Pistachio Cream Bars
These Pistachio Cream Bars have a shortbread cookie base and the filling is a cross between a pudding and a cheesecake.
Though you can make them any time of year, they are a nice treat for St. Patrick’s Day with the green colour. I don’t need a special occasion to make these yummy bars. It’s always a good time!
Pistachio Cream Bars
It has been a long time since I’ve had pistachios. They are quite the hard little nut to find especially where I live. I had to go to four different grocery stores to find them. The joys of living in a small town! However, pistachio instant pudding mix was readily available at all the little stores. Go figure!
These bars are SOOOOO good! It’s creamy, smooth and sweet. They taste even better the next day. That is, if you have any leftovers. You might just gobble them up in one sitting.
Let them set in the fridge overnight and it will be very easy to cut into squares the next day. Yum! There’s a reason I’ve been making this recipe for years.
How to Make Pistachio Cream Bars
They don’t require much effort to make!
Start by combining the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the butter with a mixer on medium speed until completely blended.
Add the dough mixture to a 13×9 inch pan and press down. This will be your shortbread crust.
Bake the crust for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Let cool.
To make the filling, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Add milk and pistachio pudding mix and continue to mix until fully combined.
Spread the pudding mixture over the baked crust. Sprinkle pistachios on top. Refrigerate for at least one hour or until set.
It makes 24 to 36 bars depending on the portion size. Yum!
Bar Recipes
Want more bar recipes to try? I have several for you here.
- Mud Hen Bars: A vintage dessert from Grandma’s cookbook! It has a cookie bar base, topped with a rich layer of walnuts, chocolate and melted marshmallows followed by a sweet brown sugar meringue topping.
- Sour Cream Raisin Bars: This easy dessert recipe is a cross between a date square and a butter tart. It has a creamy raisin filling that everyone loves!
- Lemon Bars: This easy lemon dessert will practically melt in your mouth!
- Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars: This cheesecake has a rich butterscotch base, smooth, creamy cheesecake filling and topped with some butterscotch crunch.
How Do You Tell If Shortbread Bars are Done
You will find that your shortbread bars will start to turn golden brown on top, and you can take a toothpick and stick in the bar and if it comes out clean it is done.
Make sure to watch that your edges of the bars don’t get overly brown or that means that you overcooked your shortbread bars.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
These kitchen tools will help you get the job done!
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How to Store Pistachio Cream Bars
You will want to store your pistachio cream bars in the fridge. The reason being is the filling of these bars has to be refrigerated or it will go bad. So make sure to store properly for up to a week.
One note is that if you serve these bars make sure not to leave them out at room temperature for more than two hours at a time. The reason being is after the two hour mark, you will find that bacteria can begin to grow at a much more rapid pace.
Can I Use a Different Type of Nut to Top Pistachio Bars
I love having pistachios on top of these bars, but if you don’t have any, feel free to reach for walnuts or even pecans. It will still give you that nice crunch factor while pairing nicely with the flavors in this dessert.
Can I Use a Gluten Free Crust in this Recipe
If you want to make a gluten free based crust you are more than welcome. If you have a gluten free flour that converts well compared to all purpose flour feel free to experiment to see if it works.
You will find many gluten free flour blends can easily be swapped in replace of regular flour. Others there is some math involved to convert. I can’t guarantee the recipe will work with any flour. But most will work okay in swapping.
When to Serve Pistachio Pie Bars
- Potlucks | This is the perfect dessert to whip up the night before you plan to have a potluck! Bring in a covered dish for the ultimate dessert.
- Holidays | St. Patty’s Day, Easter, and more these bars are a colorful dessert to share with friends and family.
- Weeknight Dessert | Or don’t require a reason and make these bars up for a weeknight dessert. Or reward your family with a treat to break up a long work week.
Pistachio Dessert
Pistachios don’t always get the credit they deserve in my eyes. If you want a creamy, dreamy, and crunch worthy easy pistachio dessert, this recipe is a must.
Can You Freeze Pistachio Cream Bars
Because of the pudding base of these pistachio bars, you will find they don’t freeze and thaw well. It is best to only make what you plan to eat and then discard the rest when it expires.
Can I Double this Cream Bar Recipe
If you would like to make a double batch of these cream bars you are more than welcome to. Just use two pans and mix them up accordingly. You can mix up the batter in the same bowl and then just divide it between the two.
Let me know if you try this recipe out and what you thought about it! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
You’ll also like this Shamrock Shake.
Pistachio Cream Bars
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Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- 1 package cream cheese 8oz/250g, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 box Pistachio instant pudding mix 4 serving size
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup pistachios roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300ºF. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Then beat in the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until completely blended. Add the dough mixture to a 13×9 inch pan and press down to make the crust.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until edges of the crust are golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blend. Then add in milk and Pistachio pudding mix and continue mixing until fully combined.
- Spread pudding mixture evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the nuts on top. Refrigerate for at least an hour or until set. Makes 24 to 36 bars depending on the portion size.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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OMG…I think I will be making these and hiding them.LOL
This reminds me of something my gramma used to make and I LOVED it! I love pistachio flavor stuff… sadly the only other person around to eat stuff doesn’t like pistachio flavored stuff. Maybe I could make a smaller portion at a time.
Do you think a person could use crushed shortbread cookies as the base vs making a base?
You could try but I wonder if the base would fall apart when you cut them into squares?
yum! these look Sooo goood!
This is a perfect recipe for St Patty’s day were having a huge party so I better make 4xs this recipe !
You’re killin’ me! These look so good. Everything I love is in them and I’m going to make them!
Want to try the pistachio cream bars for St. Paddy’s Day.
I use pecan sandy cookys for my crust these are awsome thanks
The pistachio cream bars look so yummy. I would love to try them. I have most of the ingredients in the pantry, so I may whip some up.
This looks so good! It kind of reminds me of a similar bar that my mother used to make. I can’t wait to try making these. Thanks for the recipe!
Hello
Thank you for this recipe I plan to try this one I like pistachios far as the flour is concerned not sure what I will use. I’m usually one who makes substitutions or add things.
Wow, don’t see too many Pistachio recipes out there. Would love to make this for St. Patty’s Day dessert. Thanks for the recipe, Stacie!
I love pistachio. This recipe looks amazing. Hope to try it sometime.
Hmmm these look good, I dont usually do Pistachios but I might try these 🙂
Thanks for sharing, this one I’m going to make I just love pistachios, I have a pistachio cake that I make but this recipe sounds so much better
I loved Pistachio Muffins (can’t find them anymore) I am excited to try these!! BOOKMARKED <3 Thank youuuu
I do’y make sweets often but, I’m gonna try these. They look delish.
I never tried a pistachio bar before but that looks beautiful
Love pistachio
Simply awesome ♥
I love this! Thank you, will try it with my family.