White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

A little instant coffee gives white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies a splash of pizazz.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated June 29, 2022
Elise Bauer
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Elise Bauer

White chocolate and macadamia nut cookies are such a classic, aren't they? We've been over here brainstorming about ideas for Christmas cookies and thought we might try our hand at this one.

The challenge was with macadamia nuts and white chocolate, both very rich ingredients, how to give this cookie a bit of sparkle.

Our solution?

A touch of instant coffee granules added to the dough.

A Hint of Coffee Flavor

The cookie already has macadamia nuts and vanilla, both tropical ingredients. A little coffee flavor added to the mix, coffee also being a tropical ingredient, gives this cookie a splash of pizazz.

While any instant coffee granule will do, I use and recommend the VIA packets sold at Starbucks. The granules are finely ground, and dissolve easily in the mixture. If you use decaf granules, you won't have to worry about getting a coffee buzz from a cookie.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies Bird's Eye View of White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies on white plate
Elise Bauer

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 12 servings

This recipe can be made either with a stand mixer, or by hand with a bowl, a wooden spoon, and strong arms. If you use salted butter, please omit the added salt in this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, or 8 Tbsp, or 112g) at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup (90 g)white sugar

  • 1/2 cup (85 g) dark brown sugar, packed

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee coffee granules or instant espresso powder

  • 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts (3 1/2 ounces, or 100 g)

  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Method

  1. Preheat the oven:

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Whisk the dry ingredients:

    Vigorously whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.

  3. Make the cookie dough:

    Beat the butter until fluffy. Add the brown and white sugars and beat until smooth. Beat in the egg. Add the vanilla extract and instant coffee and beat until creamy.

    Add the dry ingredients a third at time, mixing after each addition.

    When the batter is combined, fold in the nuts and chocolate chips with a wooden spoon.

  4. Drop cookies on the baking sheet:

    Drop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoon amounts on a greased baking sheet, place 2 inches apart from each other to allow enough room for the cookies to spread as they bake.

  5. Bake:

    Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are nicely browned and the center is just barely cooked.

  6. Cool:

    Take the cookies from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
256 Calories
15g Fat
29g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 256
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 80mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 74mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.