Description
Pistachio Dream Cookie Bars are soft and chewy dessert bars bursting with sweet pistachio flavor, creamy white chocolate chips, and a rich buttery cookie base. These bars are easy to prepare, feature a lovely green tint from pistachio pudding mix, and are perfect for holidays, bake sales, or any time you desire a deliciously unique treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped shelled pistachios (plus more for topping, if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth, ensuring even sweetness throughout.
- Add Eggs and Flavoring: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mix, blending thoroughly until fully combined to develop flavor and texture.
- Mix in Pudding Mix: Stir in the instant pistachio pudding mix gently to incorporate the pistachio flavor and to give the bars their characteristic green tint.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough is formed, avoiding overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in Additions: Fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped pistachios evenly throughout the dough to add texture and bursts of flavor.
- Spread Dough into Pan: Evenly spread the dough into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 bars. Optionally, garnish with additional chopped pistachios for extra crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- For enhanced green color and a more intense flavor, add a drop of green food coloring or a splash of almond extract to the batter.
- Store the bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
