Buttery and delicate pistachio almond cookies made with a mix of pistachios and almonds and an hint of cardamom flavor!
These pistachio almond cookies are basically like shortbread cookies but they’re much easier to make, shape, and bake! Instead of the traditional creaming method with softened butter and sugar, this recipe simplifies the process by using melted butter and powdered sugar. The ratio of butter, sugar, and flour is just like that of a classic shortbread cookie but the entire process is much quicker.
Just like the ideal shortbread cookies, these almond pistachio cookies have a slight crisp when you first bite into them and the insides have the perfect tender, crumbly, buttery texture. The pistachios and almonds lend a lovely nutty flavor and the ground cardamon brings it all together!
The Cookie Dough
The cookie dough is made from basic ingredients, comes together in one bowl, and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or techniques!
The best part about the dough is that it uses melted butter, so no more waiting for the butter to soften up and creaming it with sugar! Simply whisk all the dry ingredients together and then mix in the melted butter and that’s it…the cookie dough is ready!
It’s a little crumbly at first but comes together as you shape the dough into cookies. I found that it is much quicker and simpler to press the dough into a square pan and cut into square shaped cookies instead of rolling it into a log and cutting into circle shaped cookies. This took significantly less time
Just make sure to measure the ingredients correctly, especially the flour, and sift the dry ingredients into the bowl. A kitchen scale is best but if you don’t have one, use the spoon and level method to measure the flour.
The Process in Pictures
Pistachios and almonds are a tasty combination for these cookies but you don’t have to use both together. You can use just one or the other if you prefer, making sure to double the quantity to make up for whatever you skipped. I’ve made them this way a few times and they still taste great!
I hope you enjoy this recipe and would greatly appreciate a rating and review! I would love to hear your feedback and answer any questions you may have! Don’t forget to stay connected on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube, and Pinterest for video tutorials, updates, & more!
Pistachio Almond Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (45 g) shelled unsalted pistachios
- 1/3 cup (55g) almonds
- 1 cup (130 g) all purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1/2 cup (65 g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter – melted and cooled to room temp
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300℉ (150℃).
- Add the pistachios and almonds in a food processor and pulse into finely small chopped pieces. Then transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Sift in the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and ground cardamom to that same bowl and whisk everything together.
- Then make a well in the center and pour in the melted butter. Use a spatula to mix until everything is combined and no streaks of flour remain. The dough will be crumbly.
- Line a square baking pan, either 8 x 8 inch or 9 x 9 inch, with parchment paper and leave an overhang. NOTE- you will not be baking in this pan. This is just to help easily shape the dough into square cookies. Optionally, slightly greasing the pan helps keep the parchment paper in place, making it easier to spread the cookie dough throughout the pan.
- Transfer the cookie dough into the square pan and using your hands or spatula, evenly spread the dough throughout the pan. Press down firmly using a spatula or any flat surface, like the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Once it’s all set, use the overhang of the parchment paper to transfer the dough from the square pan to a large baking sheet and then cut the dough into 16 square pieces.
- Space them out a little, leaving about an inch of room between each cookie, and bake for 20-22 minutes, until the edges and bottoms are brown.
- The cookies are very soft when they first come out the oven so let them cool on the baking sheet until they’re completely set and firm, and then enjoy!
