So, there’s a proposal to make milk “Tennessee’s official state beverage.” It seems like a state’s beverage should be something unique to that state, like, say, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, but I suspect the milk nomination is a nod to Purity Dairies. Feel free to enjoy either Tennessee beverage with a few Orange Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies.
I couldn’t resist when I saw the tower of these cookies in Lora Brody’s “Chocolate American Style.”
If you’re into homemade ice cream sandwiches, I’m thinking these babies would be dyn-o-mite! with a little coconut or chocolate ice cream. And I’m thinking I wish I’d thought of that before I ate the last two. Ah, well. Tomorrow is National Pistachio Day. The perfect day to bake another batch and pour another shot glass of Tennessee’s could-be state beverage.
Orange Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Lora Brody’s “Chocolate American Style”
Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies
- 2 1/4 cups (11.25 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 extra-large eggs
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- Grated zest of 2 large oranges or 1/4 teaspoon orange oil
- 1 1/2 cups (7.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shelled pistachios, salted or unsalted, left whole
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, with the rack in the center position. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone pan liners or parchment paper.
- Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl.
- In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar on high until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low, and add the eggs, one at a time, and mix well after each addition. Add the almond extract, orange zest and the flour mixture.
- Once the flour mixture is totally incorporated, mix in the chocolate chips and nuts.
- Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until they begin to brown around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. The centers should remain pale. (If you like flat, crisp, chewy cookies, slam the cookie sheets down on a work surface halfway through the baking time. If you like softer cookies, skip that step.) Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Bake the remaining cookies in the same way.
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Perfect picture. Makes me want to take the second bite.
These cookies look deliciously thick and chewy. I love chocolate and pistachios, and this cookie seems like a great showcase for both of those flavors. And I would have no problem enjoying these with a nice glass of milk!
They look good but I think I might need to taste them to be sure. Can you send some over?
Love the look of these (and, by the way, your blog name).
I am sure the pistachios are amazing with the chocolate and orange!! YUM!
These would be great with either state beverage. I love cookies that are versatile that way!
Sounds like a winning recipe. I’m printing it out now to make this weekend.
Those look amazing. I love pistachios… just hate shelling them.
Maybe you should propose a DIFFERENT hybid-type drink… the Jack & Coke can be… Jack & Milk. Ick.
Great, great idea. Nice combo!
I’m totally making these tonight.
i just made these cookies and OH, GOD. they are so good! i used dark chocolate chips because i’m a fool for orange and dark chocolate and they turned out perfect!
These cookies look great! I’m such a fan of pistachios, I can’t wait to try the recipe. Delicious!
I think pistachios in baked treats are totally underappreciated. I have yet to make cookies with them but they are a must in my biscotti. Yu-um!
What what! These look fab. I only recently discovered my love of milk chocolate chip cookies, and these might take that love to the next level.
Those cookies look so good!
I bought shelled pistachios right after I saw this. Can’t wait to bake it and feature it on my site. thanks!
They look very pretty and pistachios are my husband's favorite kind of nut…he will eat them by the bagfuls if we encouraged unbridled food lust and consumption around here. I will give these a try for him. I know he will probably forget to thank you, so I'll just say it now: Thanks for the recipe!
I just made a batch with my father's day dinner. They were delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe. My dad loved them!
I just made this cookies last night and turn out so very very very good. Thank you for having this recipe out of the net. I can't wait to make more for my family.