Pistachio Cookie Bars

By srumbel

Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars with cream cheese frosting and chopped pistachios.
from creationsbykara.com

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 (3.4oz) boxes of instant pistachio pudding (just the dry mix)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• dash of salt
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup soft butter
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• dash of salt
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)

Details

Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

Cream butter, dry pudding mix, and sugar in a large mixing bowl till creamy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Press dough into the bottom of a greased 9x13" pan. Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes, or till lightly browned on the edges.

Cool completely, then frost. Garnish with chopped pistachios.

For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in a small mixing bowl till smooth. Add remaining ingredients and beat till smooth and creamy.

Spread frosting over cooled bars and sprinkle chopped pistachios on top.

Yield: 2 dozen