Save Festive, chewy blondie bars infused with earthy matcha and crunchy pistachios, cut into tree shapes and decorated for a holiday treat.
I first baked these matcha pistachio blondie bars for the holidays and they were a huge hit with family and friends.
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour 2 tbsp matcha green tea powder 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt
- Wet Ingredients: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Add-ins: 3/4 cup (90 g) shelled unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped
- Decoration (Optional): 1 cup (120 g) white chocolate chips or melting wafers Festive sprinkles or edible glitter Mini pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 3:
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until fully incorporated.
- Step 4:
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Stir in chopped pistachios.
- Step 5:
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 23–25 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Step 6:
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Step 7:
- Lift out blondies using the parchment overhang. Cut into triangles to resemble Christmas trees.
- Step 8:
- Melt white chocolate and drizzle over each triangle. Decorate with sprinkles and insert a mini pretzel stick at the base of each tree for the trunk.
- Step 9:
- Allow decorations to set before serving.
Save My family loves decorating these bars together every year, making holiday memories one tree-shaped blondie at a time.
Notes
For a deeper green hue, add an extra 1/2 tbsp matcha, but taste may be more intense.
Required Tools
8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan Mixing bowls Whisk and spatula Parchment paper Sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains: Eggs, dairy (butter, white chocolate), wheat (unless using gluten-free flour), nuts (pistachios), and gluten (pretzel sticks if not gluten-free). Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.
Save These bars bring festive cheer and delicious flavor to any holiday gathering.
Recipe Guide
- → What gives these bars their green color?
The vibrant green color comes from the matcha green tea powder mixed into the dry ingredients.
- → Can I substitute pistachios with other nuts?
Yes, pecans or almonds can be used instead of pistachios for a different texture and flavor.
- → How do I shape the bars into Christmas trees?
After baking and cooling, cut the bars into triangles using a sharp knife, then decorate to resemble Christmas trees.
- → What is the best way to decorate the bars?
Melt white chocolate to drizzle over the bars, add festive sprinkles or edible glitter, and use mini pretzel sticks as tree trunks.
- → Can these bars be made gluten-free?
Yes, substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend will make the bars gluten-free.