Pistachio Christmas Ribbon Bars
Celebrate the holiday season with these Pistachio Christmas Ribbon Bars, a colorful and festive dessert that’s as delicious as it is eye-catching! Featuring a buttery shortbread crust layered with tangy cranberry preserves, creamy pistachio-infused filling, and a drizzle of sweet white chocolate, these bars are the ultimate treat for your holiday spread. The addition of vibrant green food coloring and crunchy pistachio garnish adds a cheerful seasonal flair, making them perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges or dessert platters. Easy to slice and serve, these bars combine festive flavors and textures in every bite. With simple steps and a stunning presentation, this recipe is bound to become a holiday favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.75 cup pistachios, shelled and finely chopped
- 0.75 cup cranberry preserves
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 0.75 cup powdered sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 drops green food coloring (optional)
- 4 ounces white chocolate, melted
- 0.25 cup additional chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang the sides for easy removal of the bars.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture, mixing at low speed until fully incorporated. The mixture will be crumbly.
Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use your fingers or the bottom of a flat cup to ensure the layer is firm and smooth.
Bake the shortbread crust for 15 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Let it cool slightly while preparing the next layer.
Spread the cranberry preserves evenly over the slightly cooled shortbread crust, creating a smooth layer.
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the almond extract and green food coloring (if desired), mixing until the color is evenly distributed.
Fold the finely chopped pistachios into the cream cheese mixture, and gently spread this pistachio layer over the cranberry preserves, being careful not to disrupt the layers.
Bake the assembled bars for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
Once chilled and firm, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of the bars. Garnish with additional chopped pistachios for a festive touch.
Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or rectangles, and serve!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
419 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.6 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.3 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 49 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 53 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.0 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.7 g | ||
| Protein | 5.4 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 45 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 161 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
