Soft vanilla cookies with crunchy pistachios and sweet honey crystals, inspired by Dubai.

Dubai Gold Pistachio Cookies are the kind of easy, elegant treat that feels totally on trend. Made with a vanilla cake mix, honey crystals, and chopped pistachios, they have a soft texture and a subtle, golden flavor that’s perfect for customizing. For a little extra fun, add dark chocolate chips on top for a rich upgrade. Either add the chips themselves or chocolate drizzle. These Dubai Gold Pistachio Cookies prove that simple can still shine.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

• They’re made with a vanilla cake mix, so they’re fast and foolproof.
• The flavor is inspired by Dubai—subtle, elegant, and sweet with pistachio and honey.
• You can easily make them richer with dark chocolate chips on top.
• The texture is soft and chewy with a golden edge.
• Dubai Gold Pistachio Cookies feel fancy but are super simple to make.
• Perfect for gifting, cookie boxes, or when you want something unique without extra work.

Ingredient Notes

• Vanilla Cake Mix – This is your shortcut base. Any standard 15.25 oz box will work, but a French vanilla or butter vanilla variety adds a richer flavor.
• Chopped Pistachios – For best texture, use roasted and lightly salted pistachios. Chop them roughly so you get some crunch in every bite.
• Honey Crystals or Honey Powder – These add a hint of sweetness with a floral note that pairs beautifully with pistachios. You can find them online or in specialty baking aisles.
• Dark Chocolate Chips (Optional) – If you want to boost flavor and make the cookies feel more indulgent, a few dark chocolate chips on top add richness and balance the sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract – A little extra vanilla deepens the cake mix flavor and ties everything together.

Before You Bake

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is needed! This dough holds its shape well right after mixing, making it a quick and easy option.

Can I use honey instead of honey crystals?
For best texture, stick with honey crystals or honey powder. Liquid honey will change the consistency and may cause the cookies to spread too much.

Do the cookies taste strongly of pistachio or honey? No, the flavor is subtle and delicate. For a stronger flavor, you can add a handful of dark chocolate chips or a pinch of ground cardamom.

Dubai Gold Pistachio Cookies

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped pistachios
• 2 tbsp honey crystals or honey powder- I used this https://amzn.to/3ZVQWRB
• Optional: dark chocolate chips for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until a soft, thick dough forms.
3. Gently fold in the chopped pistachios and honey crystals.
4. Scoop dough into 1½-tablespoon balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
5. If desired, press a few dark chocolate chips into the tops for contrast. Alternatively, melt the chocolate and drizzle it on afterward.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are pale gold.
7. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

FAQ

Can I freeze Dubai Gold Pistachio Cookies?
Yes! Once baked and cooled, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.

What brand of cake mix works best?
Any 15.25 oz box of vanilla or French vanilla cake mix works great. Pillsbury, Duncan Hines, and Betty Crocker all bake up well.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. This recipe doubles easily—just use two baking sheets and rotate them halfway through baking.

How do I store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days for best texture.

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just use a gluten-free vanilla cake mix and make sure your other ingredients (especially the honey crystals) are certified gluten-free.

Sprinkle of Fun

Bake a batch of Dubai Gold Pistachio Cookies and plan a mini road trip—solo, with your best friend, or someone special. Pack the cookies in a gold-topped tin, cue up your favorite playlist, and hit the road with the windows down. Film the whole thing like a casual vlog: quick clips of mixing dough, scenic stops, cookie breaks in the car, and your official cookie rating. It’s part baking day and part spontaneous adventure.