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Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars: Irresistible Homemade Bliss Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 47 reviews

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars are a delectable homemade treat featuring a buttery pre-baked crust layered with a luscious blackberry filling, topped with a crumbly pistachio streusel. These bars combine tart berries and nutty crunch to create an irresistible dessert perfect for summer gatherings or cozy afternoons.

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 (use cold water)

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

Topping

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the 1/2 cup cold, cubed butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and 2 to 4 tablespoons of ice water, mixing just until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into a greased baking pan.
  2. Pre-bake crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until it turns golden. Remove from the oven and set aside while you prepare the filling.
  3. Make the blackberry filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the fresh blackberries and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the berries release their juices. Stir in the lemon juice and cornstarch, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool slightly.
  4. Prepare the pistachio topping: In a bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, baking powder, and 1 cup flour. Cut in the 1/2 cup cold, cubed butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract, then carefully fold in the shelled pistachios.
  5. Assemble and bake: Pour the cooled blackberry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Spread the pistachio topping evenly over the filling, gently pressing it down. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly.
  6. Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 bars. This ensures the filling sets properly for clean slices and the perfect texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen blackberries; if frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking.
  • Adjust sugar in the filling according to the sweetness of your berries.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Chilling the dough before baking can improve crust texture, though it’s optional.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • These bars can be served warm or chilled, excellent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Keywords: Blackberry bars, Pistachio dessert, Fruit bars, Homemade bars, Nutty topping, Berry filling, Summer dessert

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/blackberry-pistachio-dream-bars-irresistible-homemade-bliss-recipe/