Save Festive, chewy blondie bars infused with earthy matcha and crunchy pistachios, cut into tree shapes and decorated for a holiday treat.
I first served these at a family holiday party and everyone loved the festive tree shapes and delightful flavor combination.
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℉ (175℃). 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.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl combine melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla whisking until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Stir in chopped pistachios.
- Prepare to 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.
Save Making these blondies became a cherished holiday tradition in our family bringing joy and deliciousness to every gathering.
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
Save These festive blondie bars are perfect for holiday gifting or entertaining adding a unique twist to classic treats.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What makes the bars chewy?
The combination of melted butter and brown sugar creates a moist and chewy texture in the bars.
- → Can I substitute pistachios with other nuts?
Yes, pecans or almonds can be used instead of pistachios for a different crunch and flavor.
- → How do I achieve the vibrant green color?
Adding an extra 1/2 tablespoon of matcha powder intensifies the green hue while enhancing the earthy flavor.
- → What is the purpose of the pretzel sticks in decoration?
Pretzel sticks serve as festive tree trunks when inserted at the base of each blondie triangle.
- → Can these bars be made gluten-free?
Yes, substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend makes the bars gluten-free.