Description
Homemade pistachio pudding sugar cookie bars blend nostalgic comfort with modern dessert creativity. Rich pistachio flavors and buttery cookie textures create an irresistible treat you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310 g, 11 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g, 7 oz) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g, 3.5 oz) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (225 g, 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 (3.4 oz or 96 g) boxes instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (60 g, 2 oz) chopped pistachios (optional)
- ½ cup (115 g, 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250 g, 9 oz) powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsps (45–60 ml) milk or heavy cream
- Green food coloring (optional, for a brighter hue)
- Chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack positioned centrally for consistent heat circulation.
- Pan Setup: Grease the baking pan and line with parchment paper, creating overhanging edges for easy removal of the baked bars.
- Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk together flour, pistachio pudding mix, and other dry ingredients until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugars in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale, developing a silky foundation for the cookie bars.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Blend eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, ensuring a complete and uniform emulsification.
- Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing minimally to maintain a tender texture and prevent tough cookies.
- Pan Distribution: Spread the dough evenly across the prepared pan, using a spatula to create a level surface and consistent thickness.
- Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a set but slightly soft center.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment paper edges and slice into precise, uniform squares.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Texture: Mix dry and wet ingredients minimally to avoid developing gluten, which can make cookies dense and chewy instead of soft and tender.
- Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened, not melted, to create the perfect creamy base that helps cookies maintain a light, fluffy consistency.
- Even Baking Technique: Spread dough uniformly in the pan and use a center oven rack to guarantee consistent golden-brown edges and perfectly cooked centers.
- Cooling Is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan to help them set properly, preventing crumbling and maintaining a clean, professional cut when slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 248
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 132 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg