Matcha Pistachio Christmas Bars

Festive, chewy blondie bars infused with earthy matcha and crunchy pistachios, cut into tree shapes and decorated for a holiday treat.

This recipe brings memorable holiday moments with family as we bake and decorate together every year.

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

Preheat Oven:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a medium bowl whisk together flour matcha powder baking powder and salt.

Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a large bowl combine melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla whisking until fully incorporated.

Combine Mixtures:

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Stir in chopped pistachios.

Spread and Bake:

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

Cool:

Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Cut Shapes:

Lift out blondies using the parchment overhang. Cut into triangles to resemble Christmas trees.

Decorate:

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.

Set Decorations:

Allow decorations to set before serving.

Pin

Baking and decorating these blondies has become a cherished family tradition every Christmas.

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.

Nutritional Information

Calories 230 Total Fat 12 g Carbohydrates 27 g Protein 3 g per serving

Pin

These blondie bars bring warmth and festive cheer to any holiday gathering.

Recipe Questions

→ Can I substitute gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour?

Yes, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can replace all-purpose flour for a gluten-free variant without compromising texture.

→ How do I get a more intense green color in the bars?

Adding an extra half tablespoon of matcha powder will deepen the green hue and enrich the earthy flavor.

→ Can I use nuts other than pistachios?

Pecans or almonds can be swapped for pistachios, providing a different crunch and flavor while maintaining the nutty texture.

→ What’s the best way to decorate these bars festively?

Melted white chocolate drizzle, festive sprinkles, edible glitter, and mini pretzel sticks for trunks create charming holiday tree shapes.

→ How should these bars be stored after baking?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.

→ What pairs well with these matcha pistachio bars?

Green tea complements the earthy matcha, while a glass of milk offers a creamy contrast to the chewy texture.