Pin Festive, chewy blondie bars infused with earthy matcha and crunchy pistachios, cut into tree shapes and decorated for a holiday treat.
This recipe quickly became a favorite at holiday gatherings and is always a 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
- 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.
- Combine wet ingredients:
- In a large bowl combine melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla whisking until fully incorporated.
- Fold in dry ingredients:
- 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 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 This recipe is a holiday tradition bringing everyone together to enjoy sweet festive treats.
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 Enjoy these delightful holiday treats fresh or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Recipe Q&A
- → What gives the bars their green color?
Matcha green tea powder provides the distinct earthy green hue, which can be intensified by adding a bit more matcha.
- → Can I substitute pistachios with other nuts?
Yes, pecans or almonds can be used as alternatives for a different nutty flavor and texture.
- → How do I achieve the tree shapes?
Once the bars are cooled, cut them into triangles and decorate with melted white chocolate and sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees.
- → Is there a gluten-free option available?
You can replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- → What is the texture of these bars?
The bars are chewy with a soft center, balanced by crunchy pistachio pieces throughout.
- → What are good drink pairings for these bars?
Green tea or a glass of milk complement the flavors and enhance the festive experience.