Name: Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 2 ½ cups (310 g / 11 ounces) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (200 g / 7 ounces) granulated sugar; ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) light brown sugar, packed; 2 (3.4 ounces or 96 g) boxes instant pistachio pudding mix; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup (60 g / 2 ounces) chopped pistachios (optional); 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups (250 g / 9 ounces) powdered sugar; 3-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream; Green food coloring (optional, for a brighter hue); Chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)

Green and creamy pistachio pudding sugar cookie bars might just become your new dessert obsession.

These delightful treats blend nutty richness with sweet, soft cookie textures that melt beautifully.

Biting into a square packed with subtle pistachio flavor and smooth, velvety pudding notes.

Crumbly cookie layers create a perfect contrast against the silky pudding filling.

Home bakers will adore how simple yet impressive these bars look when served.

Each slice promises a delectable combination of unexpected ingredients that surprise and delight.

Grab a plate and see why these bars will be the star of your next gathering.

Burst of Nutty Sweet Delight: Combine the rich, earthy flavor of pistachios with the classic sweetness of sugar cookies for a unique dessert experience that tantalizes your taste buds.
Super Quick Baking Bliss: Whip up these bars in under an hour with simple ingredients and easy mixing technique, perfect for busy home bakers who want a delicious treat without complex steps.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Sensation: Delivers a soft, chewy texture with a gorgeous green-tinted pudding swirl that makes these bars visually stunning and irresistibly tasty for kids and adults alike.
Versatile Party-Ready Treat: Great for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual weekend desserts that can be easily cut into neat squares and transported without falling apart.

Main Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The base for creating a soft and tender cookie bar foundation.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a delicate texture in the bars.
Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, moist cookie base.

Pudding and Flavor Ingredients:

Pistachio Pudding Mix: Brings vibrant green color and intense pistachio flavor to the bars.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds depth to the cookie's taste.

Binding and Leavening Ingredients:

Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookie bars.
Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, soft texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors in the recipe.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a gentle coat of cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides like little handles. This trick will help you lift out those delectable bars with zero stress.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base Mixture

Grab your mixing bowl and combine:

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Softened butter
Vanilla extract
Salt

Blend everything until the mixture looks smooth and creamy, almost like soft play dough. Use an electric mixer to make this process super quick and effortless.

Step 3: Press Dough Into Pan

Scoop the cookie dough into your prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom. Press firmly to create a solid, uniform layer that will become your amazing cookie foundation.

Step 4: Whip Up Pistachio Magic

In another bowl, mix:

Pistachio pudding mix
Butter
Eggs
Powdered sugar

Stir until the mixture transforms into a dreamy, pale green batter that looks absolutely irresistible.

Step 5: Layer Pistachio Goodness

Pour the pistachio mixture over your cookie base. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, making sure every inch gets covered with that nutty, sweet layer.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges turn golden and the center looks set but still slightly soft.

Step 7: Cool And Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use those handy parchment paper edges to lift the entire batch out. Slice into squares and get ready to enjoy a totally delicious treat!

Prep Like a Pro: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper for effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
Ingredient Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and eggs to ensure smooth, consistent cookie bar texture.
Customize Your Flavor Profile: Swap pistachio pudding mix with other flavors like vanilla or butterscotch for variety in your dessert.
Perfect Baking Technique: Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs for soft, chewy bars.
Storage Savvy: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer preservation.

Refrigerate: Store leftover bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
Cool Completely: Allow bars to reach room temperature before storing to maintain their soft texture and prevent condensation inside the container.
Freeze Option: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Reheating Tip: Warm chilled bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their fresh-baked softness and bring out the rich pistachio flavor.

Savor Sweet Wine Pairing: A chilled glass of moscato d'asti complements the delicate pistachio flavor, offering a light, sweet counterpoint to the rich cookie bars.
Match Creamy Dessert Companion: Serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean gelato, which adds a luxurious cold contrast to the warm, soft cookie texture.
Enhance Nutty Flavor Boost: Sprinkle additional chopped pistachios on top of the bars to intensify the nutty profile and provide a delightful crunchy element.
Brew Perfect Beverage Sidekick: Pair with a smooth, mild chai tea that echoes the warmth of the cookie and brings out the subtle pistachio undertones.

Nutty Green Delight: Swap pistachios with chopped almonds or hazelnuts, creating a different nutty profile while maintaining the vibrant green color and rich texture.
Matcha Magic Bars: Replace pistachio pudding mix with matcha powder for an earthy, Japanese-inspired green dessert that offers a subtle tea-like flavor and antioxidant boost.
Citrus Infusion Bars: Add lemon or orange zest to the cookie base, complementing the nutty pudding with bright, refreshing citrus notes that enhance the overall sweetness.
Chocolate Marble Swirl: Incorporate melted dark chocolate into half the batter, creating a beautiful marbled effect that adds depth and richness to the classic pudding cookie bars.

What makes these bars special?

The unique combination of classic sugar cookie base with creamy pistachio pudding creates a delightful dessert that blends familiar comfort with exciting flavor.

Can I use instant or homemade pudding mix?

Both instant and homemade pudding mixes work well, but instant pudding is quicker and more convenient for this recipe.

Is the pistachio flavor strong?

The pudding mix provides a subtle, nutty pistachio taste that’s not overwhelming, making it appealing to those who enjoy mild nutty notes in desserts.

Do I need any special baking skills to make these bars?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic baking techniques like mixing ingredients and spreading batter evenly in a pan.

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.