Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars

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If you love desserts that balance sweet, tart, and buttery flavors, these Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars are about to become your new favorite bake. Juicy blackberries melt into a silky fruit layer, nestled on a tender shortbread crust and finished with a crunchy pistachio topping. Every bite delivers contrast, texture, and comfort—perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or a simple homemade treat with coffee.

These bars are approachable for beginners yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Best of all, they’re easy to customize, store beautifully, and slice into neat, bakery-style squares.

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2–4 tablespoons ice-cold water

For the Blackberry Filling

• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Pistachio Topping

• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions for Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the egg yolk and ice water, mixing gently until the dough comes together.
5. Press evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
6. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until lightly golden.

Step 2: Cook the Blackberry Filling

1. Add blackberries and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring gently, until berries release their juices.
3. Stir in lemon juice and cornstarch.
4. Cook 1–2 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Make the Pistachio Topping

1. In a bowl, whisk brown sugar, baking powder, and flour.
2. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla extract.
4. Fold in pistachios.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

1. Spread the blackberry filling evenly over the crust.
2. Sprinkle the pistachio topping over the fruit layer.
3. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Allow bars to cool completely in the pan for 1–2 hours before slicing.

Pro Tips

• Use cold butter for a flaky, tender crust.
• Avoid overmixing to keep the texture light.
• Line the pan with parchment for easy lifting and clean cuts.

Why This Recipe Works

• Balanced sweet-tart flavor from fresh berries
• Crunchy pistachios add texture and richness
• Shortbread base provides buttery stability
• Easy to adapt for dietary needs

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Guide

• Make Ahead: Prepare crust and topping up to 24 hours in advance
• Room Temperature: Store up to 3 days in an airtight container
• Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for 5 days
• Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Warm briefly in the oven or microwave

Serving Ideas for Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars

• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
• Add fresh whipped cream and berries
• Pair with hot tea or coffee
• Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar

Nutrition (Per Serving Estimate)

• Calories: ~200
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 12g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen blackberries?

Yes, thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking.

How do I keep the crust tender?

Work quickly and keep the butter cold.

Do these bars travel well?

Absolutely. They hold their shape and transport easily.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, use a larger pan and increase baking time slightly.

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars bring together vibrant fruit, buttery shortbread, and nutty crunch in one irresistible dessert. They’re simple to make, stunning to serve, and guaranteed to disappear fast—perfect for any occasion.

Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars

Ovalioekrg

These Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet-tart blackberry filling, and a crunchy pistachio topping. Easy to make yet bakery-worthy, they’re perfect for gatherings, holidays, or an everyday dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 bars

Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• saucepan
• pastry cutter or fork
• Oven

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for crust)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2–4 tbsp ice-cold water
• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for topping)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly, then add the egg yolk and ice water until the dough comes together. Press evenly into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, cook blackberries and sugar for 5–7 minutes until the berries release their juices. Stir in lemon juice and cornstarch and cook 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
• In a bowl, whisk brown sugar and baking powder. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly, then mix in the egg and vanilla. Fold in the pistachios.
• Spread the blackberry filling evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the pistachio topping over the fruit layer.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let cool completely in the pan for 1–2 hours before slicing.

Notes

Always allow the bars to cool completely before slicing for clean edges. The flavor improves after resting overnight. Frozen blackberries can be used if thawed and well drained. Store tightly covered to maintain freshness.

Keyword blackberry bars, dessert bars, fruit bars, pistachio dessert

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