Pistachio pudding kiss cookies combine classic pistachio flavor with a sweet chocolate Kiss for a festive treat that’s both delicious and beautiful.
These pistachio kiss cookies offer a flavorful sweet dessert that’s perfect for holiday sharing and gifting.
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I love pistachio desserts and their mildly sweet, buttery, and nutty taste that makes them irresistible.
These pistachio kiss cookies are a favorite around here, and are a fantastic go-to choice when you’re building your holiday cookie tray this year!
They strike the perfect balance of sweetness without going overboard, which is so refreshing during a season when sweets are in abundance.
They’re not only delicious but also look stunning on a Christmas cookie platter.
That pop of green from the pistachio pudding, combined with a classic Hershey Kiss, really makes them stand out among other treats.
Whether you’re setting up a holiday buffet or packing up cookie tins for handmade gifts, these Christmas pistachio cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.
More Pistachio Cookies You’ll Love:
- Pistachio Pudding Cookies
- Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
- Pistachio Cherry Cookies
Customizing Pistachio Pudding Kiss Cookies
Pistachio blossom cookies bring a bit of nostalgia to holiday baking.
They’re similar to the classic peanut butter blossom cookies, but the pistachio flavor gives them a unique spin that feels a bit more sophisticated.
Every time I whip up a batch of these, I get compliments not only on how pretty they are but also on their perfect blend of flavors.
What’s more, you can bump these cookies to a whole new level with a few simple tweaks.
Classic milk chocolate Hersey kisses are a traditional choice (and my personal favorite), but you can experiment with a different flavored kiss.
Around Christmas time, I like to make some with the Sugar Cookie flavored Hershey Kisses, because they’re white with red and green flecks in them, as you can see below.
You can also get creative with how you prepare the dough.
While rolling the cookies in chopped pistachios adds a nice crunch and extra pistachio flavor, you could also try rolling them in colored sanding sugar to give them a glittery, festive finish.
Green and red sugar would make these Christmas pistachio cookies stand out even more on a holiday tray!
For a more subtle look, skip the pistachio rolling altogether and go for a smooth cookie base with just the kiss on top.
You can even switch out the almond extract for vanilla or add a touch of orange zest to give the cookies a citrusy twist.
Whether you stick to the original or mix things up, these pistachio blossom cookies are super versatile and can be customized to suit your tastes or holiday theme.
More Pistachio Desserts for the Holidays:
- The Best Pistachio Pudding Desserts
- Pistachio Bread
- Pistachio Pudding Cake
- Pistachio Whoopie Pies
- Pistachio Puppy Chow
- No-Churn Pistachio Ice Cream
- Old-Fashioned Pistachio Fluff
- Pistachio Sheet Cake
How to Make Pistachio Cookies with Hersey Kisses
It’s really easy to make this sweet treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Unsalted Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Egg
- Almond Extract
- Instant Pistachio Pudding Mix
- All-Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Baking Soda
- Chopped Salted and Shelled Pistachios
- Hershey Kiss Candies
How to Make It:
(Full printable recipe card is available below)
Combine the wet ingredients. First, you’ll beat together butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
Add egg and almond extract and mix to incorporate.
Combine the dry ingredients. Next, you’ll whisk together pistachio pudding mix, flour, salt, and baking soda.
Next, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Shape and bake. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out rounds of dough, rolling into balls.
If desired, roll dough balls into chopped pistachio pieces, pressing the pieces into the dough. Then, place balls on a cookie sheet, leaving a couple of inches in between them.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until tops are cracking slightly and edges are very lightly golden-brown.
Add the kisses. Last, you’ll remove the cookies from oven and place an unwrapped Kiss candy in the center, pressing it down into the cookie while it’s still warm.
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Then serve and enjoy!
Notes and Adaptations:
- Rolling these cookies in chopped pistachios is optional. I like the crunch it provides, but some members of my family prefer them without. You could always do half and half!
- You can also roll the cookies in sanding sugar for a sparkly look!
- Part of the fun is changing up the type of Hershey Kisses you can use. The standard milk chocolate is my favorite, but my kids loved the fun holiday look of the sugar cookie Kisses. Feel free to try other flavors as well!
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Recommended Equipment:
Pistachio Kiss Cookies
Pistachio pudding kiss cookies are a lovely and delicious option that's full of pistachio flavor and topped with your favorite Hershey Kiss candies!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3.4-oz instant pistachio pudding mix
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups chopped salted and shelled pistachios (optional for rolling)
- 24 Hershey Kiss candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer), beat together butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and almond extract and mix to incorporate.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together pistachio pudding mix, flour, salt, and baking soda.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out rounds of dough, rolling into balls. If desired, roll dough balls into chopped pistachio pieces, pressing the pieces into the dough.
- Place balls on a cookie sheet, leaving a couple of inches in between them. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until tops are cracking slightly and edges are very lightly golden-brown.
- Remove from oven and place an unwrapped Kiss candy in the center, pressing it down into the cookie. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Rolling these cookies in chopped pistachios is optional. I like the crunch it provides, but some members of my family prefer them without. You could always do half and half!
- You could also roll the cookie dough in sanding sugar for a sparkly and festive look.
- Part of the fun is changing up the type of Hershey Kisses you can use. The standard milk chocolate is my favorite, but my kids loved the fun holiday look of the sugar cookie Kisses. Feel free to try other flavors as well!
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Checkered Chef Cooling Rack Baking Rack Twin Set. Stainless Steel Oven and Dishwasher Safe Wire Rack. Fits Half Sheet Cookie Pan
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USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, Warp Resistant Nonstick Baking Pan, Made in the USA from Aluminized Steel 17 1/4 x12 1/4 x1
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HOMURE H Cookie Scoop Set - Include 1 Tbsp/ 2 Tbsp/ 3Tbsp - 3 PCS Cookie Scoops for Baking - Cookie Dough Scoop - Made of 18/8 Stainless Steel
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Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer with Whisk, Traditional Beaters, Snap-On Storage Case, 250 Watts, White
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KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, White
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 150Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
Be sure to save this recipe to your cookies board on Pinterest!
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