Gluten free butter cookies with pistachios are rich, delicious, and perfect for your holiday party! The crisp butter cookie plus rich chocolate and nuts make these irresistible!
When I thought about the recipes I wanted to make this Christmas season, I had a few goals. One of them was that I really wanted to come up with a butter cookie recipe that was super delicious, and also held up well, despite being gluten free and vegan.
And…I think I did it! These gluten free butter cookies are so, so, so good. Darryl said, “Best cookies, ever!” They are buttery, but not crumbly, and rich, but not too rich. The pistachios are a nice surprise.
These gluten free butter cookies are delicious on their own, and also tasty with the chocolate and pistachios on top. I baked half the dough on Saturday, and I saved half and put it in the freezer. So that means I’ll be making a batch of these again very soon!
If you can’t do nuts, I would recommend using ground sunflower seeds or ground pumpkin seeds instead. They will still give this recipe a bit of texture and nutty flavor.
Can you freeze butter cookie dough?
Yes, this dough freezes very well. I did freeze half of this gluten free butter cookie dough and then baked them on Christmas Eve. They baked up very nicely, and still tasted great! Just form the dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. When you’re ready, slice and bake the cookies.
What type of gluten free flour will work for cookies?
A good gluten free flour blend is a great choice for cookie baking. There are blends by Enjoy Life, Namaste Foods, and other brands. I prefer to make my own mix – find my recipe here.
These gluten free butter cookies are easily customized! Try:
- dipping in chocolate and crushed candy canes
- using finely shredded coconut instead of pistachios
- using finely ground seeds rather than nuts
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Gluten Free Butter Cookies with Pistachios
Gluten free butter cookies topped with chocolate and pistachios make a decadent holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan buttery spread softened
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend
- ½ cup unsalted pistachios finely ground
- ½ cup unsalted pistachios coarsely ground
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grind a half cup of pistachios in the food processor until very fine, and set aside. Grind the other half cup until coarse and set aside.
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Beat vegan butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the applesauce, mix until combined.
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Combine gluten free flour, finely ground pistachios, and salt and add to the wet ingredients a little at a time until incorporated.
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Divide dough into 2 equal parts; flatten each portion into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
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Place 1 portion of dough on a lightly floured surface, and roll to ¼-inch thickness. Make sure your rolling pin is coated with GF flour. If you haven’t tried to roll GF dough before, it can be sticky! Flouring the surface and the pin thoroughly help make it easier.
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Cut out round shapes with a two inch fluted biscuit cutter. Carefully lift the rounds up with a thin spatula and transfer to a parchment lined cookie sheet.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes for 2 inch cookies. (Keep an eye on them, the edges should be lightly golden brown. Don’t let them burn! Let them cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
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Melt the chocolate chips in a glass bowl in the microwave. I start with one minute, stir, and then do 15 second increments until they are melted and smooth.
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Spread the melted chocolate over half of each cookie, and then dip in the coarsely ground pistachios. Set on waxed paper to cool and let the chocolate firm up.
Recipe Notes
You can freeze this dough if you wish! Just roll into a log, wrap well in plastic wrap and then foil. Slice and bake the frozen dough when you are ready to use it.
If you can't do nuts, use ground sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
If you can eat dairy, go ahead and use regular butter.
Nutrition facts are for one cookie.
Katie
Delicious recipe!
Kriti
I’m going to try to make these for my aunt who was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Is it alright if i substitute the spread with butter (dairy based)?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, dairy butter will work well!
tara
Hi what GF flour blend did you use ? I have Better Batter at home and Bob’s
Jackie @ La Casa de Sweets
These look delicious!!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
I’ve recently fallen in love with pistachios. I don’t know what took me so long! I must make these for my vegan mom. Do you use Earth Balance for your vegan buttery spread?
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating
Yes! I like the soy free earth balance buttery spread – the tub that has the red lid.
Mia @ mossyjojo
Yum!!! Just curious, can i replace the gluten free flour with plain flour or self raising instead?
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating
Yes, definitely! :)