Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

Start by creaming together 1 cup of room-temperature unsalted butter and ½ cup of granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the mixture until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Add 2 large egg yolks and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and the mixture looks smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this can make the cookies tough.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball between your palms to smooth it out, then place it on the prepared baking sheet.

Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Be gentle—you don’t want to press all the way through the dough.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool, so it’s better to underbake slightly than overbake.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Make the Filling

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the filling. In a food processor, grind ½ cup of shelled pistachios into a fine powder. Be careful not to over-process, or they’ll turn into pistachio butter.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt ½ cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until smooth. Let the chocolate cool slightly.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pistachios, melted chocolate, and ¼ cup of heavy cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Fill the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, use a piping bag or a small spoon to fill the centers with the chocolate pistachio filling. Be generous—these cookies are all about that creamy center!

Sprinkle the filled cookies with ¼ cup of chopped pistachios for a beautiful finishing touch.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the filled cookies sit for about 10 minutes to allow the filling to set slightly. Serve them at room temperature with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or your favorite tea.