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Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars: Irresistible Homemade Bliss Recipe

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4.2 from 79 reviews

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars are delightful 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 richness for an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.

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)
  • 24 tablespoons Ice Water (cold)

Filling

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

Topping

  • 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (assumed same as crust, not explicitly listed but implied)
  • 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 mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and gradually mix in the ice water until the dough comes together. Press this dough evenly into a greased baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
  2. Prepare the Filling: While the crust bakes, combine fresh blackberries and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the berries release their juices and the mixture starts bubbling, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in fresh lemon juice and cornstarch, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Make the Topping: In a bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, baking powder, and flour. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Then whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Fold in the shelled pistachios gently.
  4. Assemble and Bake: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Spread the blackberry filling evenly over the crust. Carefully add the pistachio topping over the filling, pressing down gently to adhere. Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.
  5. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before slicing into 12 servings. Serve and enjoy your Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars!

Notes

  • If using frozen berries, thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking to prevent a soggy crust.
  • You can substitute pistachios with walnuts or almonds as preferred.
  • Adjust sugar in the filling depending on the sweetness of your berries.
  • Ensure butter is cold for both crust and topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
  • Bars store well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free all-purpose flour blends.