Pistachio Dark Chocolate Cookies with Sea Salt

Prep: 20 minCook: 12 min30 cookiesmediumAmerican
Pistachio Dark Chocolate Cookies with Sea Salt

Chewy pistachio cookies studded with dark chocolate and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Instant pudding mix creates a tender crumb and rich pistachio flavor, while the contrast of sweet and salty makes these sophisticated enough for gifting. The dough requires chilling, so plan ahead for best results.

Ingredients

Yield: 30 cookies
  • 4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 3.4 ounce box instant pistachio pudding mix
    vanilla pudding mix1:1dairytree_nuts-free

    loses pistachio color and flavor

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
    salted butter1:1dairy

    reduces need for added salt

    Full guide →
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
    salted butter1:1dairy

    reduces need for added salt

    Full guide →
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
    milk chocolate chips1:1dairyadds dairy

    sweeter, less intense flavor

    Full guide →
  • ½ cup pistachios, chopped
    roasted almonds1:1tree nut

    different nutty flavor

    Full guide →
  • sea salt(optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk together flour, pudding mix, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and set aside.

  2. 2

    Cream sugars and butter together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

  3. 3

    Add egg and vanilla and beat until well blended.

  4. 4

    Gradually add dry ingredients and mix on low just until combined.

  5. 5

    Fold in chocolate chips and pistachios. Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.

  6. 6

    Preheat oven to 325F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

  7. 7

    Roll cookie dough into 1.5-inch balls and place on prepared cookie sheet, pressing together to form ball if dough is dry. Sprinkle each cookie with sea salt.

  8. 8

    Bake for 11-13 minutes or just until set, removing from oven if you see browning on the edges.

  9. 9

    Cool on baking sheet for several minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Tips

Tip 1

Dough will be dry; press pieces together firmly when rolling into balls.

Tip 2

Watch cookies carefully in final minutes to prevent browning edges.

Tip 3

Room temperature egg incorporates more smoothly into butter mixture.

Good to Know

Storage

Airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Make Ahead

Dough can be refrigerated up to 24 hours or frozen for up to 2 months before baking. Baked cookies freeze well for up to 1 month.

Serve With

Serve at room temperature as an accompaniment to coffee or tea.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not overmix after adding dry ingredients to avoid tough cookies.

Watch

Do not skip the chilling step to avoid spreading dough.

Watch

Do not bake beyond first signs of browning at edges to maintain chewy center.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

unsalted butter
salted butter1:1dairy

reduces need for added salt

Full guide →
dark chocolate chips
milk chocolate chips1:1dairyadds dairy

sweeter, less intense flavor

Full guide →
instant pistachio pudding mix
vanilla pudding mix1:1dairytree_nuts-free

loses pistachio color and flavor

General Alternatives

pistachios
roasted almonds1:1tree nut

different nutty flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →