Watergate Cookies

These Watergate Cookies are sure to be a new family favorite! They are filled with pecans, pistachio pudding, and coconut to give you a dessert made in heaven. Not only do they taste great, but they are also beautiful too!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Watergate Cookies

If you have ever tried a Watergate Salad before, then you already know how amazing the combination of pistachios, pecans, and coconuts are together. These are some fantastic cookies that are just begging for you to make them.

You guys! You can start the recipe with a boxed cake mix and a few other ingredients to end up with these yummy treats everyone loves. My mouth is watering, thinking about eating a Watergate Cookie right now!

One thing that I really love besides the flavor and texture is that the cookies are a green hue. This makes them perfect for St. Patricks Day, or anytime you want something bright and fun. We also enjoy taking these cookies when we have Thanksgiving dinner or office parties. They always go over well, and I usually get lots of requests for the recipe.

Can You Freeze Cookie Dough Raw For Baking Later 

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough and bake them later. It doesn’t matter if you want to keep cookies on hands for emergency events like a new neighbor moving into the area or a friend having a baby. Or maybe you have a last-minute dinner party, and you need an easy and delicious dessert, these Watergate cookies are just what you need.

To make the cookies for the freezer, you need to prepare the batter and roll the cookie in the balls. Place the cookies and the refrigerator for an hour so they can set up. Place the Cookie Balls in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and put them in the freezer for up to three months. Be sure to label the bag or container, so you know what’s in them. Also, be sure to add on the label how long you’re supposed to cook them and the temperature. When you take the cookies out of the freezer, place them on a baking sheet, and you need to bake them for 1 to 2 minutes longer than what the recipe calls for. This will account for them being frozen, and there’s no need to solve the dough. 

Tips For Making Watergate Cookies 

• When mixing the dough for the cookies, be sure not to overmix the batter. This can lead to dry, dense cookies if the battery is overmixed. 
• Save back a few of the pecans to sprinkle on top of the cookies once they’re have finished baking. 
• Use parchment paper or a silicone cookie mat to prevent the cookies from sticking to your baking sheet.
• Don’t overbake the cookies, or they will also become hard and dried out. 
• Letting the cookies sit on a cooling rack until they are cool is the best way to let them finish setting up.

Can I Use White Cake Mix Instead Of Yellow 

Yes, absolutely!

You can easily swap out the yellow cake mix for a white cake mix if you want to. As a matter of fact, you could use any variety of cake mix you want. Depending on what cake makes you use is going to greatly affect the flavor of the cookies. One cake mix that I think would be absolutely delicious would be a spice cake mix. The spicy flavors would go so good with the pistachio, coconut, and pecans. If you try a variety of cake batter, please let us know what you think. I would love to try some different varieties and hear from you on what was successful. 

Does This Recipe Double Well

Yes, of course, you can double this Watergate cookies recipe. You will probably need to work in batches to make sure that you don’t put too many cookies in the oven at one time. You’ll just need to follow the directions and whip up the batch of cookies.

Can I Freeze Cooked Cookies For Later 

These Watergate cookies actually freeze very well. I recommend doing a flash freeze just so the cookies do not stick to each other. Place the cookies on a baking sheet and put the entire baking sheet in the freezer. I like to let the cookies sit in the freezer between 1 and 3 hours. Once the cookies are fairly frozen solid, then remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer bag or freezer container. The cookies will last in the freezer for up to three months. They’re easy to have on hand and take out whenever you need a quick snack. You can just defrost them on the counter and enjoy!

Ingredients

You literally only need six ingredients to make a batch of these homemade Watergate cookies. Who knew making homemade cookies could be so simple! Let’s get started so you can make these tasty treats at home. 

• Box yellow cake mix
• Pistachio pudding
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Chopped pecans
• Large eggs
• Canola oil

How to Make Watergate Cookies

Just like the ingredients, there are only a few simple instructions that you need to follow. Let’s look at the steps to make these delicious cookies. 

First Step: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then you will need to line a cookie sheet with parchment paper

Second Step: Beat together all ingredients until combined in a mixing bowl. You may want to leave some nuts leftover so you can top the cookies for decorations.

Third Step: Scoop some cookie dough onto the parchment paper and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned. I recommend using a cookie scoop for even baking.

Fourth Step: Then place watergate cookies on the cooling rack to cool down.

Enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Watergate cookies

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes minutes

Watergate cookies are a fun and easy pistachio Watergate cookie. A fun take on the classic Watergate salad. Give this cake mix cookie recipe a try.

5 from 1 vote

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 - 4 serving size pistachio pudding
• ½ C unsweetened shredded coconut
• ½ C chopped pecans
• 2 large eggs
• ½ C canola oil

Follow Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email(Required)

Email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

NOTE: By saving this recipe, you agree to join our weekly recipes newsletter.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
• Using a mixing bowl, beat together all ingredients until combined. You can leave some nuts leftover so you can top the cookies for decorations.
• Scoop some cookie dough onto the parchment paper and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned. I recommend using a cookie scoop for even baking.
• Then place watergate cookies on cooling rack to cool down.

Author: Laura

I have some chewy, delicious, and easy cookie recipes for you. Take a look at these to get inspired to make your neck next batch of cookies.

Almond Joy Cookies – Everything you love about Almond Joy candy bars except in an easy and pourable cookie form.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies – These unique and flavorful cookies are going to rock your world! They’re soft, chewy, and absolutely amazing.

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies -One of my favorite things ever is espresso and chocolate together. These cookies are the perfect combination of both flavors.

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies -The flavor of the brown maple sugar in these cookies is so amazing you will not forget it. Take them to potlucks or your next dinner party.