Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Recipe

Make Festive Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Recipe Today

These festive wreath-shaped cookies bring delightful holiday pistachio cranberry magic to your dessert table.

Nutty pistachios and tart cranberries create a stunning visual and flavor combination.

The delicate green and red colors shine through each carefully crafted cookie.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these treats irresistibly tempting.

Bakers love how simple ingredients can produce such elegant results.

You won’t believe how quickly these cookies disappear at holiday gatherings.

Serve these beautiful cookies and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Why Cranberry Wreath Cookies Are So Cheery

  • Craft Gourmet Delights: Elevate your baking skills with these elegant French-style macarons that look and taste like a professional pastry chef created them.
  • Impress with Elegant Presentation: Showcase a stunning dessert that combines vibrant pink color, delicate texture, and sophisticated flavor profile perfect for special occasions or gifting.
  • Master Precision Baking: Challenge yourself with a recipe that requires careful technique, offering a rewarding experience for bakers looking to improve their pastry-making skills.
  • Customize with Flavor Variations: Experiment with different color combinations and jam fillings to make these macarons uniquely yours, adding a personal touch to a classic dessert.

What Goes Into Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: A key base ingredient that provides structure to the cookie.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and become light and tender.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a soft, tender texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the cookies.
Mix-Ins and Decoration:
  • Pistachios, Dried Cranberries: Bring a delightful nutty crunch and tart sweetness to the cookies.
  • Green Sugar: Optional festive topping that adds a decorative touch to the wreath-shaped cookies.

Steps for Baking Cranberry Wreath Cookies Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F (175C). Prep a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cookie magic.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Snag a large mixing bowl and beat softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture.

Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

Drop in the egg and vanilla extract.

Mix until everything becomes best friends and combines smoothly.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Slowly introduce dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Stir gently until just combined – no overmixing allowed!

Step 6: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

Fold in your tasty extras:
  • Chopped pistachios
  • Dried cranberries

Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7: Shape Festive Wreaths

Roll the dough into tiny rounds (about 1 inch wide). Flatten each round slightly and create a cute little hole in the center to make wreath shapes.

Step 8: Add Holiday Sparkle

Sprinkle green sugar on top for that extra festive flair if you’re feeling fancy.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange cookies on the baking sheet, giving them some breathing room (about 2 inches apart).

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies chill on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely before devouring.

Notes for Festive Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

  • Use exact measurements for flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure consistent cookie texture and rise.
  • Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve light, fluffy consistency.
  • Mix pistachios and cranberries delicately to prevent overmixing and maintain cookie's tender crumb.
  • Use the back of a spoon or finger to form even wreath holes, ensuring uniform cookie appearance.
  • Refrigerate dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain intricate wreath design.

Ways to Change Up Cranberry Wreath Cookies

  • Almond Cherry Wreath Cookies: Swap pistachios with sliced almonds and dried cranberries with chopped dried cherries for a classic nutty-fruity combination.
  • Gluten-Free Holiday Rings: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats to create a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Spiced Wreaths: Substitute butter with coconut oil, egg with flax egg, and add warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom for a plant-based festive treat.
  • Low-Sugar Nutty Circles: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining the cookie's delicate texture.

Sips and Sides With Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

  • Pair Tangy Tea: Brew a bright Earl Grey tea to complement the cookies' nutty and tart flavor profile, cutting through the richness with its citrusy bergamot notes.
  • Create Creamy Contrast: Serve alongside a light vanilla bean panna cotta, which provides a smooth, silky texture that balances the cookies' crumbly consistency and highlights the pistachio's subtle sweetness.
  • Match Warming Beverage: Enjoy with a smooth chai latte, whose warm spices like cardamom and cinnamon echo the cookies' festive character and enhance the cranberry's slight tartness.
  • Enhance with Dessert Wine: Pour a small glass of sweet Moscato d'Asti, its light, effervescent nature and honeyed undertones perfectly matching the cookie's delicate wreath shape and fruity-nutty elements.

Storing Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Fresh

  • Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep container sealed to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
  • Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and store for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness. Spread on baking sheet in single layer and watch carefully to prevent burning.
  • Let refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly and regain original texture.

FAQs

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the shaped cookie dough for up to 2 weeks.

  • How do I ensure my cookies have a perfect wreath shape?

Gently press your thumb or the back of a spoon in the center of each dough ball, creating a small indent. Rotate the cookie as you press to create an even wreath shape.

  • What if I don't have green sugar for decoration?

No problem! You can skip the green sugar or use regular sugar, sprinkles, or leave them plain. The cookies will still taste delicious.

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Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Recipe

Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Festive holiday magic sparkles through these delightful Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies, blending nutty richness with tart cranberry sweetness. Winter celebrations become more delicious when you share these elegant, jewel-toned treats with cherished family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) shelled pistachios, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) dried cranberries, chopped

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decoration:

  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) green sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
  3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and uniform.
  5. Gradually introduce dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing.
  6. Delicately fold chopped pistachios and dried cranberries throughout the dough, ensuring even dispersion.
  7. Craft small dough rounds approximately 1 inch in diameter, gently pressing a center indentation to create a wreath-like shape.
  8. Optional: Dust cookie tops with green sugar for a festive appearance.
  9. Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining 2-inch spacing between each.
  10. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges transform to a golden hue.
  11. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Soften butter completely at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother cookie texture.
  • Chop pistachios finely to distribute evenly and prevent large chunks disrupting cookie shape.
  • Swap dried cranberries with other dried fruits like cherries or blueberries for flavor variation.
  • Use gluten-free flour blend to make cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 92 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 37 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 0.7 g
  • Protein: 1.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 17 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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