November 4, 2021 • 10 comments

Pistachio Kiss Cookies {Christmas Cookie Recipe}

Name: Pistachio Kiss Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2/3 cup powdered sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3/4 tsp almond extract; 1 (3.4oz) box instant pistachio pudding mix; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips; 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans; 36 Hershey kisses

green pistachio cookies with a kiss on top

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Pistachio Kiss Pudding Cookies – Pudding mix makes these Christmas cookies so soft and yummy, and a kiss on top makes them extra fun. You’ll love them, and so will everyone else!

These Christmas cookies were an experiment, and we were all pretty pleased with the yummy results. Pudding cookies are always a hit, and these were no exception. The pistachio pudding mix gives the cookies not only great flavor, but a pretty green color.

I loved the crunch and flavor of the chopped pecans on the outside, but you can roll them in sugar instead if you prefer. Or of course you can roll them in chopped pistachios. 🙂

That little Hershey kiss on top makes them irresistible to kids and adults alike! I like them best after they have cooled and the chocolate is set up, and I actually thought they were better the next day.

pistachio pudding cookies with a hershey kiss on top

HOW TO MAKE PISTACHIO KISS COOKIES

PREP – Soften the butter to room temperature. Finely chop the pecans and place them in a bowl. Line a cookie sheet with silicon or parchment, or spray with cooking spray. Unwrap the Hershey kisses. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
WET INGREDIENTS – In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar till creamy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
DRY INGREDIENTS – Whisk together the dry pudding mix, flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Add to the creamed mixture with the chocolate chips. Stir till thoroughly combined.
FORM – Roll dough into 1 inch balls, then roll in the chopped pecans. Place on baking sheets at least 2 inches apart.
BAKE – Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Immediately press a chocolate kiss in the middle of each cookie.
COOL – Carefully remove cookies to cooling racks to cool. If you jostle them while the kiss is melted, it will collapse.

pistachio kiss pudding cookies on a cooling rack

Leftover cookies?

You can store these cookies at room temperature for 4-5 days. I don’t recommend freezing them, because the chocolate kisses fall off when they get cold.

These make great Christmas cookies to give to neighbors! I put a few cookies in a cellophane treat bag, and attach a cute Christmas gift tag with curling ribbon. Super simple, but fun to hand out.

MORE KISS COOKIES:

Yield: 3 dozen