Pistachio Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you love chewy, nutty treats with a luscious twist, then you’re in for a real treat with this Pistachio Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. I absolutely love how these bars come together with that subtle pistachio flavor and a creamy frosting that takes them to the next level. Whether you’re baking for a party, dessert, or just a sweet snack, these bars will quickly become a family favorite. Stick around because I’ll share all my tips to make sure your bars turn out perfectly every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here is key to that perfect texture and flavor. I like to use good quality butter and fresh pistachios to really let those nutty notes shine. The instant pistachio pudding mix is a bit of a game changer—it gives the base a delightful chew without extra work.

• All Purpose Flour: Use fresh flour for tender bars that hold together well.
• Instant Pistachio Pudding Mix: This adds a fantastic nutty flavor and makes the bars delightfully chewy.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise slightly so they’re not too dense.
• Egg: Essential for structure and moisture in the bars.
• Butter (melted): I always use real butter for that rich, buttery flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the texture soft and moist.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bring the batter together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors – don’t skip it!
• Chopped Pistachios: Freshly chopped for a lovely crunch throughout the bars.
• Cream Cheese (softened): For the frosting, I always soften it fully to avoid lumps.
• Butter (softened for frosting): Helps create a smooth, creamy frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.
• Additional Chopped Pistachios: For topping and that extra crunch you’ll love.

Variations

I’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with this Pistachio Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe over the years. You can easily make it your own by swapping out ingredients or adding your favorite flavors. Feel free to get creative!

• Nut Swap: If you’re not a pistachio fan or have allergies, try walnuts or pecans instead—I’ve done that and it’s still fantastic.
• Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting for an extra nutty punch.
• Chocolate Drizzle: My family goes crazy when I drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the bars after frosting.
• Vegan Adaptation: You can try plant-based cream cheese and replace the egg with a flax egg to make it vegan-friendly.

How to Make Pistachio Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients and Pudding Mix

Start by combining the all purpose flour, both boxes of instant pistachio pudding mix, granulated sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk them together until evenly combined. This helps distribute the pudding mix and baking powder so your bars cook evenly and have that signature chewy texture.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Form Batter

In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, melted butter, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Then gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until everything comes together into a thick batter. Don’t overmix—you want it just combined to keep the texture tender.

Step 3: Stir in Chopped Pistachios and Bake

Fold in half a cup of chopped pistachios to get little pops of crunch in every bite. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Don’t overbake—you want these bars chewy, not dry.

Step 4: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars are cooling, it’s time to whip up that dreamy frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until silky smooth. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar, a little at a time, until you get a thick, spreadable frosting. Taste it as you go—I like mine sweet but balanced with the tang of cream cheese.

Step 5: Frost and Garnish

Once the bars are completely cool (very important to prevent melting!), spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped pistachios for a gorgeous finish and extra texture. Let the frosting set for about an hour before slicing into 24 squares.

How to Serve Pistachio Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I often garnish these bars with a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios—because who doesn’t love a little extra crunch? For more flair, a light dusting of edible gold dust or a drizzle of melted white chocolate makes these bars party-ready and irresistible.

Side Dishes

These pistachio bars are pretty rich, so I like pairing them with fresh fruit like berries or a tangy citrus salad to balance out the sweetness. A simple cup of coffee or chai tea also feels like the perfect match alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I’ve arranged these bars on tiered platters with edible flowers and pistachio clusters. They also look fantastic served in small individual parchment cups for gatherings or packed into pretty boxes when gifting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge – they stay fresh and the frosting keeps its creamy texture for up to 5 days, if they last that long! I always slice them before storing so they’re easy to grab.

Freezing

When I freeze these bars, I slice them individually and wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then store them in a zip-top bag. They freeze beautifully—just thaw in the fridge overnight and they’re almost as good as fresh!

Reheating

I usually enjoy these bars chilled, but if you prefer a slightly warmed treat, microwave a bar for about 10 seconds—just be careful not to melt the frosting completely. This softens the bar and brings out the pistachio aroma.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Pistachio Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites whenever I want to impress with minimal effort. The combination of chewy, nutty bars layered with that smooth, tangy frosting is a total crowd-pleaser. I promise you, once you try these, you’ll want to make them again and again—and maybe even share the secret with your closest friends (like I’m doing now!). So go ahead, preheat that oven, and enjoy every bite of this delightful treat.

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