These pistachios and chocolate chip cookie bars are the ultimate easy dessert. They are gooey, chocolatey and have a hint of pistachios that adds the perfect touch of nutty flavor. These bars are a delicious, sweet treat that only takes about 25 minutes to make from start to finish.
I could argue that pistachios are one of the best nuts for baking. Although I do love to create delicious treats with other nuts, the sweet and earthy pistachios complement the chocolate flawlessly. To achieve the perfect pistachio dessert, I love to blend up some pistachios into a coarse sand like texture as well as add whole pistachios. This boosts the pistachio flavor, as well as adds to the texture. I did this for my pistachio coffee cake and loved the outcome. So, I knew that following the same formula for this recipe would be a hit…and it certainly was!
And why cookie bars instead of cookies? Because they are just so dang EASY to make! No scooping out to form the cookies, or chill time in the refrigerator. Just place all the dough right into a baking pan, press down, and bake. Simple, yet absolutely delicious! And don’t get me wrong, I love cookies. But having a really easy recipe like this one is nice to have to add to the mix.
Why you will fall in love with these pistachio and chocolate chip cookie bars
Easy: You only need a handful of ingredients and about 25 minutes to make these pistachio and chocolate cookie bars from start to finish! Plus, no chill time required! Just press the cookie dough right into the pan and bake them up!
Packed with pistachio: There is both ground up pistachio and whole pistachios used in these cookie bars! They are not overwhelming, just the perfect amount to complement the chocolate chips.
Gooey and delicious: The middle of these cookie bars are gooey, soft and full of chocolate and pistachios. They are irrestiable and never last long!
What you need to make these cookie bars
All-purpose flour: No fancy flour needed. Just an all-purpose flour is used in this cookie bar recipe.
Pistachios: You will need a total of 3/4 cup of shelled pistachios. 1/4 cup will be blended down into a sand like texture and the 1/2 cup will just get roughly chopped. You can use salted, unsalted or lightly salted pistachios. Just beware that the salt level on the pistachios will influence the saltiness in the cookie bars.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness to these cookie bars.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives these bars not only the perfect sweet flavor but adds to the moisture in the bars, keeping them soft and chewy.
Unsalted Butter: You will need 1 stick of softened butter to add flavor, moisture and structure.
Vanilla Extract: Adds to the flavor of these pistachio chocolate bars.
Salt: Enhances the flavors.
Eggs: 1 whole egg, plus one egg yolk adds the right amount of moisture and structure.
Baking powder & baking soda: The leavening agents used in this cookie bar recipe.
Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips make these cookie bars sweet and full of chocolate goodness. I love to with a dark chocolate chip, but you can use whatever you prefer.
Tips and tricks when making these cookie bars
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy to clean up! If you choose to skip the parchment paper, lightly spray the pan with oil to help prevent the cookies from sticking.
- You can either use a stand mixer or a large bowl and electric hand mixer to make these cookies.
- This recipe uses 1 whole egg and 1 egg yolk. But do not feel like you need to waste the egg white (I know eggs are pricy and hard to find right now!). Instead, when you separate the eggs, save the egg white to add to another recipe or scrambled eggs.
- Be careful not to over bake the cookie bars. You will want to edges to be set, but the center should be a little gooey still. I found the perfect time is about 16 minutes for the bake time, but there are external factors that will influence how long it takes for these to bake. Start low and check on the bars.
- You can store leftovers in an airtight container for about 3 days at room temperature.
If you give these pistachio and chocolate chip cookie bars a try, let me know your thoughts in the comments! I really appreciate your feedback.
And be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations.
From my kitchen to yours, happy baking! I hope you love these cookie bars as much as my family does!
Pistachio and Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 C. All-Purpose Flour
- 3/4 C. Pistachios divided
- 1/3 C. Sugar
- 1/2 C. Brown sugar
- 1/2 C. Unsalted Butter softened
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 3/4 C. Chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 Egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
- 1 tsp. Baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sugars and softened butter. Cream together using a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 30 seconds on medium speed. Add on the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix together until combined.
- Add 1/4 of the pistachios to a food processor and blend into a coarse powder. Add to the mixing bowl. Add in the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir together until combined. Fold in 1/2 cup pistachios (whole) and chocolate chips.
- Pour the cookie dough into an 8×8 metal baking pan either lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Using your hands, or spatula, firmly press the cookie dough down into the pan, making sure it is level. Bake the cookie bars for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are set. The center will still be slightly gooey.
- Let cool slightly and enjoy!
