Introduction

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars combine a buttery crust, luscious berry filling, and a crunchy pistachio topping for a delightful homemade treat. These bars balance sweet and tart flavors with a satisfying texture, perfect for any occasion.

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

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

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and ice water, mixing until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into a greased baking pan and pre-bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
Step 2: For the filling, combine blackberries and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the berries release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and cornstarch, cooking another 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 3: For the topping, whisk together brown sugar, baking powder, and flour. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, then fold in the pistachios.
Step 4: Remove the crust from the oven and spread the blackberry filling evenly over it. Add the pistachio topping, pressing down gently. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Step 5: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use mixed berries instead of just blackberries for a different flavor profile.
Substitute pistachios with almonds or pecans for a nutty twist.
Adjust the sugar in the filling depending on the sweetness of your berries.
Chill the dough briefly before pressing into the pan to prevent shrinking during baking.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat briefly in a warm oven to restore freshness if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen berries for the filling?

Yes, frozen berries work well. Just thaw and drain any excess liquid before cooking to avoid a watery filling.

How do I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?

Pre-baking the crust until golden helps create a barrier against the filling and keeps it crisp.

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 504 reviews

These Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars offer a delightful combination of a buttery pre-baked crust, a luscious blackberry filling, and a crunchy pistachio topping. Perfect as a homemade dessert, these bars balance tart, sweet, and nutty flavors into every bite.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

1 cup All-Purpose Flour (or gluten-free flour)
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed)
1 large Egg Yolk (do not use the whole egg)
2–4 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
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed)
1 large Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 cup Pistachios (shelled and unsalted)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and 2-4 tablespoons ice water gradually, mixing until the dough comes together.
Pre-Bake Crust: Press the dough evenly into a greased baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside.
Make Blackberry Filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 cups fresh blackberries with 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the berries release their juices. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
Prepare Pistachio Topping: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 cup flour. Cut in 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter until crumbly. Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Fold in 1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios.
Assemble Bars: Pour the cooled blackberry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Spread it out gently. Then evenly spread the pistachio topping over the filling, pressing down gently for an even layer.
Bake Final Bars: Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into bars and serve.

Notes

Use cold ingredients for the crust and topping to ensure a crumbly texture.
Adjust sugar in the filling according to the sweetness of your berries.
To make gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For easier slicing, chill bars completely before cutting.

Keywords: blackberry bars, pistachio dessert, baked fruit bars, homemade dessert, berry pistachio bars