Pistachio Wedding Cookies are soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that combine the delicate sweetness of traditional wedding cookies with the rich, nutty flavor of pistachio. These cookies have a tender, velvety texture thanks to the addition of pistachio pudding mix, which gives them a beautiful pale-green color and a mild aromatic flavor.
Often made during holidays, weddings, and special gatherings, Pistachio Wedding Cookies are loved for their simplicity, elegance, and irresistible powdered-sugar coating. Whether you are preparing them for a cookie exchange, a festive dessert table, or simply as a treat for your family, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.
Why You’ll Love These Pistachio Wedding Cookies
Before jumping to the recipe, here’s why bakers adore these cookies:
✦ They melt in your mouth
The combination of butter and pudding mix makes the crumb extremely soft and delicate.
✦ They are easy to prepare
The dough comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
✦ Perfect for celebrations
Wedding cookies are known for elegance, and the pistachio twist makes them unique and unforgettable.
✦ Great for gifting
They store well and look beautiful neatly arranged in a box dusted with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup salted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package pistachio instant pudding mix (3.4 ounces), dry
For Coating
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (for rolling the baked cookies)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add ½ cup powdered sugar and continue mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
2. Add the vanilla
Mix in the vanilla extract until well incorporated.
3. Combine the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and the dry pistachio pudding mix.
4. Form the dough
Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Chill the dough
Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape and improves texture.
6. Shape the cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Scoop out teaspoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into small smooth balls.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Press each ball gently with the back of a measuring spoon to flatten slightly.
7. Bake
Bake for 6 to 9 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
The tops should remain pale.
8. Coat in sugar
Let the cookies cool for 3–5 minutes on the baking sheet.
While still slightly warm, roll them in powdered sugar.
Place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once fully cooled, roll them one more time in powdered sugar for the classic wedding-cookie finish.
Tips for the Best Pistachio Wedding Cookies
✔ Do not overbake
These cookies taste best when soft. Remove them as soon as the bottoms turn light golden.
✔ Chill the dough
Cold dough prevents spreading and keeps the cookies thick and tender.
✔ Coat while warm
The first sugar coating sticks better when the cookies are warm.
Optional Add-Ins and Variations
✦ Add chopped pistachios
For more crunch and a stronger pistachio flavor, add ¼ cup finely chopped pistachios to the dough.
✦ Add almond extract
A few drops of almond extract intensify the nutty flavor.
✦ Color enhancement
If you prefer a brighter green color, you can add a tiny drop of gel food coloring.
✦ Shape variations
You may shape these into crescents, balls, or flattened rounds depending on the occasion.
Storage Instructions
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature.
- They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze them without the powdered sugar, then dust after defrosting.