Easy-to-make Pistachio Shortbread Cookies are delicately sweet and studded with bits of salty pistachios. And for an extra-special touch, fill them with lemon curd, fruity jam, or Nutella to turn them into sandwich cookies!
If each month had a designated a color, March would undoubtedly be green. There's St. Patrick's Day, of course, but there's also (finally, at long last) the ushering in of spring (hallelujah and glory be)!
When I initially decided to share these cute little Pistachio Shortbread Cookies today, I did so with St. Paddy's Day in mind. But when the nutty green accents ended up more subtle/natural and less neon/in-your-face, I decided that these cookies probably wouldn't be able to compete with leprechaun hats and food coloring-laden beer come March 17th. So let's just pretend I originally conceived these with spring in mind instead, m'kay?
I've always been a cashew-lovin' gal, but pistachios were my Daddy's favorite. I enjoy pistachios now more than ever because, not only do they make me think of him, but these days, they can be purchased sans shells, saving you all of that finger-shredding labor. 😉
So the other day, when I came across a leftover bag of shelled pistachios in the pantry, I knew I wanted to do something fun with it...and lucky for you, I decided on these tender, buttery Pistachio Shortbread Cookies!
Slice-n-Bake Shortbread with Nuts
I'm a big fan of shortbread, but never before had I made it with any type of nuts incorporated. Well, what was I waiting for?!
These delectable shortbread cookies are lightly sweet, with the crunchy, salty pistachios adding a surprisingly tasty twist. And as a bonus, the hands-on time for making these is mere minutes.
In a nutshell? (Sorry/not sorry...) They're as simple to make as they are scrumptious.
Sandwich Cookie Option
But you wanna know how you can really put these guys over the top? Turn 'em into cute little sandwich cookies!
I had a half-empty jar of lemon curd in the fridge just longing for a purpose in life, and it ended up being the perfect, spring-like complement to these cookies.
I think you could make equally delightful sandwich cookies using your favorite jam, or even -- wait for it! -- Nutella!
Occasions to Make 'em
So make these Pistachio Shortbread cookies because you're pining for spring!
Serve them at a sophisticated (ha) St. Paddy's Day soiree.
Bake up a batch to leave for the Easter Bunny.
Whatever you do, you must try them.
And if you decide to pay homage to pistachios by making them during the Official Month of the Color Green (you heard it here first), well then, all the better... 😉
More Yummy Cookies
Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped pistachios, roasted and lightly salted
Optional Fillings for Sandwich Cookies:
- lemon curd, fruit jam, Nutella, etc.
Instructions
- Add butter, powdered sugar, and salt to the bowl of a large food processor. Process until smooth (about eight 1-second pulses). Add flour and pulse until mixture looks crumbly and chunky (about six 1-second pulses). Add pistachios and quickly pulse about 4 more times so that the pistachios are incorporated but not further chopped.
- Turn the dough out onto a work surface and shape into a rough ball. Cut ball in half and form each piece of dough into an 8-inch long log. Tightly wrap each log in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove one log of dough from the freezer. Cut dough into ¼-inch thick slices, rolling log every few slices to maintain the round shape of the cookies. Arrange cookies on lined baking sheet. Bake until cookies just barely turn a light golden color around the edges, between 10 and 15 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheets.
- Repeat steps with the second log of cookie dough. Once cookies are completely cool, store in an airtight container.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Notes
- You may use unsalted pistachios, if you prefer (or if that's all you can find).
- To achieve round logs of dough, I shape them the best I can and then lightly roll them on the counter like a rolling pin after they're wrapped in plastic wrap.
- While the first sheet of cookies is baking, take the second log of cookie dough out of the freezer, slice it, and arrange cookies on second cookie sheet so that it's ready to pop in the oven as soon as the first sheet comes out.
- If desired, once cookies are completely cool, you may make sandwich cookies by spreading ½ teaspoon of lemon curd, jam, or Nutella on one cookie and topping with another cookie.
Adapted from Martha Stewart
Keith G
I sandwiched these with crema di pistachio, pistachio butter. Can find at Italian stores or on Amazon.
Kayla
Tasted good, but came out too crumbley and was hard to roll out.
Samantha Skaggs
Glad you enjoyed the taste, Kayla! But just to clarify, this is not a roll-out cookie recipe. The dough should be shaped into a log and then sliced. 🙂
Faydra Mott
I have made this recipe several times over the past year, these cookies are delicious, so much so that my mom has me make them for her a lot.
Carol L.
I was so excited to make this recipe. They just came out of the oven with absolutely no flavor. They are not the least bit sweet and I am going to dispose of the other frozen log. I didn't try filling them with fruit jam because I love the taste of pistachios so I was hoping to just enjoy it as a shortbread cookie.I thought the recipe seemed to be light on the sugar compared to the other ingredients. I don't understand why there is so little taste of pistachios since there is an entire cup? I used lightly salted and roasted pistachios. Maybe a honey roasted would be better. The texture is fine and they actually look very appealing but if you make them, definitely put a sweet something on top. Icing, jam etc...
Paula Rea
I made these for the first time before Christmas. Absolutely delicious. I did not sandwich them but rolled each log in red and green decorating sugar. Added a touch more sweetness and looked quite festive. I’ll be making them again next Christmas, a wonderful addition to my cookie repertoire. Thank you!
Aileen
Thanks for sharing your pistachio shortbread cookies. Not only amazing but mouthwatering!
Mary Osmond
I made these and this Christmas everyone is asked me for this recipe. It was such a hit that a year later I am still getting calls asking for this recipe. YUM, YUM is all I can say
Loren
Pretty good! We liked but didn't love. I'd try again with salted pistachios next time! Thank you
Megan
My mom used to make pistachio crescent cookies that were similar texture to shortbread and the ends were dipped in chocolate...to die for! These sound simpler to make and just as delicious, I'll be dipping some in dark chocolate!!!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yum, Megan...your mom's cookies sound amazing! I love the idea of dipping these in dark chocolate...I'm going to have to try that myself! 🙂
sara
thank you it s very deliciouse
Samantha at Five Heart Home
So happy to hear you enjoyed these, Sara! 🙂
Kimmie
Oh my...so delicious!
Amy
Oh wow, I got so excited when I saw the word "Nutella". I'm on a mission to cut all the garbage from my diet. I just assumed Nutella was one of those additive, preservative laden treats I'd never get to consume again. I googled it and found out there aren't any additives. Yay! I learned something new today 🙂
Amy
And yes, I am aware that it's still not good for you. But it's nice to know there are still additive free occasional treat options out there.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I totally agree...everything in moderation. 😉
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Ha, Amy...I'm here to serve. 😉 Nutella has pretty straightforward ingredients, but if you want an even more natural, organic chocolate hazelnut spread, there's one out there called Nocciolata that's also pretty tasty. So yes, you can totally indulge in Nutella and still eat garbage-free! 😀
Megan
YUM!