up the flavor!
They look a bit luminous! I bet they taste good though 🙂
Haha yes, thanks to the food coloring. 🙂 The pudding mix alone is very pale, but yummy!
I bet! 🙂 I love pistachio 🙂
I cannot find pistachio pudding mix in my local grocery stores ? Can you use vanilla pudding mix and ground pistachios to get similar results?
Hi Nina! So sorry you can't find pistachio pudding. You can certainly use vanilla pudding mix and add chopped pistachios, but I don't think it will taste anything like pistachio cookies. Let me know how they turn out if you try!
Love the beautiful green color.
Thank you! And thank you for reblogging my Tahini Cookies
I don't have vegetable oil available can I substitute with more butter?
Lynn, I've never tried so I can't say for sure. However, since most recipes use all butter I think it will be ok. They may come out softer and chewier, which is not a bad thing! Please let us know how it goes!