Chai Spiced Pistachio Snowdrop Cookies will add an exotic twist to your holiday parties!
What a strange, surreal, and freakish winter it has been so far. In less than one week Jeff and I are headed to Tucson, AZ for Christmas with his family and I cannot wait to get out of town.
I feel distracted and unsettled. I’m tired. I’m also craving normalcy and my old routine and I know I might not get back there until the beginning of next year.
It’s ok, though. Things are definitely moving in the right direction. And I’m looking forward to visiting with family and eating some quality Mexican food (something DC sadly lacks).
Regardless of my mood or energy level, the holidays are here and the show must go on. I’ve made these chai spiced pistachio snowdrop cookies several times now and they’re pretty incredible.
The fragrant combination of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and allspice is downright addicting.
The chai spices bring an exotic twist to these classic snowdrop cookies (also known as Russian Tea Cookies and Mexican Wedding Cookies). The pistachio flour adds an additional tasty twist and slight green hue.
I bought my pistachio flour online but you can also use use roasted, unsalted pistachios that have been ground in a food processor.
If you prefer, almond flour (which is available at most grocery stores) can be substituted instead.
I’m looking forward to Christmas. Before we know it, winter will have passed and spring will arrive with sunlight, beautiful flowers and warmer temperatures.
Until then I’m going to work hard, keep out of trouble and enjoy the cookies.
Chai Spiced Pistachio Snowdrop Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 1/2 ounces confectioners' sugar (approximately 1/2 cup)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/4 ounces pistachio flour, see notes (approximately 1 1/4 cup)
Topping
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, confectioners sugar and vanilla for several minutes until light and fluffy.
- Sift the all purpose flour and salt together.
- Turn the mixer speed down to low and slowly add the pistachio flour followed by the all purpose flour. Scrape down the sides once or twice to make sure the dough is evenly mixed.
- Use a tablespoon-sized scoop to measure out cookies. Use your hands to roll each cookie into a ball.
- Chill the cookies for 15 minutes and then bake for 20 minutes. While the cookies are baking, sift together the topping ingredients in a bowl.
- Remove the cookies from the oven. While they're still warm, carefully coat each cookie in the sugar mixture and set aside to cool. Once the cookies have cooled (about 15-20 minutes), toss them again in the sugar mixture.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate says
As much as I love your dark, edgy photography style, I am really digging the all white pictures. It compliments the cookies so nicely and just feels festive!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
Love your presentation. And the spices involved make me happy. My kind of cookie.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
These sound amazing. Mexican wedding cookies are some of my favorite cookies so I know I’d love this variation on them!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Love the chai and pistachio flavors!
Tieghan says
I am currently on a HUGE pistachio kick, so these sound amazing!
Gail @ 2Create in Color says
This type of cookie used to be my very favorite, but I don’t think I’ve ever made them myself! Time to change that!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
These are one of my favorite cookies, so melty in the mouthy :) Have a great time in AZ, and eats tons of fat burrito’s! Thanks for the link ;)
Julia @Vikalinka says
Such loveliness. White on white photos are so hard to do (I attempted to do it in my last post and it took me ages to get a clear-ish shot) but yours is a beauty! Adding a spice twist on the tradition is always a great thing.
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
My partner said that I can shave my head again if I loose 2 kg, it’s kind of a trick, as I don’t know how to diet and it means I need to run almost each day. And you’re killing me here! I read the recipe and I know that this cookies will be delicious. So tempting to make them…
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Jen,
These cookies are beautiful!!! LOVE! and I feel the same way. . getting sick and Christmas is next week!! Well, at least you’ll be in sunny AZ. . enjoy it and yummm. . love mexican food!!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
These sound soooooo good! I heart chai spice AND pistachios, I know these would be amazing!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Beautiful photos! I love that these cookies are chai spiced!
Dina says
they look yummy!
Valerie says
Yes, please speak more of spring and warm times to come!
These cookies look delicious! Love the idea of using pistachio flour.
Liz@Virtually Homemade says
I loooove chai spices in baked good. Chai goes really well with chocolate too.