Ghirardelli White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Recipe

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies are such an indulgent recipe to make. They turn out chewy, buttery, and delicious every time with those chunks of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips.

The homemade dessert turns out gourmet cookies that are the perfect treat for any party or gathering, and they might just be our favorite cookies.

The Best Cookies

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies on a counter

The classic cookies might just be my favorite cookie now because they really do taste like a gourmet white chocolate chip cookie, and I love them right out of the oven. Warm and perfect. 

My mom loved white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and would never pass one up. As a teen, I didn’t want to get anywhere near a nut, so I passed most of the time.

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies on a counter

Now, I love the sweet and salty taste combination and wouldn’t pass these up for anything. 

The cookies have buttery and chewy centers with crisp edges and tops that are out of this world.

I shared the cookies with some friends the other night, and they thought they tasted better than store-bought cookies. 

I like thick cookies and these turned out nice and thick and they cooked up perfectly. You can see in the picture that the top cracked a little to reveal the soft centers, which stayed soft for a couple of days. 

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies on a counter

What do I need to make the chewy white chocolate macadamia nut cookies?

Dry Ingredients

  • Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
  • Macadamia nuts
  • White granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Wet Ingredients

  • Softened butter (room temperature)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Eggs

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Ok, let’s get to the recipe. I have some tips down below that you can read about after checking out the steps to these cookies. 

How do I make white chocolate macadamia nut cookies?

  1. Add the butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs to a large mixing bowl and mix everything together with an electric mixer.
  2. Next, add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until the dough is well blended.
  3. Finally, add the white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts and mix into the dough. 
  4. Scoop onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown on the top and edges. 

Step-By-Step Instructions

Butter in a glass bowl

Start by adding the softened butter to the bowl.

Sugar and butter in a glass bowl

Next, add the sugar to the bowl. 

Brown sugar, sugar, and butter in a glass bowl

After you add the granulated sugar, you will add the brown sugar.

This will give the cookies a bit of a deeper flavor. The molasses in the brown sugar gives them some depth. 

Brown sugar, vanilla, sugar, and butter in a glass bowl

Then you’re going to add the vanilla extract. I love adding vanilla to cookies because it adds so much flavor in my opinion. 

Hand mixer mixing cookie dough

Mix everything together with the hand mixer on medium speed.

If you have a Kitchenaid stand mixer, you can use that, too. Either one will work well. 

Flour, baking soda, and salt in a glass bowl

The all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda come next. Add those to the bowl and mix everything together again. 

White chocolate chips in a glass bowl with cookie dough

Once you’ve mixed the dough, add the white chocolate chips. 

Ghirardelli makes premium white chocolate chips that are so rich and decadent and taste wonderful in this cookie.

Macadamia nuts with cookie dough in a glass bowl

And then add the crunchy macadamia nuts to the bowl. Give everything one more stir. It’s ok to use the hand mixer here.

The mixer won’t break up the nuts or chocolate, and if it does, it’s only a little bit. 

Cookies on a ceramic cookie sheet

Finally, scoop the cookies out onto a cookie baking sheet. I like to use my stoneware pan because it seems to bake more evenly.

I used large scoops for this recipe with my large scooper, and I spaced them out about two inches apart. Don’t be afraid to make a big cookie with these, as they will spread and stay thick.

Baking the white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies

Bake them for about 10-13 minutes. The bake time will depend on your oven, as well as the type of cookie sheet that you use.

My stoneware pan will bake the cookies a little longer after I take them out of the oven because it holds in the heat. If you have a metal pan, the cookies might bake faster. 

I let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes because if you try to take them off right away, they will fall apart.

Leaving them on the cookie sheet will allow them to set up. I then move them over to a cookie rack to cool. 

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies on a counter
  • Classic chocolate chip cookies over at Julia’s Simply Southern
  • M&M cookies – these cookies are the perfect cookie with lots of color and flavor. You can set these on a plate with the chocolate macadamia nut cookies for a colorful spread at a party!
  • Texas cowboy cookies – these are such flavorful cookies with pecans, raisins, coconut, chocolate chips, and more.
  • Brownie mix cookies – the recipe is a fun one and only calls for a few ingredients. They are a great addition to any party.
  • Easy white chocolate chip cookies – white chocolate tastes good anytime, especially nestled in these cookies.
  • Easy Snickerdoodle cookie recipe without cream of tartar is a classic, one of our favorites, and easy to make. They are always a special treat.
White chocolate macadamia nut cookies on a counter

Tips for making white chocolate macadamia nut cookies:

  • Use softened butter (but still a tad cool), as it will cream better with the other ingredients. If you didn’t set the butter out to soften, you can place it in the microwave for a few seconds at a very low setting until it becomes softer. But don’t walk away, as the butter melts very fast. 
  • Find the best white chocolate chips that you can. For this recipe, I used Ghirardelli. 
  • Don’t allow the cookies to bake too long. They should still be chewy in the center. 

What nut is closest to macadamia?

The Brazil nut is close to a macadamia nut if you need to substitute it in this recipe. 

What do macadamia nuts taste like?

Macadamia nuts have a bit of a buttery flavor to them. They are a rich nut. 

How do I store the cookies?

I keep the cookies in an airtight container, such as a Tupperware container or a sealed container. You can use Ziploc bags, as well. 

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to three months. Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once they are frozen, place them into a freezer-safe airtight bag.

When you’re ready to bake the cookies, place the frozen cookie dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-17 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.

Delicious White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Check out the recipe card below, grab those ingredients, and start baking! There is so much flavor in this super easy recipe.

After the cookies are baked, you can pour a glass of milk and enjoy your treat.

Then, share your comments below and share a picture of your cookies on the Pinterest Pin!  If you made any changes or added something different, be sure to share it with us so we can try it, too!

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies on a counter

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

4.53 from 44 votes
Julie Pollitt
White chocolate macadamia cookies are such an easy recipe to make, and they turn out chewy, buttery, and delicious every time. The recipe turns out gourmet cookies that are the perfect treat for any party or gathering. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Cookies
Cuisine American
Servings 32 cookies
Calories 266 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1-1/2 sticks 3/4 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/4 cups Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
  • 8 ounces macadamia nuts

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
  • Add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to a large bowl.
  • Next, add the vanilla and the eggs and mix everything together with a hand mixer.
  • The flour, baking soda, and salt are the next items to add to the bowl. Mix until well blended.
  • Finally, add the white chocolate chips and the macadamia nuts and mix together.
  • Scoop and drop dough onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes, or until edges and top are golden brown.
  • Let cool for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 104mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.53 from 44 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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22 Comments

  1. Mercy! These cookies do look scrumptious!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thank you, Julia!

  2. Aron Green says:

    Why does it take forever to scroll down to the actual recipe? Such a lot of wasted space. Can you please add a link that says “go directly to recipe.”

    Thank you.

    1. @Aron Green,
      I was thinking the same thing , but it’s 2023 and they did not get the memo or just ignored it.

      MY first batch is in the oven we will see how good they are.

      BTW: I always want to quick scan the recipe to figure out if I have the ingredients on hand to make the item.

  3. Hi!….love this recipe…..can’t wait to make a batch.
    Another way to soften butter …if you forget to put it out…is to grate it using the large hole
    side and then leave it for a few minutes…….you can also speed up room temperature eggs
    by putting them in a bowl of cool water…

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Wendy, I love that idea with the butter. That would work much faster. Thanks so much for the tips!

  4. Marilyn Lesniak says:

    Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Marilyn! Thank you so much!

  5. Miz Helen says:

    We will love your Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies, they sure look good! Hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Miz Helen! Thank you so much, and I hope you’re having a great week, too.

  6. Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on thursday morning to see your feature! All hosts choose their own features from the comments left on their blog so be sure to return to my blog to see your feature. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Marilyn! Thank you so much. I am super excited to hear it! Have a good afternoon!

  7. 5 stars
    These we’re devine! Soft and chewy, just the right amount of sweet and salty. I chilled my rough before baking and flattened only ateeny amount so they wouldn’t spread. I’ll never use another recipe for these!

  8. There was no oven temp for the macadamia nut cookies

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Bev,

      It’s down at the bottom in the recipe card. It’s 350-degrees. Hope you love them!

  9. Carol Taylor says:

    So I followed the recipe on the back of the bag of Ghirardelli white choc chips. The two recipes differ considerably. But more importantly my cookies were awesome out of the oven, but a day later are hard as rock. Any thoughts.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Carol, glad to hear they were awesome! But, bummed they are as hard as rock. How did you store them? If they were in an airtight container, I would stick a piece of bread in there to keep them moist.

    2. Terri Powell says:

      @Julie Pollitt, the recipe on the bag calls for one and one half cups white sugar, one cup packed brown sugar and 3 cups flour. Horrible cookies!

      1. Julie Pollitt says:

        Hi Terri, do you mean the recipe on the bag or the ones on my site? Just clarifying. Wanted to make sure you didn’t hate my cookies. 🙂

    3. Cynthia N says:

      @Terri Powell,

      I used the recipe from the bag, and the cookies turned out delicious! Unfortunately, I threw the bag away and started looking online for the recipe and ended up here. This recipe is the closest one I could find. Yes, the ingredient measurements are different which will result in a different texture and mouth-feel of the cookie.

  10. Christine says:

    Looks really good please send me the website thank you

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Christine,

      Are you looking for the recipe? If so, it’s at the bottom of the post. Scroll to the bottom and you will find it there. 🙂