Description
Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars are a soft, buttery dessert that blends the classic flavor of sugar cookies with creamy pistachio pudding for a unique and delightful treat. These easy-to-make bars offer a perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and nutty, green goodness, making them ideal for family dinners, parties, or festive occasions.
Ingredients
																
							Scale
													
									
			Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios (optional)
- White chocolate drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, instant pistachio pudding mix, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bars soft and tender.
- Add Optional Chopped Pistachios: Fold in chopped pistachios for added crunch or sprinkle them on top of the batter before baking for a nutty finish.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares. This resting time ensures a perfect texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for a smoother blend and tender crumb.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent tough bars.
- Check your oven temperature with a thermometer to avoid overbaking and drying out the bars.
- Cool bars completely before slicing to get clean, neat squares.
- Customize toppings with toasted pistachios or powdered sugar for enhanced presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximate)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: pistachio pudding, sugar cookie bars, pistachio dessert, easy cookie bars, creamy pistachio, nutty dessert, gluten-free dessert option
