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Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars Recipe

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4.1 from 55 reviews

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars combine a buttery, flaky crust with a luscious blackberry filling and a crunchy pistachio topping. These bars provide a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, with a delightful mix of textures from the tender crust, juicy berries, and nutty crumble topping. Ideal as a dessert or an afternoon treat, they offer the taste of fresh berries complemented by rich pistachios in a convenient bar form.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 bars

Ingredients

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 tablespoons of ice water, mixing gently until the dough comes together. Add more ice water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed. Press the dough evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until it turns golden.
  2. Make the blackberry filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the fresh blackberries and granulated sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries release their juices and the mixture is slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and cornstarch, continuing to cook and whisk until the filling thickens further, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  3. Prepare the pistachio topping: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, baking powder, and flour (the flour quantity is from context, needed to create crumbly texture as per method). Cut in the cold cubed butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gently fold in the shelled pistachios.
  4. Assemble and bake: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Pour and spread the blackberry filling evenly over the crust. Spoon the pistachio topping over the berry layer, pressing down gently to cover the filling evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the blackberry filling is bubbly.
  5. Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to let the filling set properly. Once cooled, slice into bars and serve.

Notes

  • You can substitute fresh berries with frozen ones but thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
  • Adjust granulated sugar in filling according to the sweetness of your berries.
  • Use gluten-free flour to make the crust gluten-free.
  • Ensure the butter is cold when cutting into flour for a flaky texture.
  • Allow bars to cool completely for clean slicing and better texture.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

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