Pistachio Bliss Bars

Recipe Introduction: Pistachio Bliss Awaits!

Ever wondered what pure dessert heaven tastes like? Honestly, these Pistachio Bliss Bars might just be it. This recipe lets you dive headfirst into a world of pistachio butter dessert goodness!

Quick Hook: Nutty Goodness!

Fancy something nutty, sweet, and utterly irresistible? This pistachio butter dessert is a dreamy mix of buttery shortbread and a rich, gooey pistachio filling. The salty finish makes this the perfect dessert.

Brief Overview: Simple Elegance

These bars bring together a shortbread base and a creamy pistachio topping. The concept of nutty dessert bars comes from the States.

Pistachio shortbread bars ? A delightful twist on the classic! They're medium difficulty, taking about an hour and a half to make.

One batch yields 16 delicious bars.

Main Benefits: Goodness in Every Bite

Pistachios are packed with healthy fats and antioxidants. These homemade pistachio bars are perfect for a tea-time treat or a potluck.

The texture makes these bars special. The balance of salt and pistachio flavor makes this pistachio treat recipe stand out.

Ready to get started? You'll need some unsalted butter, granulated sugar, salt, all-purpose flour.

A Tale of Two Butters

Once, I tried making these using store-bought and homemade pistachio butter bars , you know? Let me tell you the homemade pistachio butter took these Pistachio cookie bars to another level! You could really taste the nutty goodness.

What a difference it made!

More Than "Just Okay"

Honestly, I've made a ton of desserts, but these Gooey Pistachio Dessert are different. There's something special about that nutty, buttery flavour.

These Salted Pistachio Bars are surprisingly easy, and make you feel like a real baking pro!

Now, gather your saucepan, baking tray and let's get started!

Ingredients & Equipment

Okay, let's get cracking on these Pistachio Bliss Bars ! First things first, you'll need your ingredients. I've made these bars a bunch of times, and getting the right stuff makes all the difference.

Trust me, I've learned the hard way.

Main Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust:

• 1 cup (2 sticks/ 226g ) unsalted butter, softened. The butter has to be soft enough to easily mix, or you'll end up with a lumpy crust.
• ½ cup ( 100g ) granulated sugar.
• ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5g ) salt.
• 2 cups ( 250g ) all-purpose flour.

For the Pistachio Butter Filling:

• 1 cup ( 240ml ) heavy cream.
• ½ cup ( 100g ) granulated sugar.
• ½ cup ( 113g ) unsalted butter, cubed.
• 1/4 teaspoon ( 1.5g ) salt.
• 1 cup ( 240g ) smooth pistachio butter . Honestly, the better the pistachio butter , the better your pistachio butter dessert will be. I'm all about that gooey pistachio dessert .
• 1 teaspoon ( 5ml ) vanilla extract.

For Garnish (Optional):

• Flaky sea salt.
• Chopped pistachios.

Seasoning Notes

For a good flavour, you will need vanilla extract. Also, Don't skip the salt. It really brings out the nutty flavour in these dessert bars .

If you are out of vanilla extract, almond extract works okay too.

Equipment Needed

• 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Parchment paper. Makes cleanup a breeze. Trust me!
• Mixing bowls.
• Electric mixer.
• Saucepan.
• Rubber spatula. Gets every last bit of that delicious filling!

Don't have a fancy mixer? A whisk and some elbow grease will do! And if you are out of parchment paper, you can grease and flour the pan.

Ready to bake these homemade pistachio bars or pistachio shortbread bars ?

Cooking Method: Blind Baking for Pistachio Bliss Bars

Honestly, if you want to elevate your pistachio butter dessert game, you need to master blind baking. It's not as intimidating as it sounds, promise! It's basically pre-baking a pie or tart crust to prevent a soggy bottom, especially crucial when you're working with wet fillings like the luscious pistachio butter goodness we're about to create for our Pistachio Butter Bars .

Trust me, nobody wants a soggy bottom on their Pistachio shortbread bars !

Prep Steps: Mise en Place is Key

First things first: essential mise en place . Get all your ingredients measured out and ready to go. This is like your cooking uniform, no cooking skills needed to do it.

Also, ensure your pie crust (homemade or store-bought, no judgement) is well chilled. For time saving, I usually prep my shortbread crust the night before.

Safety reminder: Always use oven mitts when handling hot baking pans. I once learned that the hard way with a hot plate.

Ouch!

step-by-step: Blind Baking Like a Pro

1. Dock the crust: Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. This releases steam and prevents puffing.
2. Line with parchment: Cut a piece of parchment paper slightly larger than the pie plate. Gently press it into the crust.
3. Add weights: Fill the parchment lined crust with pie weights, dried beans, or rice. This keeps the crust from shrinking or collapsing.
4. Bake blind: Bake in a preheated oven at 375° F ( 190° C) for 15- 20 minutes .
5. Remove weights: Carefully remove the parchment paper and weights.
6. Continue baking: Return the crust to the oven and bake for another 5- 10 minutes , or until lightly golden brown. Watch out for the time to not get burnt.
7. Cool completely: Let the crust cool completely before filling.

Pro Tips: Secrets to a Perfect Crust

Pro Tip 1: For an extra crisp crust, brush it with a lightly beaten egg white after removing the weights and before the final bake.

Pro Tip 2: If you see any air pockets forming during baking, gently poke them with a toothpick to release the air.

Common mistake: Overbaking the crust. It should be lightly golden, not dark brown. I can tell you by experience. Don't make the same mistake!

So there you have it! Now you’re ready to fill that perfectly blind baked crust with our yummy pistachio butter bars .

These nutty dessert bars and the base for something special. Remember that time I tried to skip blind baking? It was a disaster! Honestly, taking the extra time makes all the difference.

Get ready for some serious pistachio cookie bars bliss, because it is one easy pistachio dessert recipe . Now, let's get this bread, or in this case, these homemade pistachio bars !

Recipe Notes For Your Pistachio Butter Dessert Adventure

Right then, let's talk about the nitty gritty for these Pistachio Bliss Bars . Honestly, even the best recipes sometimes need a little tweaking, you know? Here are some notes and tips that I’ve picked up along the way.

Think of it like insider info from a mate.

Serving Suggestions: Get Your Pistachio Butter Bars Ready

Presentation matters, doesn't it? I like to cut these nutty dessert bars into neat squares or even fancy little diamonds if I'm feeling posh.

A dusting of icing sugar always looks nice, or even better, a few extra chopped pistachios for that vibrant green pop.

For sides, a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream is lush . A small dollop of fresh whipped cream also works.

If you're feeling fancy, pair these bars with a dessert wine, like a Moscato.

Storage Tips: Easy Pistachio Dessert Recipe

If you're lucky enough to have any left, these pistachio shortbread bars keep well. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days .

Honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! You can also freeze them, properly wrapped, for up to 2 months .

Just thaw them out in the fridge overnight. For reheating, avoid microwave, it ruins the texture.

Variations: Get Creative With Your Pistachio Treat Recipe!

Fancy a twist? Swap out some of the flour in the crust for almond flour. Gives it a lovely nutty flavour.

If you are after some gooey pistachio dessert adaptions, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top is always a winner.

For a dietary adaptation, why not try a gluten-free version? Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend.

Or use vegan butter substitute to convert these into vegan Homemade Pistachio Bars .

Nutrition Basics

Okay, let’s talk numbers. Each bar has an estimated 350 calories. There's about 5g of protein, 25g of fat and 30g of carbs and 20g of sugar.

Not exactly health food, are they?

But hey, pistachio butter does have some good fats and vitamins. Just enjoy them in moderation, eh? These salted pistachio bars are more of a treat than a meal plan, innit?.

It has been scientifically proven that the enjoyment of a meal has a positive outcome in mental health, so go ahead, eat the pistachio blondies , just don't forget to exercise later!

So, there you have it! All my Pistachio Cookie Bars secrets revealed. Now go forth and bake some Pistachio Bliss Bars ! And don’t forget to let me know how they turn out.

Happy baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this pistachio butter dessert ahead of time?

Absolutely! These Pistachio Bliss Bars are perfect for making in advance. Once cooled and cut, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.

They are even delightful straight from the freezer, if you want to keep them for longer, just remember to wrap them properly!

I can't find pistachio butter! Is there a substitute for this pistachio butter dessert recipe?

Finding pistachio butter can sometimes be a bit like searching for hen's teeth, can't it? If you're struggling, you can try making your own by blending roasted pistachios until smooth.

Alternatively, you can use almond butter or cashew butter as a substitute, but be mindful that the flavor won't be quite the same; it'll still be lovely, just a bit different!

Help! My pistachio butter filling is too runny. What did I do wrong?

A runny filling often means it wasn't cooked long enough. The filling needs to simmer gently until it thickens slightly. Don't be tempted to crank up the heat though! Just keep stirring patiently until it reaches a glossy sheen and a slight resistance when stirring, then let it cool slightly before pouring it over the base.

If it's really runny you could try adding a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water) to the filling while it's simmering.

Are there any variations I can try with this pistachio butter dessert recipe?

Oh, absolutely! Fancy a chocolate twist? Swirl melted dark chocolate into the pistachio butter filling before baking for a decadent treat. Or, for a vegan version, use vegan butter and cream substitutes, making sure your pistachio butter is also vegan.

You could even add a sprinkle of chopped pistachios on top for extra crunch and visual appeal. Get creative, and happy baking!

How can I store my Pistachio Bliss Bars and how long will they last?

These bars are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their texture. They should last for about 3 days if stored properly. Storing them in the refrigerator will extend their shelf life up to a week, but they might become a bit firmer, but not losing flavour.

Is this Pistachio Butter dessert recipe gluten-free?

As written, this recipe isn't gluten-free because of the all-purpose flour in the shortbread crust. But, don't despair! You can easily make it gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Be sure to choose a blend that's designed for baking, and you may need to adjust the liquid slightly to achieve the right consistency. Always check labels of all ingredients.