Description
Scrumptious pistachio pudding sugar cookie bars deliver a delightful twist on classic desserts. Sweet layers combine creamy pistachio pudding with buttery sugar cookie base, promising a memorable treat you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups (310 g / 11 oz) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 (3.4 oz or 96 g) boxes instant pistachio pudding mix
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250 g / 9 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 3–4 tbsps milk or heavy cream
- ½ cup (60 g / 2 oz) chopped pistachios (optional)
- Green food coloring (optional, for a brighter hue)
- Chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Grease a baking pan with butter or cooking spray, then line with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- Oven Setup: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 350°F, creating an optimal baking environment.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk pudding mix, flour, and other dry ingredients in a bowl, ensuring a lump-free, even mixture.
- Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugars in a separate bowl until light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookie bars.
- Egg Integration: Blend eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, maintaining a silky, consistent batter.
- Batter Composition: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, avoiding overmixing to preserve the delicate texture.
- Pan Distribution: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan, using a spatula to ensure uniform thickness and smooth surface.
- Baking Process: Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden and the center becomes slightly firm, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cooling and Setting: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, enabling them to set and develop optimal texture and consistency.
- Serving Preparation: Lift the entire batch using parchment paper overhang, then slice into clean, precise squares for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture gently to maintain a tender, soft texture without developing tough gluten strands.
- Control Moisture Balance: Use instant pistachio pudding mix to add flavor and ensure cookies remain moist without becoming soggy or dense.
- Precise Baking Time: Check bars at 20-minute mark; golden edges and slightly firm center indicate perfect doneness without overbaking or drying out.
- Customize Dietary Options: Substitute butter with plant-based alternatives and use gluten-free flour blend for vegan and gluten-sensitive variations, maintaining original recipe’s delicate structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg