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Pistachio Cookie Bars Recipe

4.8 from 229 reviews

Deliciously rich and indulgent Pistachio Cookie Bars featuring a buttery dough studded with chocolate chips and chopped pistachios, layered with creamy pistachio creme. Perfectly baked to golden brown and cut into 16 generous squares, these bars offer a delightful combination of crunchy nuts, melty chocolate, and smooth creaminess in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 170g butter, softened
  • 280g dark brown sugar
  • 1 large, free range egg
  • 400g plain flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 350g plain chocolate chips, divided (250g + 100g)
  • 200g unsalted pistachios, chopped

Filling

  • Pistachio creme (quantity as desired for layering)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9×9 inch square baking tin with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, creating a smooth base for your dough.
  3. Add Egg and Mix: Add the large egg to the butter and sugar mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even incorporation, then mix until fully combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix: Add the plain flour, baking powder, 250g of the chocolate chips, and chopped pistachios to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to form a thick cookie dough, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Assemble the Bars: Using lightly floured hands, press half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking tin to form the base layer. Spoon generous dollops of pistachio creme over this dough layer. Then, top with the remaining dough, flattening it gently even if some of the creme peeks through. Sprinkle the remaining 100g chocolate chips evenly on top for an extra chocolatey finish.
  6. Bake: Place the tin in the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove the baked bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy your pistachio cookie bars!

Notes

  • Use light hand when mixing flour to avoid tough cookie bars.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of pistachio creme depending on how rich you want the filling.
  • Let bars cool completely for clean cutting and best texture.
  • You can toast the pistachios for a deeper nutty flavor before chopping.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • These bars freeze well and can be thawed overnight in the fridge.

Keywords: pistachio cookie bars, pistachio creme, chocolate chip bars, nutty cookie bars, easy baked dessert