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Introduction
There is something very comforting about homemade biscuits that come fresh from the oven. The warm smell, the soft crunch, and the gentle sweetness can make any day feel better. This dried cranberry and pistachio biscuits recipe is all about simple baking with big flavor. It mixes the fruity taste of cranberries with the rich nutty flavor of pistachios to create a biscuit that feels both special and easy. Even if you are new to baking, you can follow this recipe without stress and get great results at home.
Many people love this type of biscuit because it gives more than just sweetness. The cranberries add a light tangy taste while the pistachios give a soft crunch in every bite. The color is also beautiful, with red and green pieces inside a golden biscuit. These biscuits look lovely on a tea table, in a snack box, or served to guests. They taste homemade and full of care. You do not need fancy tools or hard steps, which makes them perfect for beginners and busy home cooks.
You can make these biscuits for many reasons. They are great for evening tea, school snack boxes, festive gatherings, or simple weekend baking fun. If you want a snack that feels a little healthier than plain sugar cookies, this is a good choice. Nuts and dried fruit add extra nutrition and energy. They are also good when you want to bake something thoughtful for friends and family. The taste, texture, and aroma make people smile, and that is always a good reason to bake.
Ingredients You Will Need
Here is a clear list of all ingredients with exact amounts so you can prepare easily.
2 cups all purpose flour
3 by 4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2 by 3 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 by 2 teaspoon baking powder
1 by 4 teaspoon salt
1 by 2 cup dried cranberries chopped slightly
1 by 3 cup pistachios chopped
2 tablespoons milk if needed for dough softness
Optional for topping
1 tablespoon chopped pistachios
1 tablespoon chopped cranberries
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Take a large mixing bowl. Add the soft butter and powdered sugar. Use a spoon or hand whisk to mix them together. Keep mixing until the mixture looks creamy and smooth. This step is important because it helps make the biscuits light.
Step 2
Add the egg and vanilla essence into the butter sugar mixture. Mix again until everything blends well. Make sure there are no lumps and the mixture looks silky.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, add the all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients with a spoon so they are evenly combined.
Step 4
Now slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add a little at a time and mix gently. Do not rush. If the dough looks too dry, add one tablespoon of milk and mix again. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Step 5
Add the chopped dried cranberries and chopped pistachios into the dough. Mix with your hands or spoon so they spread evenly throughout the dough. Try not to over mix because that can make biscuits hard.
Step 6
Cover the dough and place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up and makes shaping easier. It also improves the biscuit texture after baking.
Step 7
After chilling, remove the dough from the fridge. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line a baking tray with baking paper or lightly grease it with butter.
Step 8
Take small portions of dough and roll them into balls using your hands. Place each ball on the tray and gently press it to flatten slightly. Leave some space between each biscuit because they will spread a little while baking.
Step 9
If you like, sprinkle some extra chopped pistachios and cranberries on top of each biscuit and press lightly so they stick.
Step 10
Place the tray in the preheated oven. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn light golden. The center will still look a bit soft but will firm up after cooling.
Step 11
Remove the tray from the oven and let the biscuits rest on the tray for 5 minutes. Then move them to a cooling rack. Let them cool fully before storing or eating. This helps them become perfectly crisp.
Why This Recipe Is Special
This dried cranberry and pistachio biscuits recipe is special because it combines taste, texture, and nutrition in one simple bake. The cranberries give a natural fruity sweetness with a slight tang. This balances the richness of the butter and sugar. Pistachios bring a gentle crunch and a deep nutty flavor that makes each bite interesting.
Another special point is the visual appeal. The red and green bits inside the biscuit make it look festive and attractive. You can serve these biscuits during holidays, celebrations, or family gatherings and they will stand out on the table.
From a health point of view, pistachios contain good fats, fiber, and plant protein. Dried cranberries contain antioxidants and helpful nutrients. While biscuits are still a treat, adding nuts and dried fruit gives them more value than plain sugar cookies. You also control the ingredients at home, which is always better than packaged snacks.
Extra Tips for Better Taste
Use room temperature butter. Cold butter does not mix well and melted butter makes the dough too loose. Soft butter gives the best texture.
Do not over mix the dough after adding flour. Gentle mixing keeps the biscuits tender and light.
Chop the cranberries and pistachios into small pieces. Large chunks can break the biscuit shape and make cutting harder if you slice them.
If you like more flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom powder to the dry ingredients. This gives a warm aroma.
For a richer taste, you can replace two tablespoons of flour with milk powder. It adds a bakery style flavor.
If you want a slightly crisp outside and soft inside texture, bake for a shorter time. If you like fully crisp biscuits, bake two minutes longer but watch carefully.
You can also drizzle a little melted white chocolate over cooled biscuits for a special dessert style finish.
Store the biscuits in an airtight container after they cool. They stay fresh for about one week at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
These dried cranberry and pistachio biscuits are a lovely mix of simple baking and special flavor. They are easy enough for beginners and tasty enough to impress guests. The steps are clear, the ingredients are easy to find, and the results are beautiful and delicious. Whether you bake them for your family, your children, or just for yourself with a warm cup of tea, they bring comfort and joy. Homemade biscuits always carry a feeling of care, and this recipe is a perfect place to start your baking journey.
Nutrition Details
Here is an approximate nutrition table. Values can change based on ingredient brands and exact portion size.
Recipe total about 18 biscuits
Per biscuit serving estimate
Calories about 120
Carbohydrates 14 grams
Protein 2 grams
Fat 6 grams
Fiber 1 gram
Sugar 7 grams
Main nutrition sources
Pistachios give healthy fats and protein
Cranberries give antioxidants and fiber
Egg gives protein
Butter gives fat and flavor