Savoury Cheese Cranberry Pistachio Biscuits – Not Your Typical Christmas Cookie

These savoury cheese Christmas biscuits are a delightful departure from the usual parade of sugary holiday treats. Packed with buttery cheddar, bright cranberries, crunchy pistachios, herbs, and a hint of spice, these Savoury Cheese Cranberry Pistachio Biscuits are festive, flavourful, and a refreshing twist on classic Christmas baking.

Hey folks – I hope you’re doing well!

The holiday baking season is officially in full swing, and while I absolutely love a good Christmas cookie, I know that at some point you might find yourself craving something less sweet. If you ever get tired of your Christmas cookies, these savoury bakes might be the answer. They’re buttery, cheesy, beautifully speckled with cranberries and pistachios, and irresistibly fragrant thanks to fresh rosemary and warm spices.

A Little Note on Biscuit Terminology

Before we jump in, a quick clarification. These savoury cheese Christmas biscuits might cause a tad of linguistic confusion. They’re not American-style fluffy, tall biscuits; instead, they lean more toward a crumbly, tender, cookie-like biscuit in the European sense – crispy at the edges, rich and buttery, and perfect as a savoury snack. Whatever you call them, they make a fun and festive addition to your holiday table.

Why You’ll Love These Savoury Cheese Cranberry Pistachio Biscuits

• A festive savoury alternative. Perfect if you need a break from the holiday sugar rush.
• Wonderful texture. Buttery, lightly crisp, and studded with crunchy pistachios.
• Balanced flavour. Cheddar adds richness, cranberries bring tangy sweetness, and rosemary and spices make everything perfectly seasonal.
• Versatile. Serve as an appetizer, with cocktails, or alongside soups and cheese boards.
• Make-ahead friendly. The dough can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Savoury Cheese Christmas Biscuits

To make these savoury cheese Christmas biscuits, you will need the following ingredients, each contributing texture and festive flavour:

• Flour – the structural base of the dough.
• Butter – adds richness and keeps the biscuits tender and crumbly.
• Cheddar – sharp cheddar works beautifully, adding savoury depth.
• Egg – helps bind the dough and enhances colour.
• Salted pistachios – provide crunch and a festive green contrast.
• Dried cranberries – add tangy sweetness and a pop of colour.
• Fresh rosemary – fragrant, earthy, and classically Christmas.
• Orange zest (optional) – brightens the savoury flavours subtly.
• Baking powder (optional) – for a slightly lighter biscuit; I generally don’t use it.
• Smoked paprika – adds warmth and mellow smokiness.
• Chipotle – for depth and a subtle heat (adjust to taste).
• A little icing sugar – just enough to balance the cheddar and spices.
• Salt – add sparingly, keeping in mind the saltiness of pistachios and cheddar.
• Egg wash – for a shiny finish.

How to Enjoy these Savoury Cheese Christmas Biscuits

These Savoury Cheese Cranberry Pistachio Biscuits are incredibly versatile. Try them:

• With cocktails or mulled drinks as a savoury bite to balance sweet beverages.
• On a cheese or charcuterie board, adding colour, crunch, and flavour contrast. Try pairing with this Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Ball – A Festive Holiday Appetizer or Festive Mini Cheese Balls Appetizer with Cranberries and Pistachios.
• With soups, especially creamy vegetable or squash-based soups.
• As a snack, warm from the oven with a little butter or herbed cream cheese.
• As part of a holiday appetizer spread, paired with goat cheese, chutney, or spiced nuts.

More Festive Savoury Baking Ideas

Looking for more festive bites to complement these savoury cheese Christmas biscuits? You might enjoy:

• Cranberry Walnut Cheese Biscuits
• Festive Cheese and Chestnut Biscuits – Holiday Savoury Treat
• Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites – A Festive Holiday Appetizer

I’d love for you to try these Savoury Cheese Cranberry Pistachio Biscuits – Not Your Typical Christmas Cookie. If you give this festive cheese appetizer recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!

Savoury Cheese Cranberry Pistachio Biscuits – Not Your Typical Christmas Cookie

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Savoury cheese Christmas biscuits with cheddar, pistachios, cranberries, and rosemary – A festive, buttery, not-too-sweet holiday bake.

Course: Christmas, Savoury Bakes, Festive Cheese and AppetizersDifficulty: Easy

5.0 from 2 votes

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Servings

28

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (125 g) unsalted butter

• 2 1/2 cups (about 250 g) shredded medium-hard or semi-hard cheese of your choice (i.e., Cheddar, Gouda, Monterey Jack, etc.)

• 1 egg

• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

• 1-2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced

• 1 tbsp. orange zest, minced (optional)

• 1/2 tbsp. smoked paprika

• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder

• 1/2 – 1 tsp. icing sugar

• a pinch of salt, depending on the saltiness of cheese and pistachios

• about 3/4 cup (100 gr.) dried cranberries, roughly chopped

• 1/2 to 2/3 (75-100 g) salted pistachios, roughly chopped

• 1 small egg (for egg wash)

Directions

• Place the butter cut into small pieces in a bowl and microwave it for 10-15 seconds, 1 or 2 increments. It should be very soft (but not too melted.)
• Place the grated cheese, softened butter, and egg in a large bowl. Beat with a wooden spoon (spatula) until smooth, 30 second or so.
• Stir in the pistachios, cranberries, rosemary, orange zest (if using), smoked paprika, chipotle, and a pinch of salt.
• Stir in the flour. You will get a soft, slightly sticky to a touch, and pliable dough (some crumbs would be okay).
• Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment.
• To make the egg wash, in s small bowl whisk the egg and water, 15 seconds.
• Roll the dough out (about 0,7-1 cm) and cut using a cookie cutter or simply a knife. I used relatively small (about 4-5 cm) cookie cutters, which resulted in about 28 biscuits. Place the cookies onto the sheets and brush with the egg wash.
• Bake for about 10-14 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your biscuits – they should be golden brown. If desired, you can use the broiler for a minute or so to get more beautiful browning.
• Remove from the oven and let completely cool. Once cooked, they will harden up more but still remain soft and flakey. Keep them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to a week. After a couple of days they might become too soft and less flavourful, but it’s easy to fix. Just preheat the oven to ~400 degrees F, place them onto a baking sheet, and pop in the oven for 1-2 minutes them remove. Once cooled, they will be fresh and crisp again! Enjoy.