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Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies – Festive, Buttery & Beautifully Chewy-Crisp

These Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies are one of the most stunning and festive holiday cookies you can bake — buttery, delicately crisp on the edges, soft inside, and filled with pops of green pistachios and ruby-red cranberries. Each cookie is shaped into a mini wreath, rolled in sparkling sugar, and finished with a simple glaze or a decorative ribbon of icing to mimic a Christmas garland. They’re elegant enough for holiday parties and cookie boxes but easy enough for everyday seasonal baking. If you want a cookie that tastes incredible and looks like it belongs in a gourmet bakery window, this is it.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 20 Cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup finely chopped pistachios
  • ½ cup finely chopped dried cranberries
Optional Coating
  • ½ cup sparkling sanding sugar
  • or crushed pistachios for rolling
  • Simple Icing Optional for Decor
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 –2 tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
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Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Parchment-lined baking sheets
  • Rolling pin (optional)
  • Cooling rack
  • Small piping bag or zip bag (optional for decorating)

Method
 

Step 1: Cream Butter & Sugar
  1. Beat softened butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until pale, light, and creamy.
  2. Add:
  3. egg
  4. vanilla
  5. almond extract
  6. Mix until smooth.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
  1. Whisk together:
  2. flour
  3. baking powder
  4. salt
  5. Add dry mixture to wet ingredients, mixing on low until combined and soft dough forms.
  6. Fold in:
  7. chopped pistachios
  8. chopped cranberries
  9. Dough should be firm but workable.
  10. Chill 20–30 minutes for easier shaping.
Step 3: Shape the Wreaths
  1. Scoop 1 tbsp portions of dough and roll into small ropes about 6 inches long.
  2. Bring ends together to form a circle.
  3. Twist edges gently to create a wreath-like look.
  4. Optional: roll or sprinkle with:
  5. sanding sugar
  6. crushed pistachios
  7. or a mix of both
  8. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
  3. Cool cookies completely before decorating.
Step 5: Decorate (Optional)
  1. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and extract to make a thin icing.
  2. Use a piping bag or zip bag with a tiny corner snipped.
  3. Add:
  4. little bows
  5. garland zigzags
  6. dotted ornaments
  7. drizzle snow-like icing
  8. You can also add tiny dried cranberry bits or chopped pistachio “berries.”

Notes

🧊 Storage & Freezing

Room Temp: 5–7 days in airtight tin
Freeze (baked): up to 2 months
Freeze (shaped dough): 3 months (bake straight from frozen)
Perfect for cookie boxes — they hold shape beautifully.

🥄 Variations

White Chocolate Pistachio Wreaths
Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Cranberry Orange Wreaths
Add orange zest + orange icing.
Pistachio Matcha Wreaths
Add 1 tsp matcha to dough.
Almond Wreath Cookies
Add extra almond extract + slivered almonds.
Vegan Version
Use vegan butter + plant milk.
Gluten-Free Version
Use 1:1 gluten-free flour.
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Wreaths
Make dough without baking powder for more shortbread crunch.
Chocolate-Dipped Wreaths
Dip bottoms in dark chocolate.
Fruity Jewels Version
Add chopped dried apricots or cherries.
Sprinkle Wreaths
Roll edges in Christmas sprinkles.

❓ 10 FAQs

Why is my dough cracking when shaping?
Dough is too cold — warm with hands for a few seconds.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — refrigerate up to 48 hours.
Do they spread?
Only slightly, so wreath shapes hold nicely.
Can I use salted pistachios?
Yes — but reduce salt by ¼ tsp.
Can I use fresh cranberries?
No — they add too much moisture.
Can I shape them into bigger wreaths?
Yes — bake +2 minutes.
Can I skip decorating?
Absolutely — they’re beautiful even plain.
Can I add food coloring?
Yes — tint dough green or icing red.
Why almond extract?
It enhances pistachio flavor and gives a classic holiday aroma.
Can kids help with shaping?
Yes — easy and fun for little hands.

🏁 Conclusion

These Pistachio Cranberry Wreath Cookies are as gorgeous as they are delicious — buttery, festive, chewy-crisp, and loaded with holiday flavors. With colorful cranberries and green pistachios tucked into every bite, they bring instant Christmas magic to any cookie box, party platter, or gift tin.
They’re simple to make, stunning to display, and guaranteed to become a yearly favorite.