Nora
Soft, buttery, and bursting with a delightful pistachio flavor, these Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for anyone who loves a unique twist on classic cookie bars. With their vibrant green hue and a rich pistachio frosting topped with crunchy chopped pistachios, they don’t just taste amazing—they look stunning on any dessert table.
Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, holiday party, or just a cozy afternoon snack, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They have a soft, tender sugar cookie base that pairs beautifully with the creamy pistachio pudding frosting, making every bite melt in your mouth.
Why You’ll Love This Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Soft and Chewy Texture – The sugar cookie base bakes up perfectly tender and buttery.
- Unique Flavor – Pistachio pudding mix infuses the bars with a sweet, nutty flavor.
- Easy to Make – No fancy equipment required, just mix, bake, and frost.
- Beautiful Presentation – The green frosting with crushed pistachios makes them eye-catching.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for holidays, bake sales, or just a sweet treat at home.
What Kind of Pistachios Should I Use?
For the best flavor and crunch, use roasted, lightly salted pistachios. The light saltiness complements the sweet sugar cookie base and creamy pistachio frosting perfectly. If you prefer a more natural taste, you can use unsalted pistachios, but make sure they’re fresh and high-quality.
Ingredients for the Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect flavor and texture. Here’s why each one matters:
- All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of the cookie bars, giving them structure and a soft, tender bite.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the dough and helps create a slightly crisp edge.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and that classic buttery sugar cookie taste.
- Eggs – Provide moisture and help bind the dough for a soft texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall sweetness with a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Instant Pistachio Pudding Mix – The star of the recipe! Adds nutty pistachio flavor and gives the bars their signature green hue.
- Milk – Helps create a smooth frosting consistency.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a creamy spread.
- Chopped Pistachios – For garnish, adding extra crunch and a boost of pistachio flavor.
How To Make the Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step ensures the bars will have a tender texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, making sure everything is well incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and half of the pistachio pudding mix. Gradually add it to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Step 5: Bake the Cookie Bars
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make the Pistachio Frosting
In a bowl, whisk together the remaining pistachio pudding mix, milk, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Frost and Garnish
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and sprinkle generously with chopped pistachios.
Serving and Storing Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars
These bars are perfect for sharing and can feed about 12 to 16 people, depending on how big you cut them. The soft texture makes them a great choice for parties, potlucks, or just enjoying with family at home.
Storing
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to make them ahead, you can freeze the bars (without frosting) for up to 2 months. Simply thaw and frost when ready to serve.
What to Serve With Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars?
1. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
A scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream pairs beautifully with the nutty sweetness of the bars.
2. Fresh Berries
Bright raspberries or strawberries add a tart contrast to the rich pistachio flavor.
3. Hot Coffee or Latte
The smooth bitterness of coffee balances the sweet and buttery cookie bars.
4. Warm Green Tea
Enhances the nutty flavor while giving you a cozy, relaxing experience.
5. White Chocolate Drizzle
Melted white chocolate drizzled on top takes these bars to a new level of decadence.
6. Whipped Cream Dollop
A light, airy whipped cream topping adds a creamy contrast to the chewy base.
7. Salted Caramel Sauce
For extra indulgence, drizzle salted caramel sauce over each serving.
Want More Cookie Bar Ideas?
If you love these Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars, you’ll enjoy these other sweet creations from my kitchen:
- Easy Apple Crisp Bars for a fruity, cinnamon-kissed twist.
- Knock You Naked Bars if you crave gooey chocolate and caramel.
- Peach Cobbler Crumble Bars for a summery, fruit-packed delight.
- Delicious Boston Cream Poke Cake when you want creamy custard goodness in every bite.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save these Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars to your Pinterest dessert board so you can bake them anytime you crave a nutty, buttery treat.
And I’d love to hear from you! Did you make them extra nutty with more pistachios? Or maybe you added a white chocolate drizzle on top? Share your tweaks and let’s inspire each other to bake better.
Explore more delightful recipes on NoraNosh Recipes on Pinterest and find your next favorite dessert or snack.
Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 boxes instant pistachio pudding mix (3.4 oz each), divided
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
- Whisk flour and 1 box of pistachio pudding mix in another bowl, then mix into wet ingredients until combined.
- Spread dough into pan and bake 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool completely.
- Whisk remaining pistachio pudding mix, milk, and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Frost cooled bars and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.