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    Home » Food

    Homemade Pistachio Shortbread

    Published: Mar 2, 2024 · Modified: May 14, 2024 by Jennifer · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

    13573 shares

    With St Patrick's Day quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun to share some green recipe ideas, like this Homemade Pistachio Shortbread Recipe!

    This tasty homemade shortbread recipe is really easy to make and it looks SO CUTE!

    Pistachio Shortbread

    Why we love this Homemade Pistachio Shortbread Recipe

    Our super duper easy Pistachio Shortbread is perfect for an afternoon treat for the kids, bringing to your office to share a little festive spirit, or for your St Patrick's Day parties!

    This Pistachio Shortbread is also a really fun idea for homemade Christmas gifts, or to make for your holiday parties!

    This Pistachio Shortbread recipe was inspired by my White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies that we shared a while ago on our site.

    Pistachio Shortbread

    You can make this Pistachio Shortbread for any occasion!

    Now, while I made these for Saint Patrick's Day, please note that the green color is from green food coloring. Do you know what that means?

    It means that you can omit the food coloring and make regular pistachio shortbread any time of year - OR you can use different colored food coloring and make this easy shortbread recipe for any holiday!

    I love St Patrick's Day...probably because my favorite color is green - thus my excitement over sharing these green recipes with you guys every time St Patrick's Day rolls around on the calendar!

    Pistachio Shortbread

    Are you looking for other Easy Cookie Recipes like this Pistachio Shortbread Recipe?

    If you are enjoying this Pistachio Shortbread Recipe for St Patrick's Day, take a look around for even more fun stuff!

    We have lots of delicious holiday treat recipes on the site, like our Saint Patrick’s Day Mint Oreo Brownie Tart Recipe!

    • 12 Lucky Desserts to Make for Saint Patrick's Day
      12 Lucky Desserts to Make for Saint Patrick's Day
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      Frozen Espresso Martini with Baileys
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    • Chocolate Mint Cookies Recipe for Saint Patrick's Day
      Chocolate Mint Cookies Recipe for Saint Patrick's Day
    See more Saint Patrick’s Day →
    Pistachio Shortbread

    How to Make this Homemade Pistachio Shortbread Recipe for Saint Patrick's Day

    I love pistachios - they are actually my favorite nut - so considering that they are green, they were the perfect addition to this Saint Patrick's Day recipe!

    Ingredients needed to make Pistachio Shortbread

    • 1 cup butter, softened
    • 1 3.4 oz pistachio instant pudding (the small box)
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • ½ cup pistachios - shelled and coarsely chopped
    • Wilton Leaf green gel food coloring

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    Directions for how to make Pistachio Shortbread

    Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 pan and set it aside.

    In a mixer, beat together the butter, pudding, and sugar.

    Add flour and continue to beat until it begins to create a dough.

    Press dough into pan and even and flatten with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Press the chopped pistachio pieces into the top of the dough.

    Use a knife to gently score the dough. Cut into 9 squares and then cut each square into a triangle. Do not cut all the way thorough the dough, simply score it before baking it.

    Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and cut shortbread in the pan. Leave in the pan until almost cool and remove.

    Pistachio Shortbread

    This Pistachio Shortbread Recipe makes 18 triangles.

    Share this Pistachio Shortbread with your friends and family on social media!

    If you love this Pistachio Shortbread recipe as much as we do, please leave me a 5-star review below and help me share this recipe on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

    If you do make the recipe, I hope you’ll share that you tried it on Pinterest! I love it SO MUCH when readers share their feedback!

    Pistachio Shortbread

    Are you looking for more easy cookie recipes?

    Check out these delicious cookie recipes that I have shared over the years, like our No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites Recipe. I think you will love them all!

    • Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe
      Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe
    • Whole Wheat Chocolate Chips Cookies
      Whole Wheat Chocolate Chips Cookies
    • Lemon Blueberry Cookies
      Lemon Blueberry Cookies
    • Jelly Bean Cookies
      Jelly Bean Cookies
    See more Cookie Recipes →

    To print this Homemade Pistachio Shortbread Recipe, simply click the recipe card below!

    I know that many people still like to print out recipes and keep them in a recipe binder, or simply have the printed recipe sitting in front of them when it comes time to cook! You can also email this recipe!

    Pistachio Shortbread

    Pistachio Shortbread

    Jennifer
    Our Pistachio Shortbread is an easy cookie recipe perfect for Saint Patrick's Day desserts or for easy shortbread cookies any time of year!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Holiday Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18 servings
    Calories 172 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup butter softened
    • 3.4 oz pistachio instant pudding the small box of instant pudding
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • ½ pistachios shelled and chopped
    • Wilton Leaf Green Gel Food Coloring

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 pan and set aside.
    • In a mixer, beat together butter, pudding, and sugar. Add flour and continue to beat until it begins to create a dough.
    • Press dough into pan and even and flatten with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
    • Press the chopped pistachio pieces into the top of the dough.
    • Use a knife to gently score the dough. Cut into 9 squares and then cut each square into a triangle. Do not cut all the way thorough the dough, simply score it before baking it.
    • Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and cut shortbread in the pan. Leave in the pan until almost cool and remove.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 0.002mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword pistachio, shortbread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    13573 shares

    About Jennifer

    Jennifer, AKA "The Rebel Chick," is a 40-something Gen Xer who strives to help her readers live their best lives possible with easy recipes, travel inspiration and lifestyle tips!

    Comments

    1. Sandra says

      March 03, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      One of the most unique recipes I've seen in a while, thank you.

    2. Lee MacArthur says

      March 07, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      This sounds like a cool recipe to make with pistachios in it. I wonder how it would be if you added ground pistachios instead of using the pudding. Something to play with. Thank you for sharing.

    3. Candace says

      March 07, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      ½ pistachios, shelled and chopped
      1/2 cup or 1/2 lb?
      When do you add the nuts?

    4. Crystal says

      March 07, 2016 at 11:26 pm

      I'm interested to try these. They look very delicious!

    5. Christine says

      March 08, 2016 at 10:47 am

      These look amazing! I love pistachios. Thanks for sharing on Meetup Monday!

    6. Wendy says

      March 08, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      Green Irish shortbread for St. Patrick's Day! Excellent! My only tip about shortbread is to use the very best butter you can afford. It makes a big flavor difference to use European butter (higher fat content). I use Kerrygold for shortbread.

    7. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

      March 08, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      Oh this looks so yummy! I like the addition of the pistachios. I would love for you to share this gem of a post on Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

    8. michelle says

      March 08, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Love all that is green around St Patricks Day! and pistachio is one of my fav flavs! Pinned!

    9. Sophie says

      March 09, 2016 at 9:19 am

      These are awesome! I'll definitely try them. I love anything pistachio. I agree with Sandra, very unique recipe! Thanks!

    10. Olivia says

      March 09, 2016 at 1:46 pm

      This is such a festive recipe. Pistachios are a favorite nut of mine as well.

      Thank you for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. If you would like to follow Thursday Favorite Things on Pinterest, we have created a group board- http://bit.ly/1nwPwaN

      Olivia, co-hostess

      Reinvented Collection

    11. Jerri says

      March 10, 2016 at 5:28 am

      This looks wonderful! Looks perfect for St. Patrick's Day! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week.

    12. Theresa @DearCreatives says

      March 10, 2016 at 10:53 pm

      Looks yummy.Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared.

    13. Miz Helen says

      March 12, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      Congratulations!
      Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy your new Red Plate!
      Miz Helen

    14. Navy Wifey Peters @ USS Crafty says

      March 12, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      This looks delicious, and I love pistachios! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe at the Submarine Sunday Link Party!!

    15. Heather @MySweetMission.net says

      March 12, 2016 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      I love shortbread Jenn and yours would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day - awesome pictures too! Thank you for linking up at the Creative Muster Party! We hope you'll stop by next Tuesday night at 6 pm EST to party with us again. Your Homemade Pistachio Shortbread is one of my #FavoritePosts this week, so it's been shared on Facebook with my followers. 🙂 ~Heather

    16. Erin - Suburban Simplicity.com says

      March 13, 2016 at 10:47 pm

      My husband loves shortbread. With a pistachio spin, YUM! You should come link this up at Welcome Home Wednesdays. 7 blogs, 1 awesome party. 7aCST Wed. http://www.suburbansimplicity.com

    17. Katie says

      March 14, 2016 at 10:12 am

      These look delicious! I love anything pistachio flavor to, and a nice crumbly shortbread is just the ticket. Thanks for sharing this I've pinned it to try for later, found you at the wonderful Wednesday blog hop!

    18. SweetJ says

      March 15, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      I love a yummy, simple recipe! You really got the perfect shade of green here. They look perfectly edible!
      This recipe has been featured here > http://sweetmeetsbakeshop.com/2016/03/15/sour-apple-jellybean-martini-irish-cuisine/
      Happy Saint Patrick's Day and keep on desserting!

    19. Jennifer Dawn says

      March 16, 2016 at 12:15 pm

      This looks delicious! Just wanted to let you know that it's being featured at this week's link party. http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2016/03/st-patricks-day-recipes-treats-and.html

    20. Teresa says

      October 09, 2017 at 9:19 pm

      Had something similar at an Italian bakery and absolutely needed to find a pistacchio shortbread recipe online - so glad I found this one! They were perfect!

      Tip: For ultra decadence, I made them into rectangles and dipped a quarter of the rectangle in white chocolate and then in pistachio nuts - idea is not mine but from the bakery I had them at. Divine.

    21. Tamie says

      March 08, 2019 at 11:46 pm

      These cookies look so easy to make and so delicious

    22. Nell says

      February 03, 2021 at 6:03 am

      Doubled this & made them in 13 by 9 pan. Delicious!
      Didn’t add food coloring, so they are pale, but yummy! Thanks for recipe

    23. Kristi says

      May 13, 2024 at 4:33 pm

      So when do you add the chopped pistachios? Do I sprinkle on top only or mix it in the dough?

    24. Jennifer says

      May 14, 2024 at 9:43 am

      Oh my goodness! I did completely forget that part, didn't I?! I just added it to the post, but you press them down into the dough before baking it.

    25. Mara Roney says

      March 14, 2025 at 1:06 pm

      5 stars
      I made it and these are incredible. The only thing I changed was the open temperature to 325 F since this was too low in my oven for the baking time indicated. I would make these every week. Crumbly on the edge and buttery softness in the center. Really so easy and quite delightful. Going to experiment with lemon pudding mix and see if its also as incredible. Make them.

    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I'm a Miami native and I love sharing easy dinner recipes, baking recipes, travel ideas and general Miami Lifestyle fun! Follow along for inspiration on how to make the most of your life!

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