• Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Beverages
  • Condiments
    • Dressings Chutneys & Jams
    • Marinades & Rubs
    • Sauces & Pestos
  • Desserts
    • Cakes
    • Candy
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies/Bars
    • Crumbles/Crisps
    • Ice Cream/Frozen Treats
    • Pies/Tarts
    • Puddings/Custards
  • Entrees
    • Meat
      • Beef
      • Chicken/Poultry
      • Lamb
      • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Pasta
    • Grains
    • Sandwiches, Tacos & Pizzas
    • Soups, Stews & Braises
  • Salads
  • Sides
  • Vegan/Vegetarian
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Disclaimers

Garlic & Zest

Gourmet Cooking at Home!

Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies

Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies
2K Shares
Share
Pin
Yum
Tweet
Share
Share
Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The holidays are all about tradition (cue the music and Tevya entering stage left).  A steady and reliable occurrence year after year.  Something you’ve come to expect.   Whether it’s annual tickets to the Nutcracker or a night spent watching It’s a Wonderful Life.  Whether it’s latkes, bûche de noél or egg nog.   Established customs.  The things you’ve come to expect on a certain day of the year.  For everyone, those traditions are different.

 

cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-4

Today, I’m sharing one of our annual rituals.  These cookies.  I make them every Christmas.  They are essentially a rendition of Mexican Wedding cookies (aka Russian Tea Cakes).  I substitute the usual pecans with pistachios and add cranberries.  The hint of green (from pistachios) and red cranberries, literally transform these anytime treats into Christmas favorites for my family.  

 

cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-5 cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-2

They are super-easy to make by simply creaming butter and sugar together, adding the dry ingredients and vanilla and incorporating the nuts and dried fruit.

 

 

cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-6 cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-3

The cranberries and pistachios add chew and crunch.  Portioning the dough with a small ice cream scoop makes it easy to roll the cookies into uniform sized balls. 

 

cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-13 cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-15

Then, just bake and toss the still warm cookies into a pile of powdered sugar.  At this point, I may have to sample one or two — for quality control.

 

 

cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-16 cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies-20

Though these are a family tradition in our house, they are also perfect for gifting.  Maybe for your neighbor?  Your child’s teacher?  A close friend?  The mailman?

cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies2 cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies1-4 cranberry-pistachio-tea-cookies1

 

Of course you could just pour a glass of milk, sit in your favorite cozy spot and have them all to yourself?  I’ve done both, so I won’t judge.  

 

Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas cookies, dried cranberries, pistachios, powdered sugar
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 169 kcal

These cookies are buttery, crumbly, lightly sweet with a slight crunch and chew -- and they are utterly irrisistible.  If you're making them to gift at the holidays -- make a double batch.  They're that good!

Print

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/3 cup confectioners sugar powdered, plus 1 cup for dusting
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons masa harina
  • 1/2 cup pistachio nuts roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat together the butter and 1/3 cup of sugar until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and salt. Reduce speed to low and beat in the flour and masa harina until dough comes together. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.
  3. Scoop out a rounded teaspoonful of dough and roll into a 1" ball between your hands. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  4. Bake until pale golden, about 25 minutes.
  5. Place confectioners sugar into a shallow bowl. Working with 2-3 cookies at a time, and while they're still warm, roll them in the sugar and set on a cooling rack.
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 169 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 50mg 2%
Potassium 68mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 6g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 5.2%
Vitamin C 0.3%
Calcium 1.1%
Iron 4.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin “Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies” For Later:

cranberry pistachio tea cookies

cranberry pistachio tea cookies
2K Shares
Share
Pin
Yum
Tweet
Share
Share
Email

Cookies/Bars// Desserts// Vegan/Vegetarian32 Comments

« Tart Lemon and Cranberry Scones
Meet: Chris Cockren – Shared Appetite »

Comments

  1. Sabrina says

    November 19, 2017 at 12:07 PM

    My husband is vegan and I would love to make these. Do you think they would hold up with vegan butter?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 19, 2017 at 12:29 PM

      I’ve never used vegan butter, so I really don’t know how it would react. I’m reaching out to a few vegan bloggers I know to get a better sense. Will let you know!

      Reply
  2. Dorothy Tanski says

    November 11, 2017 at 7:34 PM

    look and sound delightful but what is masa harina? is it necessary or can you recommend a substitute. Thanks

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 12, 2017 at 4:56 PM

      Masa harina is corn flour– and it really gives these cookies a particular flavor. Don’t substitute. You can find it next to the flour in most markets.

      Reply
  3. Cassa says

    November 11, 2017 at 8:44 AM

    Hello:) just wondering if I made these a little bit ahead would they freeze okay?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 11, 2017 at 8:56 AM

      Hi, I think you could make the cookies ahead and then dust them in powdered sugar after you remove them from the freezer and have thawed. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Allison (@CelebrateSweets) says

    December 10, 2016 at 10:56 PM

    I love that you used cranberries and pistachios! These sound way better than the original. Love the color too!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 11, 2016 at 11:19 AM

      Thanks, Allison! Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Holly says

    December 10, 2016 at 10:37 PM

    Hi Lisa! I’m on a huge cranberry kick right now so these Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies are calling my name!! Love that you use less sugar than most cookie recipes as I don’t have big sweet tooth. Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 11, 2016 at 11:19 AM

      Glad you like them Holly — I can’t get enough cranberry either. They add a nice sweet-tart chew to these cookies.

      Reply
  6. Sara says

    December 10, 2016 at 9:58 PM

    These look completely addictive! I cannot resist pistachios!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 11, 2016 at 11:18 AM

      Plus pistachios have the lovely green hue – making them a perfect holiday nut!

      Reply
  7. Mahy says

    December 10, 2016 at 8:54 PM

    I love how melt in your mouth these look!! Plus the Cranberry & Pistachio combo is a favorite of mine–just doesn’t feel like the Holidays without them!! Thanks for sahring

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 11, 2016 at 11:17 AM

      They’re a favorite of ours too, Mahy!

      Reply
  8. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says

    December 10, 2016 at 5:10 PM

    These look fab 😀 love the festive flavours and that.snowy coating. I might have to borrow your tradition

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 10, 2016 at 5:46 PM

      It’s a good one, for sure!

      Reply
  9. leslieabelle says

    November 27, 2016 at 8:51 AM

    These look and sound amazing! Pistachio is one of my flavors — can’t wait to make these!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 27, 2016 at 11:34 AM

      Thank you Leslie! Let me know how you like them!

      Reply
  10. Karyn says

    November 26, 2016 at 7:03 PM

    OMG.. these are seriously good cookies.. I love the combo of pistachio and cranberry, so Christmassy and a very easy recipe to follow. P.s. love your photos too 😉

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 27, 2016 at 11:33 AM

      Yes, this is a very simple recipe and it’s one of my all-time favorites!

      Reply
  11. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says

    November 26, 2016 at 6:10 PM

    Love love this flavour combo they looks delicious

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 27, 2016 at 11:32 AM

      Thanks, Emma! I’m so glad you like them!

      Reply
  12. Amanda | My Gluten-Free Miami says

    November 26, 2016 at 5:23 PM

    I was just thinking about having some friends over for tea. These cookies will be the perfect thing to serve! They are so festive for the holidays.

    Reply
  13. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says

    November 26, 2016 at 1:11 PM

    Holiday traditions involving food are always the best and anytime you include cranberries it just seems like Christmas!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 26, 2016 at 1:40 PM

      Definitely!

      Reply
  14. Natalie says

    November 26, 2016 at 1:10 PM

    These look absolutely delicious Lisa. Perfect, just perfect for upcoming holidays. What an interesting combo – pistachios and cranberries.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 26, 2016 at 1:39 PM

      They have Christmas-y colors! That’s why we call them Christmas cookies!

      Reply
      • Natalie says

        November 26, 2016 at 2:16 PM

        🙂

        Reply
  15. Everyday Sarah Jane says

    November 26, 2016 at 9:57 AM

    Not only are these gorgeous, but I love how festive they look as well! Can’t wait to make a batch for the holidays!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 26, 2016 at 10:10 AM

      They don’t last in our house, Sarah!

      Reply
  16. Natalia says

    December 10, 2014 at 3:51 AM

    Looks so good!!!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 10, 2014 at 6:33 AM

      Thanks, Natalia! These are good – I didn’t make them for the cookie swap because I was concerned how the confectioners sugar would hold up to travel.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Lisa

Calling all cooks! You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to get a delicious, healthy meal on the table! At Garlic & Zest, I’ll show you how to make hundreds of seasonal, fresh recipes and indulgent comfort foods with easy step-by-step instructions and photos to help you master the dish.

Let’s get cooking!

Ebook Signup

Recent Posts

  • 1 Hot Buttered Rum Mix – 4 Hot Rum Drinks
  • Creamy Vegan Asparagus Soup
  • Mediterranean Khorasan Wheat Salad
  • Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies with Jam
  • Fried Whole Belly Clams with Simple Tartar Sauce

Popular Posts

Southern Pecan Caramel SauceSouthern Pecan Caramel Sauce162K Total Shares
Warm Lemon Butter Lobster RollWarm Lemon Butter Lobster Roll57K Total Shares
Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted GarlicMashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic41K Total Shares
Grilled Herb-Crusted Lamb KebabsGrilled Herb-Crusted Lamb Kebabs28K Total Shares
Authentic Mexican ChalupasAuthentic Mexican Chalupas20K Total Shares
Creamy Lobster Bisque From ScratchCreamy Lobster Bisque From Scratch13K Total Shares
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with ThymeCreamy Scalloped Potatoes with Thyme9K Total Shares
Asian Steamed BunsAsian Steamed Buns8K Total Shares
Black Bean DipBlack Bean Dip6K Total Shares
Red Bean and Sausage SoupRed Bean and Sausage Soup6K Total Shares
Amazon Affiliate:
Garlic & Zest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Featured On

Amazon Affiliate: Garlic & Zest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Work with me    Disclaimer

Copyright © 2019 GarlicAndZest - Designed by TailoredDesignsCo