Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies

Get ready for a cookie experience that takes comfort food to a whole new level. These Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies are the perfect balance of rich, nutty, and sweet, with an added depth of flavor thanks to the brown butter. If you haven’t tried brown butter in cookies yet, let me just say—you’re in for a treat! The nutty flavor of the brown butter combines beautifully with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate and the crunchy saltiness of pistachios. Every bite is absolutely irresistible.

Why You’ll Love Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies

Rich, Nutty Flavor: Brown butter adds a warm, toasty flavor that makes these cookies stand out. It’s like your typical chocolate chip cookie, but better. So much better.

Perfect Balance: The creamy white chocolate and crunchy pistachios balance out the richness of the brown butter, giving these cookies a delightful texture and flavor that’s hard to beat.

Irresistibly Soft: These cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth softness, but with just enough chew to make each bite satisfying.

Gourmet Flavor: Even though they’re easy to make, these cookies taste like something you’d find at a bakery. They’re perfect for special occasions, gifting, or simply when you’re craving something extra delicious.

Ingredients

To make these indulgent cookies, you’ll need the following:

For the Cookies:

  • Butter: The magic happens when this butter is browned, creating a nutty, caramelized flavor that will transform the cookies.
  • Sugar: A combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar gives the cookies the perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness.
  • Eggs: These help bind the dough and add moisture, ensuring a soft and chewy texture.
  • Flour: The base of the dough.
  • Baking Soda: To help the cookies rise and spread just the right amount.
  • Salt: A pinch to enhance the sweetness and balance the flavors.
  • White Chocolate Chips: Creamy, sweet white chocolate adds a rich contrast to the pistachios.
  • Pistachios: Chopped pistachios give the cookies a delightful crunch and a nice nutty flavor to complement the brown butter.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s get started and make these cookies that are a guaranteed hit every time!

Step 1: Brown the Butter

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep an eye on it and stir constantly as it melts. After a couple of minutes, the butter will begin to foam, then start to turn golden brown. Once it’s a deep amber color and gives off a nutty fragrance, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Letting the butter cool slightly before mixing it into the dough helps prevent it from cooking the eggs.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the brown butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for a touch of warmth and depth.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could affect the texture of the cookies.

Step 4: Add the Fun Stuff

Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped pistachios. The creamy white chocolate and crunchy pistachios add the perfect contrast to the rich brown butter flavor.

Step 5: Scoop the Dough

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so don’t worry if they look a little underdone at first.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps the cookies firm up while maintaining their soft, chewy texture.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Once they’ve cooled (or while they’re still warm!), serve and enjoy! These cookies are perfect with a glass of milk, or just on their own as a sweet treat.

How to Serve Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies

These cookies are amazing on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:

With Milk or Coffee: The richness of the cookies pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. The warmth of the drink complements the nutty cookies beautifully.

Cookie Gift Box: Pack these cookies in a cute tin or box and give them as a gift. Everyone loves a homemade cookie gift, and these are gourmet enough to impress anyone.

Dessert Platter: Serve these cookies alongside other treats like brownies, cakes, or fruit for a delightful dessert spread.

Additional Tips

Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag for long-term storage. When you’re ready, bake directly from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Customizable: You can switch out the white chocolate for dark chocolate chips, or even add in dried cranberries, coconut flakes, or a mix of other nuts like almonds or hazelnuts.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
A1: Yes! Just make sure to add a pinch of salt to the dough if you’re using unsalted butter.

Q2: How do I make sure the cookies stay soft?
A2: The key is to not overbake them! Take the cookies out when the edges are golden brown, but the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack.

Q3: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A3: Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure the blend has xanthan gum in it to help with the structure of the cookies.

Q4: Can I freeze these cookies?
A4: Yes! These cookies freeze beautifully. Store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.

Q5: Can I substitute pistachios with other nuts?
A5: Of course! If pistachios aren’t your thing, you can easily swap them for other nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. You could even try a combination of nuts for a fun twist.

Enjoy Your Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies!

These Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies are an absolute game-changer. With their rich flavor, soft texture, and perfect balance of sweetness, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your cookie rotation. Bake a batch, enjoy the delicious aroma filling your kitchen, and savor every nutty, chocolatey bite!

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Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Brown Butter White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies are a decadent twist on the classic cookie. With rich brown butter, sweet white chocolate chips, and crunchy pistachios, these cookies are the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside – a must-try for cookie lovers!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Brown the Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, stirring constantly. Once the butter melts, continue stirring until it foams and begins to turn golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
  • Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and brown butter. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
  • Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
  • Add White Chocolate and Pistachios: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped pistachios, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (this helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking).
  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. Be careful not to overbake to ensure they remain soft in the center.
  • Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to the cookies, which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the white chocolate and the crunch of the pistachios.
  • For a different twist, you can substitute the white chocolate with dark chocolate chips or even milk chocolate.
  • You can chop the pistachios finer if you prefer smaller pieces in the cookies.
  • To make sure your cookies bake evenly, be sure to chill the dough.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

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