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Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 53 reviews

These Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a luscious blackberry filling and a crunchy pistachio crumble topping. Perfectly balanced with sweet, tart, and nutty flavors, these bars are an irresistible treat for berry lovers and nut enthusiasts alike.

Ingredients

Scale

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 (cold)

Blackberry Filling

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

Pistachio Topping

  • 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (to be combined with topping dry ingredients)
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Pistachios (shelled and unsalted)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare crust. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and cold ice water, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more as needed, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Press the dough evenly into a greased baking pan.
  2. Pre-bake the crust. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until it turns golden. This step ensures a crisp bottom layer to hold the filling without sogginess.
  3. Prepare the blackberry filling. While the crust bakes, combine the fresh blackberries and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the berries release their juices. Stir in the lemon juice and cornstarch, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  4. Make the pistachio topping. In a separate bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, baking powder, and 1 cup all-purpose flour. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture is crumbly. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix lightly until combined. Fold in the pistachios evenly.
  5. Assemble the bars. Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Pour the cooled blackberry filling on top and spread it evenly. Then, sprinkle and gently press the pistachio topping over the berry layer.
  6. Bake the assembled bars. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
  7. Cool and serve. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set the filling and topping before slicing into bars. Serve at room temperature or chilled for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
  • The crust can be made with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
  • Adjust sugar in the filling depending on berry sweetness.
  • Do not overmix the dough to keep the crust tender.
  • Letting bars cool completely before slicing prevents the filling from oozing out.

Keywords: Blackberry Bars, Pistachio Dessert, Berry Crumble Bars, Shortbread Bars, Nutty Berry Bars, Summer Dessert

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