Pistachio Ghoraybeh Thumbprint Cookies (Middle Eastern Shortbread)

by Heifa on March 20, 2018

5 from 1 vote

pistachio ghoraibeh with jam in the midle

Hi friends! Hope you are all well. I’m super excited to share this Middle Eastern American hybrid of a cookie called a pistachio ghoraybeh thumbprint cookies.

Rows of Pistachio Ghoraybeh Thumbprint Cookies with jam centers, drizzled with white icing and sprinkled with crushed pistachios, arranged neatly on parchment paper.

What Are Pistachio Ghoraybeh Thumbprint Cookies?

This is one of the prettiest cookies to make in no time at all. It couldn’t be simpler to do, too! It takes 5 ingredients and just a few steps to create absolute deliciousness! My mom loves to bake and she would often make ghoraybeh, which is a Middle Eastern shortbread.

Often, it is just topped with one pistachio for decoration. I decided to incorporate crushed toasted pistachios into the cookie itself to really bring out the flavor of pistachio which I have been recently loving! I took another step by modernizing this cookie into something we all know which are thumbprint cookies! I filled the indents with some yummy jam; which you can buy or easily make your own.

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This is a cookie I am sure you will make because it is so easy and you will definitely love it because Why not?? 🙂

5 from 1 vote

Pistachio Ghoraybeh Thumbprint Cookies

Rows of Pistachio Ghoraybeh Thumbprint Cookies with jam centers, drizzled with white icing and sprinkled with crushed pistachios, arranged neatly on parchment paper.
These pistachio ghoraybeh thumbprint cookies are buttery Middle Eastern shortbread cookies filled with raspberry jam and topped with pistachios and optional white chocolate.
Serves 20 cookies
Prep Time:1 hour
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup pistachios crushed and toasted

Filling

  • Raspberry jam or spread

Optional Garnish

  • Melted white chocolate
  • Extra crushed toasted pistachios

Instructions

Toast the Pistachios

  • Add the pistachios to a pan over medium heat.
  • Toast for a few minutes until lightly browned and fragrant.
  • Let cool, then crush.

Make the Dough

  • In a large bowl, combine the butter and powdered sugar. Mix using a rubber spatula until smooth.
  • Add the flour 1 cup at a time, mixing until a dough forms.
  • Stir in the toasted crushed pistachios.

Chill the Dough

  • Using lightly floured hands, mix the dough until it comes together and is easy to handle.
  • Form the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Shape the Cookies

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
  • Use your thumb to press a small indent in the center of each cookie.

Fill and Bake

  • Add about ¼ teaspoon raspberry jam into each indent.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale.

Finish the Cookies

  • Allow the cookies to cool completely.
  • Drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed pistachios if desired.

Notes

Ghoraybeh cookies are traditionally light and crumbly. Avoid overbaking to keep the delicate texture.
Did you try this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and a review!!

Other Middle Eastern Cookie Recipes You May Like

  • Palestinian Date ring cookies on a tatreez cloth

    Palestinian Date Ring Cookies

  • shortbread date stuffed cookies topped with powdered sugar

    Maamoul (Date Filled Cookies)

  • close up of ghraybeh with one cut in half showing the creamy inside

    Traditional Ghraybeh (Middle Eastern Shortbread Cookie)

  • anise biscotti stacked in a jenga tower

    Anise Biscotti (Kirshalleh)

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18 Comments

  1. Hands down the best Ghoraybeh cookie I have ever tasted. The recipe was so simple and easy to follow. The addition of the white chocolate drizzle was a genius idea, it added a perfect finishing touch. Definitely making these again. Absolutely delicious!!

  2. These were soo easy to make! The recipe and directions super easy to follow. Extremely delicious, and were a big hit with my guests!

  3. This is such an easy recipe to make, one of my favorite ! It was the first recipe I try from all of fufu’s recipes ,
    Mashallah she’s amazing love all her recipes! Been following her for so long on her instagram page!

  4. These are my fav cookies to make Espc during Ramadan! 4th year I make these and My husband loves them and can’t stop eating them! So light and addicting def recommend!!

  5. Pingback: Baking Up Some Berry Desserts - The Modern East
  6. Just made this recipe for some eid goodies and it was so easy and delicious! Love the variation with pistachios and jam thanks for sharing!

  7. I made these for a party and everyone was so impressed! They melt in your mouth and the toasted pistachios are the perfect touch for crunch and flavor! Highly recommend. Super easy to make too

  8. these cookies are heaven. I will be making them at least monthly now. I substituted flour for bobs redmill gluten free 1 for 1 baking flour and it came out perfectly. seriously delicious. I had homemade peach and apricot jam that someone made for me from fruit they grew on their own trees in their yard and that was amazing too.

  9. Wow what an amazing dessert. The presentation was just fancy looks store brought. The flavor was addicting and can’t stop eating it. Made them for eid and was definitely a hit.

  10. Loved loved loved this recipe !!! It was a crowd pleaser Alhamduliliah and it was so fun and easy making them. Love these quick easy recipes for Eid cookies because I make a bunch and give out. Very convenient

  11. These are so delicious, sweet but not too sweet and the perfect texture. I’m always craving them!

  12. 5 stars
    I’ve made these cookies numerous times on Eid and they are always a hit. I’m usually not a big fan of gharyaba but these are a 10/10. The jam thumbprint and the pistachios in the dough really elevate the cookie. Definitely a must try!

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