White and Dark Chocolate Chunk Salted Pistachio Dried Cranberry Drop Cookies + a Giveaway!

These white and dark chocolate chunk cranberry salted pistachio drop cookies require nothing more than a spoon.  Just drop them onto the baking sheet; No rolling, no shaping, no scooping, no cutting, no problem!

Hello, yeah it’s been a while, not much, how ’bout you?

I love that song, and it has been a while; almost three weeks to be exact.  Yeah, I know, I don’t post very often anyway (and that will eventually change), but for some inexplicable reason, this time it feels like I haven’t posted for months.

White and Dark Chocolate Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

There’s really no major reason behind it other than life stuff and that mysterious ‘lack of motivation’ plague that has been festering inside of me for months.  You know, the one I complain about in almost every.single.post.

Sorry about that.

Well, I’m back and I’ve returned with COOKIES!  Drop cookies.

“Me want cookies!” – the cookie monster

I was contacted by Wayfair.and Peapod a few weeks ago, telling me they paired up for holiday baking.  They asked if I’d like to bake some cookies using one of their recipes, and I could add my own take to their recipe(s), if I’d like..

Add my own take on it if I’d like? That’s like asking me if I’d like to breathe.

White and Dark Chocolate Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

I was also contacted by an old friend, OhNuts.com.  Every holiday they let me choose two ingredients to bake with then send them my way.  I love free stuff I can bake and cook with.  I never turn those down.  Not to mention, the quality and packing of OhNuts ‘nuts’ and other products they sell, is perfection.

I deeply recommend you order something from OhNuts and see for yourself, and I’m not just saying this because they sent me two free bags of nuts.  I don’t sell out for two bags of nuts (well..I did once, but I really liked the guy), or anything for that matter, but I do speak the truth.  I chose ‘insert different nut or candy each year’ and shelled pistachio nuts.  I have ripped my fingertips to shreds shelling pistachio nuts for baking, and I love to bake with pistachio nuts, so there is never a time where I don’t choose shelled pistachio nuts when given the opportunity.

So, I put a spin on their recipe for Festive Drop Cookies, from the several recipes Wayfair and Peapod sent me.  Well, more like a full lambada. I took the pistachios from Oh Nuts and paired them with dried cranberries, chunks of white and dark chocolate, and a bit of cinnamon and orange zest (try it with lime zest too, for a cranberry lime cookie!), in lieu of the M&Ms in their recipe, for drop cookies, to really make them pop and boy do they pop!  I’m very pleased with how these drop cookies turned out.

White and Dark Chocolate Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

A little story first.

Several years ago, I decided I was going to make a bunch of cookie baskets to give as gifts to acquaintances, friends (as a second gift, of course), the nail salon, the hair salon, the oil change place..OK, basically, if I used your service, you were getting a cookie basket, like it or not.

I AM COOKIE BASKET WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!

For two weeks, every day, I made 4 dozen of a new cookie, then froze them.  It became such an obsession, that I couldn’t think about anything other than what kind of cookie I was going to bake the next day.

If there is a holiday cookie or bar and then some, repertoire, you can bet your cotton pickin’ cookie dough I made it.  By the time I was satisfied, I had made about 20 different cookies and bars, and my freezer could barely shut since it was filled with tons of double thick freezer bags stuffed with almost every kind of cookie imaginable.  One week before Christmas, I loaded up ten pretty wicker baskets with 4 of each cookie, then wrapped the baskets in red and green (or Hanukkah blue for my  fellow Jewish friends) colored cellophane tied with mounds of curly/corkscrew ribbons (you know, the scissor drag trick).

I delivered each basket to some seriously flattering raves, the reflection of me walking funny with a giant cookie basket against my chest, via the glass doors of the different businesses I brought them to, becoming all too commonplace.

White and Dark Chocolate Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

There was one problem though, I still had tons of cookies left.  SO, I made a basket for my sister, the mother lode of all cookie baskets, one that came up to my hip when set on the floor.  BUT, I still had A LOT of cookies left.  I looked in the freezer, and it was as if the cookies were giving birth to more cookies; they really seemed to be multiplying and it was starting to sort of scare me! Delicious, festive holiday cookies were now an albatross; a cookie cross I had to bear.

Exterminators don’t deal with cookie infestations, so I went to my parent’s house and forced two huge cookie baskets on my Mother, begging her to give them to her hair and nail salons as gifts.

She declined, telling me it was too much since she already bought gifts for them, showing me two boxes of candy, lotion/perfume sets for the owners, plus tips with all.

That and a cookie basket the size of a small child? “Uh uh..no way”, she said adamantly.

“Yeah, but you can add these, they’ll love you!” I said, gently pushing one of the baskets against her, watching the cookie bulk create a dent in her thin arm.

“No, Lisa..it’s too much…really…” she said, sounding a little terrified as she moved away from the basket of evil multiplying cookies pressing harder against her flesh.

I was desperate.

“TAKE THE BASKETS……PLEEEASE!!” I roared, an almost guttural sound emanating from deep within my baked dough elimination desperation.

She finally gave in and took them.  Later on, she excitedly told me everyone was thrilled at both places, and went straight for the cookies, ignoring her candy, including the customers.  They freaked out about them, she said, and many packed some into bags to take home, some even asking if I could make some cookie baskets for them, no matter what the price.  Wow.

I felt great, but haven’t made a cookie basket since, no matter how many people asked for them (Update 2013: I made them again.).  I think I can only ‘Martha Stewart Overload’ about once or twice a decade, now.

White and Dark Chocolate Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

By the way, a little factoid regarding drop cookies   When baking drop cookies (or roll into balls cookies), like these, one tablespoon of cookie dough is actually about two measuring spoon tablespoons of dough, and one teaspoon of cookie dough is actually one measuring spoon tablespoon of cookie dough.  I’ve always used dinner/tableware spoons to drop cookie dough, the larger ‘tablespoon’ filled for one tablespoon, and the teaspoon, filled, for teaspoons.  Good to know I’ve been measuring and dropping cookies the right way, but it was kind of obvious considering they didn’t have measuring spoons when cookies were created – I think. (??).  Wait…Mrs. Tollhouse??

White and Dark Chocolate Chunk Dried Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

White Chocolate Chunk Dried Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: About 4 dozen
 
Adapted from Wayfair - Peapod
A subtle bit of orange zest and cinnamon really take these cookies over the top!
ingredients:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs or 4 egg whites
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted pistachios)
  • ½ cup quick cooking oats
  • 2 cups white chocolate chunks or 1½ cups white chocolate chips (or a mix of white and dark semisweet chocolate chunks) *
  • 2 cups whole, shelled pistachios, toasted (not chopped..you want them whole for a bigger bite), preferably Oh Nuts pistachios, since they, well..just taste better!
  • 1½ cups dried cranberries or cherries (or any dried fruit OR none at all)**
directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
  2. In a large mixing bowl beat butter, orange zest and sugars until creamy smooth. Add eggs or egg whites one at a time until incorporated. Add vanilla extract.
  3. In a medium bowl combine flour, cinnamon, salt (if not using salted nuts). oats, and baking soda. Mix well.
  4. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in white chocolate, pistachios and dried cranberries. The dough should be a little hard to stir with the white and/or dark chocolate, pistachios and dried cranberries added in. This is what you want. Chill the dough, in the fridge covered, for about 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough, two inches apart, onto lined baking sheet. If you like, cover baking pan with cookie balls and chill again in fridge for about an hour or two before baking. This intensifies the flavor and gives you a puffier cookie.
  6. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
notes:
* If you use white chocolate chips, the cookies won't be as puffy as the ones in my photos. Use chunks!
** If not using dried cranberries or other dried fruit, just add more chocolate and/or pistachios to equal about 1 cup.
- If desired, dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate and place back on baking sheet to set. Edible glitter and/or sprinkles make the chocolate dipping fun for kids, as you can see below.

White and Dark Chocolate Cranberry Salted Pistachio Drop Cookies

The kids love dipping drop cookies in chocolate and edible glitter

So, Wayfair sent mea little box of goodies to bake with..including the red spatula in the cookie dough photo and a Peapod added ar gift card to buy the ingredients to futz with one of their cookie recipes.  Here’s the best part..I’m offering one reader a Peapod gift card worth $25.00 to buy what you need or your holiday baking!

To enter..just leave a comment.

For extra entries:
1. Like Peapod on Facebook

2. Like Wayfair on Facebook

3. Follow me on Twitter

4, Follow me on Google+

Leave a separate comment for each thing you do.  A winner will be chosen via random.org on Friday, December 14, 2012.  If the winner does not respond to my email within 2 days, another winner will be chosen.

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122 Responses to White and Dark Chocolate Chunk Salted Pistachio Dried Cranberry Drop Cookies + a Giveaway!

  1. Shelley C says:

    I’ve missed you! And HAHAHA – You absolutely had an “oh no she di’int” moment in this post. Love it 🙂 The cookies look delicious!! I am in the process of making dozens and dozens of cookies right now, so I feel your freezer-issues and can totally understand not wanting to repeat THAT any time soon!

  2. kate C. says:

    Looks really tasty! Thanks!

  3. ramblingtart says:

    SO glad you’re back! I’ve been checking. 🙂 These look so scrumptious!! I love white chocolate with cranberries. 🙂

  4. Rosa Mayland says:

    Lovely cookies! They look really addictive.

    I’ve missed you too!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  5. Jenny says:

    Those cookies look fantastic!

  6. Jenny says:

    I liked Peapod on Facebook.

  7. Jenny says:

    I love Wayfair – I buy from them frequently – and already like them on Facebook.

  8. Jenny says:

    I already follow you on twitter @icywit

  9. Lora @cakeduchess says:

    These cookies are fantastic! I will soon be in the baking cookie mode. I am easing myself into it. I need to get some edible glitter…it’s so pretty! That last photo with the chocolate and gold glitter is so sparkly and lovely!! Great tips about the measuring out of the dough…now keep this yumminess coming, ok??:)

  10. Toni says:

    Just discovered you & UR blog & I love it!

  11. Liz Blunt says:

    Wow … your cookies look so yummy that I’ll have to make them! You’ve got a great blog!

  12. intensev5 says:

    Yum, Yum. Thanks for the giveaway

  13. Holly says:

    So glad you are blogging again!! These cookies look delish!!! My office has been begging me to bake, I only do it once a year for work and these may just make their way into the list!!!

  14. Sara says:

    Those cookies look so yummy! I know not everyone loves white chocolate, but I am a huge fan!!

  15. Sara says:

    I added you on G+

  16. Sara says:

    I liked peapod on FB

  17. Sara says:

    I liked wayfair on fb.

  18. Alyse says:

    Anything to help with baking is a wonderful gift.

  19. rusthawk says:

    Those cookies look fantastic! Free baking stuffs? You bet!

  20. rusthawk says:

    I am one of your twitter followers @rusthawk.

  21. rusthawk says:

    I am one of Wayfair’s facebook followers.

  22. rusthawk says:

    I added you to my google circles (rust hawk)

  23. rusthawk says:

    I liked Peapod on facebook.

  24. Ilene says:

    Those cookies look amazing!

  25. Linda says:

    I love baking with cranberries – these cookies look so delicious!!

  26. You’ve been missed Lisa!!
    I loooooooove these cookies. Anything with white chocolate is definitely for me!:)

  27. Suz says:

    You had me at Cranberry Salted Pistachio . . . It could have said dog treats but I would have tried them anyway. Getting out ingredients now !

  28. Jan says:

    Oh yum! These cookies have to be added to my list! I think some plump dried cherries are going to be added instead of cranberries. Then again maybe a little of both! HaHa! Waaay to many decisions!
    Good to see that your posting again! Have a Happy Holiday to you and your hubby!

  29. barbara n says:

    I just finished decorating sugar cookies and have 2 more kinds to bake tomorrow! I love Christmas cookies!

  30. These cookies have everything to love and are perfect for Santa 😉

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  31. FoodBabbles says:

    These cookies sound amazing! I love pistachios but truth be told, I’ve never baked with them. In fact, the only thing I think I’ve done besides eat them straight was nougat. I think I need to rectify that and these cookies sound like just the thing. Lovely!

  32. FoodBabbles says:

    I like peapod on Facebook

  33. FoodBabbles says:

    I like Wayfair on Facebook

  34. FoodBabbles says:

    I follow you on twitter

  35. FoodBabbles says:

    I follow you on google+

  36. Jan R says:

    Love the cookie basket story…cookies look soooo good!

  37. Jan R says:

    I subscribe via email.

  38. Dan says:

    Great holiday cookies. Love the cranberry and the color just pops in your photos. Funny story about the baskets 🙂

  39. erica h says:

    I really must make these cookies! Yum!!!

  40. Rosanne says:

    Those cookies look amazing and are making me so hungry!

  41. Rosanne says:

    Like Peapod on Facebook-Rosanne Morrison

  42. Rosanne says:

    Like Wayfair on Facebook-Rosanne Morrison

  43. Rosanne says:

    Follow you on Twitter-rosannepm

  44. Rosanne says:

    Follow you on Google+-Rosanne Morrison

  45. Corisa says:

    woud love to win!

  46. Welcome back stranger….love shelled pistachios…they make fantastic cookies! Trader Joe’s is my go to…cheap cheap cheap!

  47. I freaking love these cookies. Totally gorgeous. I have such a weakness for pistachios.

  48. kim burnett says:

    thanks for the giveaway

  49. kim burnett says:

    liked peapod on facebook

  50. kim burnett says:

    liked wayfair on facebook

  51. silver price says:

    These look really good…my dad will ONLY eat chocolate chip cookies, so that’s usually what I make around here. I have rolled and frozen them before and they turned out great. He says no one makes cookies like I do, that mine are his absolute favorite, yada yada…and I’m getting married in 16 days! So, I told my mom that I’d have to make several batches of cookie dough and freeze it in rolls to last him for a while!

  52. These cookies are just the best combination of flavours…yum!

  53. Welcome back and you are back with a bang. Wow those cookies look so tempting sweet and salty is my weakness..and chewy! How perfect!

  54. Sarah S says:

    These cookies look amazing!

  55. Sumit Atre says:

    They look like they would melt in my mouth.

  56. It’s hard to find time to post during this time of year (okay, well it’s always hard to find time) I just got into New York the other day and am here until January 8th. Maybe an Arthur Ave, excursion?…..

  57. Jane Patience says:

    Wow! THanks. The cookies are sooo pretty!

  58. Andrea says:

    I always do cranberry, white chocolate chips biscotti, will do the cookies now!!

  59. Happy to see you back Cookie Monster 🙂 You have some tempting cookies sweet lady.

  60. Lilly Sue says:

    These look delicious!

  61. Ttrockwood says:

    Liked wayfair on fb (teri)

  62. Ttrockwood says:

    Liked peapod on fb (teri)

  63. Holy smokes Lisa, these cookies look fantastic! I do the “Martha Stewart” cookie basket thing every year, but to a much smaller extent – my hairdresser doesn’t get any, lol 😉

  64. Chrissie N. says:

    These cookies look wonderful. I’ve been thinking this is a great flavor combo for some holiday cookies and your post just sold it! Your blog is one of the few I consistently follow – great recipes, photos and stories. 🙂

  65. Chrissie N. says:

    Liked Peapod on FB.

  66. Chrissie N. says:

    Liked Wayfair on FB too!

  67. White chocolate and pistachios…they are a match made in heaven! These cookies are IRRESISTIBLE!

  68. Jan says:

    Enjoy your blog. The cookies look great

  69. jamielifesafeast says:

    I love these cookies! Love them. I really need to start baking cookies and I’ll be trying yours! And um I’ve been on the receiving end of your cookies though they were storebought and not homemade and that was April and I am down to the last 2 boxes. Yeah, really. And I loved them all and so did JP! Once in a while I bake quick breads and give them as gifts but only because cookies are way too fiddling. But now you’ve got me in the mood!

  70. jamielifesafeast says:

    Oh I know we are Google+ friends!!

  71. jamielifesafeast says:

    I’m pretty sure I follow you on twitter. Now why can’t I find you on Facebook? 🙂

  72. Rebecca says:

    Hi Lisa! Just wanted to say I love your blog and these cookies are awesome! Lmao @ cookie basket lady!

  73. Terra says:

    You were for sure the basket woman, LOL! Twenty different kinds…..you were seriously crazy busy baking I bet:-) I love the idea of giving homemade treats for Christmas presents. I plan to make a couple different bundt cakes, and share them with my two neighbors:-) Your cookies sound DELISH, Hugs, Terra

  74. Daniela says:

    Hi Lisa,great that you are back!
    These cookies look fantastic, just perfect for Christmas time.

  75. Rebecca says:

    Liked Wayfair on FB

  76. Rebecca says:

    Liked Peapod on FB

  77. Rebecca says:

    Already follow you on twitter. havent joined G+ yet.

  78. Diana Aggers says:

    Just added these to my cookie exchange recipes!

  79. Simone says:

    O lol Lisa! I can sort of see you buried under piles and piles of cookies.. 😉 Still it is kind of an excellent idea as I’ve been wanting to bake a lot of things this month but am scared of having to eat it all myself. I know my parents want me to take something with me every single time they see me (and don’t you dare come home empty handed..!) but hey I have to think about their health too! My neighbours love me for the cookies and cakes alone, but I’ve never thought of giving them to my hairdresser or other folks along the way… But maybe not as many as you baked though. Love the look of these beauties!

  80. Lora says:

    I love the cookie basket story. These cookies have everything in them I love and they’re gorgeous to boot. Want!

  81. frombeyondmykitchenwindow says:

    Found you through Pinterest. I can’t wait to make these cookies. Thanks for the give away opportunity.

  82. Stephanie says:

    I missed your writing! This is the year that I decided I was going to bake cookies for everyone. I agree with you…don’t think I’ll be doing this again anytime soon! >_<

  83. Angela says:

    Awesome cookies..very festive!

  84. Rose says:

    I’m so glad your back! I missed reading you! Hoping for part 18 soon! love the cookies and would love to win the peapod card!

  85. Michael says:

    I like how you added lots of nuts, fruit and chocolate to these! Going to try them for my Christmas cookie tray!

  86. Kyl Neusch says:

    tasty cookies

  87. Kyl Neusch says:

    Like Wayfair on Facebook

  88. Dorothy Hubbard says:

    Yummy sounding cookies.

  89. Dorothy Hubbard says:

    I liked Peapod on FB Dorothy Hubbard

  90. Dorothy Hubbard says:

    I liked wayfair on FB

  91. Dorothy Hubbard says:

    I am following you on google + Dorothy Hubbard

  92. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says:

    these look so yummy for the tummy
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

  93. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says:

    Follow on Google +
    Valerie Taylor Mabrey
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

  94. These are beautiful and sound delicious!

  95. christine says:

    looks fantastic

  96. Ronda says:

    These look very good.

    [email protected]

  97. Ronda says:

    I liked Peapod on Facebook.

    [email protected]

  98. Ronda says:

    I liked Wayfair on Facebook.

    [email protected]

  99. Tara says:

    Yum! I would love to make these cookies.

  100. Tara says:

    Followed you on twitter (bag_of_bones)

  101. Erica C. says:

    These look super delicious!

  102. joy says:

    The cookie looks lovely.

  103. Elaine says:

    Would love to win this!!

  104. Yummmm I just love these cookies!
    The colors and flavor combination looks incredible,
    Seems really delicious, have to try it!
    Thank you dear, and happy holidays 🙂

  105. Sammie says:

    OMG! Cranberries and pistachio?! This will probably be my favourite cookies Lis!!!! Loving the green and red! Just perfect for the holiday season!

  106. Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂

  107. Pingback: 100 Amazing Holiday Cookie Recipes on FamilyFreshCooking.com — Family Fresh Cooking

  108. Sophie33 says:

    MMMMMM,..;Lisa! Your festive Christmas cookies look superb, delectable & mighty pretty too!

  109. I love me a good drop cookie, and these look better than good! So festive too!

  110. Sloane says:

    I saw your cookies on FoodGawker and had to make them! Sadly, mine are not nearly as pretty. They spread out a lot and are thin. Any suggestions on what I did wrong or how I might fix ’em? Thanks!

  111. Cheryl says:

    These look awesomr. Fyi, I bake so I

    caught it, but the eggs aren’t added into the prep instructions. Just incase a new baker is attempting.

  112. Dearest Lisa, I would like to place an order for a child sized basket of these cookies. Thank you. 🙂

  113. Christina says:

    googled white chocolate and pistachios … this recipe was among the options listed. Very happy to have selected this recipe! Delicious. I made a half batch … and now wish I would have made the entire batch. Will definitely make these again.
    Thank you for the recipe.

    • Lisa says:

      I’m so happy you loved them, Christine! I always loved the combo of chocolate and pistachio with a dried fruit. Try dried apricots, cut up. Everyone loved those too! 🙂

  114. Pingback: 50 Best Back to School Cookie Recipes on the Internet | Restless Chipotle

  115. Amphasis says:

    Thank you sharing the recipe, my kids will sure like it.

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