The Best Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Have you ever dreamed of a pistachio cranberry wreath that sparkles with festive charm?

Delicate green nuts scattered through buttery dough create a visual masterpiece.

Festive baking can become pure magic with this simple yet elegant treat.

Crumbly cookies merge sweet and nutty flavors into one delightful bite.

Color and texture combine, making each morsel a celebration of winter’s warmth.

Seasonal gatherings deserve something special that looks stunning and tastes incredible.

Bake these cookies to impress everyone at your next holiday event.

What Makes Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Stand Out

• Celebrate Festive Creativity: Craft a delightful holiday-themed cookie that transforms traditional baking into an artistic experience with its wreath-like design.
• Effortless Elegance: Achieve a sophisticated dessert with simple ingredients and basic baking skills, making it perfect for home bakers of all levels.
• Burst of Flavor Fusion: Enjoy the delightful combination of nutty pistachios and tart cranberries, creating a memorable taste profile that excites the palate.
• Stress-Free Decorating: Easily customize and embellish cookies with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and additional nuts, making them look professionally prepared with minimal effort.

Homemade Gumdrops Pantry Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Soft and light foundation for the cookie base.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
• Cornstarch: Adds delicate texture and softness.

• Butter: Rich and creamy base for cookie dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor.

• Pistachios, Dried Cranberries: Crunchy nuts and tart berries provide delightful texture and flavor contrast.

• Chopped Pistachios, Dried Cranberries, Powdered Sugar: Adds visual appeal and extra layer of flavor and texture.

How to Make Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect warm environment for your cookie magic.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and airy. Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly to create a smooth, fragrant foundation.

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cornstarch

Whisk these ingredients until perfectly integrated, then gradually fold into the creamy mixture. Stir until a soft, pliable dough emerges.

Step 4: Add Delightful Mix-Ins

• Finely chopped pistachios
• Dried cranberries

Distribute these tasty morsels evenly throughout the dough, ensuring each cookie will be bursting with flavor.

Step 5: Shape Festive Wreaths

Roll the dough into small, charming balls. Create a delicate hole in the center of each ball, smoothing the edges to form a wreath shape. If you have a wreath-shaped cookie cutter, feel free to use it for consistent shapes.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the cookie wreaths on your prepared baking sheet. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for edges to turn a beautiful, light golden color – a sign of cookie greatness.

Step 7: Finish with Festive Flair

• Chopped pistachios
• Dried cranberries
• Light dusting of powdered sugar

Create a stunning, festive treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Cookie Tips That Wreathe Pistachio and Cranberry Together

• Chop Nuts Precisely: Use a sharp knife to finely chop pistachios for even distribution and consistent texture throughout the cookies.
• Prevent Dough Sticking: Lightly flour your hands when shaping wreaths to keep the dough from clinging to your fingers and ensure smooth cookie formation.
• Control Moisture Balance: Add cornstarch to create a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture that prevents excessive spreading during baking.
• Decorate with Delicacy: Dust powdered sugar gently using a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant, even coating that doesn’t overwhelm the cookie’s delicate flavor profile.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their pristine wreath shape.

Wrap Wreath Cookies to Stay Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep them cool and dry to maintain their delicate texture.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies on a baking sheet at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their crispness. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Let refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften and regain their original texture before serving.

Homemade Tortillas Serving Suggestions

• Sparkling Festive Beverage Pairing: Pair these delicate cookies with a chilled glass of prosecco or champagne, which cuts through the buttery richness and complements the nutty pistachio flavor.
• Creamy Complementary Match: Serve alongside a warm chai latte or almond milk, enhancing the cookies’ subtle sweetness and nutty undertones while providing a cozy drinking experience.
• Holiday Dessert Wine Selection: Choose a light moscato or sweet riesling that echoes the cranberry’s tartness and highlights the cookies’ delicate texture, creating a harmonious taste combination.
• Herbal Tea Companion: Brew a pot of mild green tea or chamomile tea, which cleanses the palate and balances the cookie’s rich, sweet profile without overwhelming its delicate flavors.

Homemade Gumdrop Festive Mixes

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cookie’s delicate texture and rich flavor.
• Vegan Variation: Swap butter for coconut oil and use a plant-based powdered sugar to craft a dairy-free cookie that retains the original’s crumbly, nutty profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while preserving the cookie’s delightful sweetness.
• Nutty Alternative: Experiment with different nuts like pecans or almonds to replace pistachios, offering a unique flavor profile while keeping the cookie’s signature wreath shape.

FAQs

• Are pistachios necessary for this recipe?

While pistachios are a key ingredient providing texture and flavor, you can substitute with almonds or walnuts if needed, though the distinctive pistachio taste will change.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the shaped cookie dough for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps the butter firm up and maintains the wreath shape, preventing excessive spreading.

• Is cornstarch important in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender cookie texture. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can omit it, but the cookies might be slightly less delicate.

Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive pistachio cranberry wreath cookies bring holiday cheer with elegant European flair. Sweet nutty crunch meets tart cranberry in these delightful treats you’ll treasure during seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional for extra tenderness)

Fats and Sweeteners:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

• 1/2 cup pistachios, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

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Instructions

1. Combine softened butter and powdered sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture achieves a cloud-like, airy consistency. Incorporate vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
2. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch until evenly integrated.
3. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the butter blend, stirring gently until a cohesive dough emerges.
4. Delicately fold finely chopped pistachios and dried cranberries throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution.
5. Gently form the dough into petite, uniform spheres, then carefully craft each ball into a wreath shape by creating a central opening and smoothing the circular edges with gentle fingertip pressure.
6. Position the wreath-shaped cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between each delicate pastry.
7. Slide the prepared baking sheet into a preheated oven set at 350°F, allowing the cookies to transform into golden-edged delicacies over 12-15 minutes.
8. Transfer the freshly baked wreaths onto a wire cooling rack, permitting them to reach room temperature.
9. Embellish the cooled cookies with additional chopped pistachios, scattered cranberry fragments, and a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing without lumps.
• Chop pistachios and cranberries finely to distribute evenly throughout the cookie dough for consistent flavor and texture.
• Add extra crunch by toasting pistachios lightly before incorporating into the dough for enhanced nutty depth.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend while maintaining same measurement proportions.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg