If you love soft, chewy cookie bars that practically melt in your mouth, these Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars are about to be your new favorite dessert. With a hint of nutty pistachio flavor and the simplicity of a sugar cookie mix, this recipe is a no-fuss way to whip up something delicious in no time.
Why You’ll Love These Cookie Bars
These cookie bars are everything you want in a dessert—soft, chewy, and loaded with flavor. The pistachio pudding mix gives them a subtle nuttiness and gorgeous green hue, while the sugar cookie base keeps them sweet and simple. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just because you’re craving something sweet, this recipe is as easy as it gets.
Ingredients for Pistachio Pudding Cookie Bars
- Butter: Softened butter gives these bars their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Eggs: Helps bind everything together and adds a touch of moisture.
- Pistachio Instant Pudding Mix: The secret ingredient for that nutty flavor and lovely green color.
- Sugar Cookie Mix: Makes this recipe quick, easy, and foolproof.
How to Make Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F so it’s nice and hot when your cookie bars are ready to bake.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, eggs, and pistachio pudding mix with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Add the Dry Mix
Pour in the sugar cookie mix and keep blending until it forms a sticky dough.
Step 4: Spread the Dough
Grease a 10 x 15-inch baking sheet, then spread the dough evenly across the entire pan. Use a spatula (or your fingers!) to make sure it’s smooth and level.
Step 5: Bake
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top just starts to turn a light brown.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares or rectangles. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Dig in and savor the soft, chewy, pistachio-flavored goodness.
Tips for the Best Pistachio Cookie Bars
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on them—they should just start to brown on top. Overbaking can make them dry.
- Customize: Add chopped pistachios or white chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
- Use the Right Pan: A 10 x 15-inch baking sheet is ideal for even cooking and perfect thickness.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of pistachio pudding mix and sugar cookie dough creates a perfectly soft and flavorful dessert that’s quick to make and hard to resist. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself, these cookie bars are always a hit.
1. Can I use a different flavor of pudding mix?
Yes! While pistachio gives these bars a unique flavor, you can easily swap it for other instant pudding flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or butterscotch. Just keep the rest of the ingredients the same.
2. Can I make these bars without a sugar cookie mix?
You can make your own sugar cookie dough from scratch if you prefer, but the sugar cookie mix saves time and effort. If you want to go homemade, try combining flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, and eggs to create a similar base.
3. How should I store these cookie bars?
Store your cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 2 months.
4. Can I add nuts to the dough?
Absolutely! Chopped pistachios or any other nuts like almonds or walnuts would make a great addition to these cookie bars. Just fold them into the dough before spreading it in the pan.
5. What can I do if my dough is too sticky to spread?
If the dough feels too sticky, you can chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle. Alternatively, lightly dust your hands or spatula with flour to help spread the dough more evenly.
So, grab your ingredients and bake up a batch of these Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars—you deserve it!
Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3.4 oz pistachio instant pudding mix
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, eggs, and pistachio pudding mix. Use an electric mixer to blend until smooth.
- Add the sugar cookie mix to the bowl and continue mixing until a sticky dough forms.
- Spread the dough evenly onto a greased 10 x 15-inch baking sheet, covering the entire pan.
- Bake in the oven until the edges are browned and the top just starts to brown, about 10–12 minutes.
- Let the cookie bars cool completely before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy your sweet treat!
Notes
- For a stronger pistachio flavor, add a few drops of pistachio extract or finely chopped pistachios to the dough.
- If you prefer a softer texture, reduce the baking time by 1–2 minutes.
- For a decorative touch, sprinkle powdered sugar or drizzle with white chocolate after cooling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.