Description
Buttery, chewy cookie bars packed with chopped pistachios and optionally topped with a glaze—simple to make, elegantly nutty, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
Optional toppings: extra chopped pistachios, icing sugar, or a simple glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang.
- Cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually blend dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in chopped pistachios, reserving some for topping if desired.
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle extra pistachios on top if using.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until edges are golden and center is just set.
- Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
- Drizzle with glaze if desired and serve.
Notes
Swap half the pistachios for white or dark chocolate chips.
Add orange or lemon zest for citrus brightness.
Include dried cranberries or cherries for tart contrast.
Use browned butter for a nutty, toasty twist.
Top with vanilla or citrus glaze for added sweetness and shine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/12 of batch)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
