chocolate chunk cookies with pistachios

we had to whip something up for a co-worker's birthday last night, so when i came home from dance rehearsal we threw together a batch of chocolate chunk cookies with pistachios.

if you feel like you have deja vu, don't worry.  you're right, i did share a recipe for dark chocolate chip cookies with pistachios nearly three years ago.  good for you if you remembered that!  the recipes are similar, but a little different.

the first recipe was from joy the baker's blog.  this one is from her newest cookbook homemade decadence.  (on tuesday i shared a list of my favorite cookbooks that i use most often, and here it is two days later and i've already pulled one off the shelf.)

i've said it before, and i'll say it again: there's just something about chocolate chip cookies.  they are therapeutic and comforting.

cookies can solve problems.  like when your feet hurt from too many dance rehearsals in one week and your costumes for the spring recital arrived in the mail and they are too many sizes too big to actually fit you.  yeah, eat a cookie.  (side note: the spring dance show is just a week away and when i think of everything that needs to be done between now and then i get a little queasy . . . but hey, we have cookies.)

these cookies were baked until they were golden brown and gorgeous.  they are practically glowing.  they are packed with semi-sweet chocolate chunks (my favorite ones to use are the ones from trader joe's) and gorgeous green pistachios.  such an awesome combination.

ps: after we baked these cookies we turned on the tv and celebrity wife swap was on abc.  we had no intention of watching it but neither of us could seem to bring ourselves to change the channel.  it was the episode with jackie siegel (a.k.a. the "queen of versailles") and we both sat there watching, mesmerized by the sheer stupidity of the show and the actors.  shows like that really make you feel good about yourself and your own marriage, let me tell you.

chocolate chunk cookies with pistachios
prep time: 10 minutes
baking time: 12-15 minutes
yields: 24 cookies
adapted from homemade decadence

ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1/2 cup shelled unsalted pistachios, chopped

directions:
preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).  add the egg and beat well (about 1 minute).  mix in the vanilla.  in a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  add the dry ingredients all at once to the wet and mix just until combined.  fold in the chocolate chunks and chopped pistachios.  scoop the cookie dough by the tablespoon onto the cookie sheet.  bake for 12 minutes for soft cookies and 15 minutes for crisper cookies.  remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

enjoy!

love, laurie