There’s something magical about the combination of pistachios and chocolate — it’s sweet, salty, and indulgent all at once. These Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies bring that luxury flavor into a home-baked treat that feels straight out of a Dubai café. With chunks of rich chocolate bar and crunchy roasted pistachios in every bite, these cookies are the kind that disappear fast — warm, golden, and dangerously good.
The first time I baked these, I wanted something that felt special but simple. I had a pistachio chocolate bar in the pantry and thought, why not chop it up and throw it into cookie dough? The result was incredible — the buttery dough, gooey chocolate, and nutty crunch were a perfect match. Since then, these cookies have joined my baking favorites alongside my Chewy Brownie Cookies and White Chocolate Macadamia Bars.
Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract (and almond extract if using). Beat until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until combined.
- Fold in chopped chocolate bar pieces and pistachios with a spatula. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Scoop 1½ tablespoon portions onto baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden but centers are soft.
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
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Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies
These cookies are rich, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth good. The combination of buttery dough, pistachio bits, and melted chocolate chunks gives them a unique flavor that’s sophisticated but still totally comforting. They’re perfect for gifting, holiday baking, or an everyday treat with coffee.
If you love classic flavors with a twist, like my Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies or Salted Caramel Blondies, these cookies are going to be your new favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup chopped pistachios (roasted, unsalted)
- ¾ cup chopped chocolate bar (milk or dark)
Optional Add-ins:
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract for extra flavor
- Sea salt flakes for topping
If you love baking with chocolate and nuts, you’ll also enjoy my Brown Butter Toffee Cookies — another easy recipe that feels bakery-level fancy.
How to Make Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract (and almond extract if using). Beat until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until combined.
Step 5: Add Chocolate and Pistachios
Fold in chopped chocolate bar pieces and pistachios with a spatula. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop 1½ tablespoon portions onto baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden but centers are soft.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired.
If you love easy cookie recipes that look fancy, this one’s as foolproof as my Nutella-Stuffed Cookies.
Tips for Perfect Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies
- Use room temperature butter: It helps create that perfect chewy texture.
- Chop your chocolate bar: You’ll get big, melty chunks instead of tiny chips.
- Don’t overbake: Take them out when the centers look slightly underdone — they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Toast your pistachios: It brings out their buttery flavor and crunch.
These little details make a big difference — the same kind of baking magic I use in my Gooey S’mores Bars.
How to Store and Freeze
Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing Dough: Scoop dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then store in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen — just add 1–2 minutes to the time.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool completely and freeze up to 3 months. Warm them in the microwave for 10 seconds to revive that gooey texture.
Flavor Variations
- White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies: Swap dark chocolate for white chocolate chunks.
- Salted Caramel Twist: Add caramel bits for extra sweetness.
- Double Chocolate: Mix in a tablespoon of cocoa powder with the flour for a chocolate base.
- Dubai Style: Add a pinch of cardamom or rosewater for a Middle Eastern flair.
If you love bold flavor twists, this recipe is as fun to experiment with as my Baklava-Inspired Blondies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use salted pistachios?
Yes, but reduce added salt slightly to balance the flavor.
2. What kind of chocolate bar works best?
Any high-quality milk or dark chocolate bar — chopped into chunks — works beautifully.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill for up to 48 hours before baking for even deeper flavor.
4. How can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for perfect results.
The Final Bite
These Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies are buttery, rich, and absolutely irresistible. Every bite has melty chocolate and crunchy pistachio pieces that make them feel gourmet without any extra effort. Whether you serve them for dessert, bring them to a party, or sneak one with your morning coffee, they’re pure cookie perfection.
Serve them warm with a glass of milk or alongside my Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe for the ultimate cozy treat.