If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s anything but ordinary, you’re going to adore this Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Imagine biting into a soft, golden chocolate chip cookie with a luscious, gooey pistachio cream center that practically melts in your mouth. I first tried this recipe when I wanted to surprise my family with something decadent yet comforting—and wow, they went crazy for it! Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can make these irresistible treats yourself.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combo: The rich, nutty pistachio cream melting inside classic chocolate chip cookies creates a gourmet twist you’ll crave again and again.
- Perfectly Soft and Gooey: These cookies come out with just the right balance of chewy edges and gooey center, just how I love them.
- Simple Steps with a Wow Factor: You’ll impress friends and family without complicated techniques or obscure ingredients.
- Customizable Ingredients: Whether you use homemade or store-bought pistachio cream, you’re guaranteed a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your hands on the right ingredients really makes this Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe shine. Each component plays a key role—from the buttery dough to the creamy pistachio surprise. Here are a few tips on picking the best for your batch.

- Pistachio Cream: Homemade is amazing if you have time, but quality store-bought options work wonderfully too; just make sure it’s smooth and spreadable.
- Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted so I can control the saltiness better, and it gives that rich buttery flavor every cookie needs.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and subtle caramel notes that deepen the cookie’s flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Gives a bit of crunch and balances sweetness; don’t skip it!
- Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Vanilla Paste or Extract: Vanilla paste gives little vanilla bean specks and intense flavor but extract works fine too.
- All Purpose Flour: Provides the structure; spoon and level it for accurate measurement to avoid dense cookies.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: A combo that helps cookies rise and stay tender.
- Fine Sea Salt: Enhances every flavor, especially the chocolate and pistachio.
- Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: Feel free to pick semi-sweet or bittersweet depending on your chocolate preference.
- Toasted Pistachios: Adds crunch and an extra pistachio punch; toasting intensifies their nutty aroma.
- Flaky Sea Salt (optional): A little sprinkle on top amps up the flavor and adds a nice finishing touch.
Variations
I love playing around with this Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, and you’ll find that adding your own touch can make it even more special. Don’t be shy—experiment with mix-ins and tweaks to suit your taste.
- Nutty Upgrade: I sometimes swap toasted pistachios for chopped toasted almonds or pecans for a slightly different crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate Variety: Dark chocolate chunks stand out beautifully here, but white chocolate chips add a creamy sweetness that’s lovely with pistachio.
- Dietary Adaptation: For dairy-free, use vegan butter and check your chocolate chips; coconut oil can sometimes help with texture.
- Festive Flair: Add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the dough for seasonal warmth.
How to Make Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dough Base
Start by creaming the unsalted butter with both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-5 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. This step is key because it creates air bubbles that help your cookies rise perfectly. Once that’s ready, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in your vanilla paste or extract—it smells heavenly already! Combining these ingredients well is what makes the dough rich and tender.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Carefully
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed and helps avoid any unwanted lumps. Then slowly incorporate the dry mix into your butter-sugar-egg mixture, folding gently so you don’t overwork the dough and make it tough. When the dough starts to come together, fold in your chocolate chips and chopped toasted pistachios for that lovely mix of textures.
Step 3: Assemble the Stuffed Cookies
This part is my favorite! Take a generous tablespoon of dough and flatten it in your palm. Then, place about a teaspoon of pistachio cream in the center—don’t overfill or it will spill out during baking. Cover the pistachio cream with another tablespoon of dough and carefully seal the edges, shaping it into a nice round ball. Repeat this until all dough and filling are used up. You’ll want to chill the assembled cookie dough balls for at least 30 minutes—this helps prevent spreading so you keep that gorgeous pistachio-filled center.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top if you’re feeling fancy—it really complements the chocolate and nuts. Bake for 14-16 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers still look soft. That gooey pistachio cream should peek out just a little. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack; this lets them set while keeping their chew.
Pro Tips for Making Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Chill Your Dough Balls: This step is a game-changer—cold dough means less spreading and a perfect, gooey center that won’t leak.
- Use Quality Chocolate: I learned the hard way that cheap chocolate fades in flavor during baking; a good bittersweet bar chopped up can elevate the whole cookie.
- Don’t Overstuff Filling: Keeping your pistachio cream portion to about a teaspoon avoids messy spills and keeps the cookie shape intact.
- Let Cookies Rest After Baking: They continue to firm up as they cool; rushing to move them can cause breakage.
How to Serve Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top right after baking—it adds such a delightful contrast to the sweetness and highlights the pistachio flavor. Toasted pistachio halves pressed lightly on some cookies before baking make for a pretty and tasty touch, perfect if you want to impress guests.
Side Dishes
These cookies are a treat all on their own, but pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee or tea. If you’re serving them for a party, consider a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side —the creamy textures play so well together!
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or special occasions, I’ve assembled these cookies in a pretty tiered cake stand sprinkled with chopped pistachios around the base. Wrapping individual cookies in parchment tied with twine makes a charming gift too. You could even drizzle some melted white or dark chocolate for an elegant finish. Have fun with it—the look is as enticing as the taste!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days. I usually layer them between parchment paper to keep them from sticking together and maintain their gooey pistachio centers.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, these cookies freeze wonderfully. I freeze the dough balls individually on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When I’m ready to bake, I let them thaw just enough to shape before popping into the oven—fresh-baked vibes every time!
Reheating
To warm up leftover cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes the gooey pistachio cream center without drying out the cookie. Microwave works too if you’re in a pinch—just do it in short bursts to avoid overheating.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought pistachio cream for this recipe?
Absolutely! While I love making my own pistachio cream for an extra fresh and nutty flavor, good quality store-bought pistachio cream works just fine and saves time. Just make sure it’s smooth and creamy to get that perfect molten center.
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How do I prevent the pistachio cream from leaking out during baking?
The key is not overstuffing the filling—about one teaspoon in the center is perfect. Also, chilling the cookie dough balls before baking helps them hold their shape and keeps the filling enclosed.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Replace the butter with a vegan butter substitute and use dairy-free chocolate chips to make these cookies dairy-free. The texture and flavor might be slightly different but still delicious.
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How long should I chill the cookie dough before baking?
At least 30 minutes in the fridge is best, but if you can chill them a bit longer, that helps the cookies spread less and gives a thicker, chewier result with the perfect gooey pistachio center.
Final Thoughts
This Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe quickly became a favorite in my house because it brings something delightfully unexpected to a classic cookie. I love sharing it with friends—everyone’s eyes light up when they discover that luscious green core nestled inside. Give it a try soon; you’ll enjoy watching the smiles as these treats disappear bite after bite!
Print
Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Pistachio Cream Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are a decadent twist on the classic favorite, featuring a gooey pistachio cream center wrapped in a buttery, chewy chocolate chip cookie. Perfectly balanced with toasted pistachios and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, these cookies offer a delightful combination of rich chocolate, nutty pistachio, and a hint of sweetness in every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 225 g unsalted butter (1 cup)
- 200 g light brown sugar (1 cup)
- 135 g granulated sugar (⅔ cup)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or extract
- 360 g all purpose flour (2 ¾ cups + 2 Tbsp)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 200 g semi or bittersweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
Filling and Toppings
- 430 g homemade or store-bought pistachio cream
- 100 g toasted pistachios, chopped (½ cup), plus more for sprinkling if desired
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla paste or extract until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped toasted pistachios evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape and Fill Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out two tablespoons of dough per cookie. Flatten one portion slightly in your hand, then place about one tablespoon of pistachio cream in the center. Carefully top with another portion of dough and seal the edges, forming a ball around the pistachio cream to enclose it fully.
- Chill the Dough: Place the stuffed cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. This helps maintain shape during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chilled cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the tops with additional chopped pistachios and a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the gooey pistachio center from leaking out prematurely. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use either store-bought or homemade pistachio cream for a luscious, gooey filling.
- Chilling the cookie dough before baking helps preserve the filling and prevents spreading.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to enhance the flavor contrast between sweet and salty.
- These cookies are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Make sure to toast pistachios before chopping to bring out their full nutty flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg


