Frosted Pistachio Bars Recipes

PISTACHIO CREAM BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, beat butter and 2/3 cup powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in flour and baking powder. Stir in nuts. Press dough in bottom of pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. In another medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar on medium speed 1 minute or until creamy. Fold in vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of the whipped cream. Spread over baked crust. Refrigerate.
• In medium bowl, mix dry pudding mix and 1 cup milk as directed on package. Refrigerate 5 minutes. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Garnish with additional chopped nuts, if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

SAFFRON PISTACHIO BLONDIES

Steps:

• Make the bars: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper such that the paper spills out over the sides of the pan, like wings.
• In a food processor, pulse the pistachios until the nuts are very finely ground. Don't let them get pasty. Add the flour, salt, baking powder and cardamom and pulse to combine.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and shiny. (The butter will separate at first, then blend in.) Whisk in the eggs until incorporated. Add the pistachio mixture and mix with a silicone spatula to combine. Gently stir in the white chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer.
• Bake until the sides are brown and pull away from the pan, and the middle is slightly paler in color, 25 to 27 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center will come out with a few crumbs attached. Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
• While the bars cool, make the frosting: Finely grind the saffron threads in a mortar using a pestle or in a microwave-safe bowl using the back of a spoon. If needed, transfer the ground saffron to a microwave-safe bowl or to a small saucepan if you don't have a microwave. Stir in the milk, and microwave on high or heat over medium until the mixture is frothing around the edges but not boiling, about 30 seconds. Place the bowl in the refrigerator or freezer to quickly cool the mixture.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, use an electric hand or stand mixer or a heavy whisk or wooden spoon to beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. If working by hand, this takes some muscle. Add the confectioners' sugar and salt and beat again until homogeneous and no clumps of sugar remain. Beat in the cooled saffron milk until well-combined. The frosting will turn a bright golden hue.
• Once the bars have cooled completely, scrape the frosting over the top, and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Crush or chop some pistachios for garnish and sprinkle all over the top. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before eating. The bars keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 1 month.

PISTACHIO BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine flour and 1/4 cup sugar; mix well. With pastry blender or fork, cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture in bottom of ungreased 8-inch square pan.
• Bake at 350°F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat egg slightly in medium bowl. Add all remaining topping ingredients except pistachios and coconut; mix well. Stir in pistachios and coconut.
• Remove pan from oven. Spoon and spread coconut mixture evenly over warm base. Return to oven; bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 hour 15 minutes or until completely cooled. Cut into bars.