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Blackberry Pistachio Dream Bars

A delicious dessert combining the tartness of blackberries with nutty pistachios, featuring a creamy filling and buttery crust.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the crust
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup ground pistachios
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar for crust
  • 0.75 cup cold butter cubed
For the filling
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar for filling
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the blackberry swirl
  • 2 cups blackberries
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar for swirl
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
For garnish
  • Crushed pistachios
  • Fresh blackberries

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a small saucepan, simmer blackberries with sugar and lemon juice for about 10 minutes until softened. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and allow the reduction to cool.
  2. In a food processor, pulse together flour, ground pistachios, sugar, and cold butter until crumbly. Press into a lined 8x8 baking pan.
Baking the crust
  1. Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
Preparing the filling
  1. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until fully combined.
  2. Pour the filling over the baked crust. Drop spoonfuls of the cooled blackberry reduction on top and swirl gently with a toothpick.
Baking the bars
  1. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
  2. Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing.
Serving
  1. Garnish with crushed pistachios and fresh blackberries before serving.

Notes

Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth filling. Don’t skip the chilling step! Refrigerating the bars for at least 4 hours helps them set properly. For a smoother blackberry swirl, blend the blackberries before simmering.