In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and dry pudding mix; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.
Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in nuts. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets; make a thumbprint in center of cookie. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
For filling, beat the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Spoon into center of cooled cookies.
For glaze, if desired, melt chocolate chips and shortening; drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set.
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Kate
Dec 25, 2020
I added an egg and flour by eye until it resembled chocolate chip cookie dough in texture. It turned out nicely. I also used sour cherry jam to fill them.
April
Dec 20, 2019
So disappointed with this recipe. After reading the great reviews I was excited to try them. Followed the recipe exactly and they were the worst cookies. I love pistachio which is why I will give this recipe another try maybe in the future but as of now they will NOT be on my Christmas Cookie Tray
terriscott
Dec 30, 2018
These were a hit - I mixed the pecans into the mixture. This is definitely a keeper recipe.
kcheekers
Dec 4, 2017
These cookies were amazing! I, too, rolled them in finely-chopped pistachios instead of pecans. I'll definitely be making these again. One thing to note though... The top of this recipe says it makes 26 cookies, which is pretty spot-on. However, the last step lists the yield as 7 dozen, which is obviously an error.
ljmh53
Jan 6, 2016
I've made these ever since the recipe was published in 1998 - .the grandkids request them often. I omit the "thumbprint" part - form the dough into 1" balls (I use the small Pampered Chef scoop) and flatten slightly. Nuts are good, but not necessary. Bake as directed then drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate. The unbaked cookies freeze well and I can pull out a few to bake in the toaster oven whenever the mood strikes. Don't over bake these cookies - the bottoms should be barely browned. Ten minutes is usually just right in my oven.
paul3303
Nov 7, 2014
I did not use the chocolate chips and used pistachios instead of pecans. First there is a crunch and then it just melts in your mouth. Delicious.
joniotto
Nov 26, 2013
These are one of my all-time favorite cookies. My husband can't have nuts so I roll these cookies in coconut instead. They are such a pretty touch of color on a Christmas cookie tray! I've also subbed out different pudding flavors for the pistachio to change up the color and flavor for different seasons. When I take these anywhere, I'm always asked for the recipe :)
Wheelerfamily
Jul 4, 2011
Loved this "shortbread-type" cookie with sweet icing. I might try rolling them in pistachio nuts next time for more pistachio flavor, or at Christmas shaping them into "logs" and striping them with icing tinted red. They were delicious.
Grandmama2
Dec 1, 2010
This is the only cookie that we MUST have for Christmas. A little labor intense, but worth every minute. Making them tomorrow to send to my daughter living in Germany since she can't make it home for the holidays this year. The little ones really like them, too.
Reviews
I added an egg and flour by eye until it resembled chocolate chip cookie dough in texture. It turned out nicely. I also used sour cherry jam to fill them.
So disappointed with this recipe. After reading the great reviews I was excited to try them. Followed the recipe exactly and they were the worst cookies. I love pistachio which is why I will give this recipe another try maybe in the future but as of now they will NOT be on my Christmas Cookie Tray
These were a hit - I mixed the pecans into the mixture. This is definitely a keeper recipe.
These cookies were amazing! I, too, rolled them in finely-chopped pistachios instead of pecans. I'll definitely be making these again. One thing to note though... The top of this recipe says it makes 26 cookies, which is pretty spot-on. However, the last step lists the yield as 7 dozen, which is obviously an error.
I've made these ever since the recipe was published in 1998 - .the grandkids request them often. I omit the "thumbprint" part - form the dough into 1" balls (I use the small Pampered Chef scoop) and flatten slightly. Nuts are good, but not necessary. Bake as directed then drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate. The unbaked cookies freeze well and I can pull out a few to bake in the toaster oven whenever the mood strikes. Don't over bake these cookies - the bottoms should be barely browned. Ten minutes is usually just right in my oven.
I did not use the chocolate chips and used pistachios instead of pecans. First there is a crunch and then it just melts in your mouth. Delicious.
These are one of my all-time favorite cookies. My husband can't have nuts so I roll these cookies in coconut instead. They are such a pretty touch of color on a Christmas cookie tray! I've also subbed out different pudding flavors for the pistachio to change up the color and flavor for different seasons. When I take these anywhere, I'm always asked for the recipe :)
Loved this "shortbread-type" cookie with sweet icing. I might try rolling them in pistachio nuts next time for more pistachio flavor, or at Christmas shaping them into "logs" and striping them with icing tinted red. They were delicious.
This is the only cookie that we MUST have for Christmas. A little labor intense, but worth every minute. Making them tomorrow to send to my daughter living in Germany since she can't make it home for the holidays this year. The little ones really like them, too.
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