Green Gem Pistachio Delight Shortbread Recipe: Sweet Buttery Bliss

Buttery, crumbly, and utterly irresistible, these pistachio delight shortbread cookies promise a delectable twist on the classic treat.

Loaded with vibrant green pistachio goodness, each bite delivers a rich, nutty flavor that dances across your palate.

The delicate balance of sweet and savory creates a mouthwatering experience that sets these shortbread cookies apart from ordinary desserts.

Tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture defines every perfectly crisp edge of these delightful cookies.

Ground pistachios weave their magic through the dough, lending an elegant and sophisticated touch to this simple recipe.

The subtle nuttiness and golden-brown edges make these shortbread cookies a standout choice for afternoon tea or an elegant dessert.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to bake a batch of pure, nutty bliss that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Baking Pistachio Shortbreadfully Easy

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the heat to a cozy 300°F and get your baking pan ready with a light grease.

• Butter Bliss

Whip together softened butter, creamy pudding mix, and sweet sugar until the mixture looks dreamy and smooth.

• Flour Magic

Gently fold in flour until the dough feels soft and playful, adding a hint of green color if you want some extra pizzazz.

• Pan Transformation

Spread the dough across your pan, smoothing it out like a delicate blanket with gentle fingertips.

• Nutty Topping

Scatter chopped pistachios across the top, pressing them softly so they nestle into the dough.

• Slice Preview

Sketch light lines to create your dream portions, imagining delightful bite-sized treats.

• Baking Moment

Slide the pan into the oven, letting the shortbread bake until golden edges whisper of deliciousness.

• Cooling Celebration

Let the shortbread rest, then slice along your marked lines and marvel at your scrumptious creation.

Flavor Tips for Pistachio Cookies You’ll Love

• Replace pistachios with almonds, walnuts, or pecans for different flavor profiles and exciting textures.
• Melt dark or white chocolate and drizzle over cooled shortbread for an indulgent finishing touch that adds elegant visual appeal.
• Reduce sugar for a more subtle dessert or add extra pudding mix to intensify the pistachio flavor and create a richer taste experience.
• Keep shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain crisp texture and prevent sticking.

Serving Pistachio Shortbread at Gatherings

• Pair with Afternoon Tea: Create a delightful spread by serving these pistachio shortbread squares alongside classic tea sandwiches and a steaming pot of Earl Grey.
• Dress Up with Elegant Toppings: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled shortbread or dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sophistication and visual appeal.
• Complement with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the nutty, buttery texture of the shortbread.
• Gift with Personal Flair: Package these beautiful shortbread pieces in clear cellophane bags tied with a rustic ribbon for a homemade gift that looks professionally crafted.

Keep Pistachio Shortbread from Crumbling

• Store Smartly: Transfer cooled shortbread to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crispness.
• Refrigerate Right: Keep the container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, ensuring the shortbread stays fresh and retains its delicate texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings.
• Bring to Room Temperature: When ready to enjoy frozen shortbread, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to restore its original soft, crumbly consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 154 kcal

Servings: 22

Pistachio Shortbread Ingredient Essentials

• Softened Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps bind ingredients smoothly, select high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, crumbly shortbread texture, choose fine granulated sugar for even distribution.
• Pistachio Pudding Mix: Infuses intense pistachio flavor and creates a unique green hue, look for premium brand with real pistachio essence.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the classic shortbread structure and delicate crumb, select unbleached flour for optimal texture.
• Green Food Coloring: Enhances visual appeal and highlights the pistachio theme, use sparingly for natural-looking result.

• Chopped Pistachios: Adds delightful crunch, nutty flavor, and beautiful green-brown contrast, select fresh, raw pistachios and roughly chop for rustic appearance.

Tools That Help with Pistachio Shortbread Prep

• Electric mixer: Perfect for blending butter, sugar, and pudding mix into a smooth, creamy texture.
• Mixing bowl: Large enough to combine ingredients and create soft dough.
• 8×8-inch baking pan: Essential for shaping and baking the shortbread evenly.
• Knife: Used for scoring the dough into precise squares or triangles.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
• Spatula or spoon: Helps smooth the dough and press pistachios into the surface.

Buttery Pistachio Shortbread Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Silky pistachio delight shortbread embodies Mediterranean comfort with nutty sophistication. Crumbly cookies melt smoothly, offering rich pistachio notes that welcome you into delicate culinary indulgence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 box (3.4 oz/96 g) pistachio instant pudding mix
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) shelled pistachios, finely chopped
• A few drops Wilton Leaf Green Gel Food Coloring

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Instructions

1. Preheating Setup: Configure oven to 300°F (150°C) with center rack placement. Thoroughly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Mixing Foundation: Utilize electric mixer to blend room-temperature butter, pistachio pudding mix, and granulated sugar until achieving a light, airy, and uniform consistency at medium speed.
3. Dough Formation: Gradually sift flour into butter mixture, folding carefully until a soft, cohesive dough emerges. Incorporate green food coloring if desired, ensuring even color distribution throughout the mixture.
4. Pan Preparation: Gently transfer dough to prepared pan, using fingertips or flexible spatula to create an uniform layer that fills all corners with consistent thickness.
5. Topping Application: Sprinkle finely chopped pistachios across dough surface, delicately pressing nuts to create a decorative and crunchy exterior.
6. Scoring and Baking: Trace gentle cutting guidelines dividing dough into 9 equal squares (or smaller portions). Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges turn light golden brown and center appears set.
7. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and allow shortbread to rest 10-15 minutes for structural stability. Follow pre-scored lines to separate pieces, letting them cool completely at room temperature before removing from pan.

Notes

• Master Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is genuinely room temperature – soft but not melting – for perfect cookie texture and smooth mixing.
• Color Control: Add green food coloring sparingly to achieve a delicate pistachio-inspired hue without overwhelming the natural ingredients.
• Chop Nuts Precisely: Finely chop pistachios to create an even, delicate crunch that integrates seamlessly into the shortbread’s surface.
• Cooling Technique: Allow shortbread to rest in the pan after baking to help it set properly and prevent crumbling when cutting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scottish-British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 154
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg