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Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 128 reviews

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars are luscious homemade dessert bars featuring a buttery crust, a sweet and tangy blackberry filling, and a crunchy pistachio topping. These bars combine fresh berries with nutty, crumbly topping for an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust

  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour or gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed)
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 large Egg Yolk (do not use the whole egg)
  • 2–4 tablespoons Ice Water (use cold water)

For the Blackberry Filling

  • 2 cups Fresh Blackberries (or raspberries/blueberries)
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar (adjust as necessary)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (fresh juice is best)
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch

For the Pistachio Topping

  • 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 cup Pistachios (shelled and unsalted, or other nuts)
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and 2-4 tablespoons of ice water, mixing until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Pre-bake the crust for 15-20 minutes or until golden.
  2. Make the blackberry filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine fresh blackberries and granulated sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in fresh lemon juice and cornstarch, and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the pistachio topping: In a bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, baking powder, and flour. Cut in cold, cubed butter until the mixture is crumbly. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Fold in the shelled pistachios gently.
  4. Assemble the bars: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Pour the cooled blackberry filling evenly over the crust. Spread the pistachio topping evenly over the filling, pressing down gently to adhere.
  5. Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pistachio topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
  6. Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars. This helps the filling set properly for clean cuts.

Notes

  • Bars store well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • You can freeze the bars individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
  • Adjust the sugar in the filling based on the sweetness of your berries for best results.
  • Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free if desired.
  • Fresh lemon juice enhances the brightness of the berry filling, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.

Keywords: blackberry bars, pistachio dessert, berry dessert bars, homemade dessert bars, nutty dessert topping, easy baked bars, summer dessert

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/blackberry-pistachio-dream-bars-recipe/