Save Festive, chewy blondie bars infused with earthy matcha and crunchy pistachios, cut into tree shapes and decorated for a holiday treat.
This recipe has become a holiday favorite in my family, bringing together unique flavors and festive presentation that everyone loves.
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
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2:
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour matcha powder baking powder and salt.
- Step 3:
- In a large bowl combine melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla whisking until fully incorporated.
- Step 4:
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Stir in chopped pistachios.
- Step 5:
- 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.
- Step 6:
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Step 7:
- Lift out blondies using the parchment overhang. Cut into triangles to resemble Christmas trees.
- Step 8:
- 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.
- Step 9:
- Allow decorations to set before serving.
Save Our family gathers every year to decorate these bars turning baking into a joyful holiday tradition.
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 Matcha Pistachio Christmas Tree Blondie Bars offer a deliciously unique festive treat that’s sure to impress your guests.
Recipe FAQs
- → How is the matcha flavor balanced in these bars?
The earthy matcha powder is blended with the sweetness of brown sugar and vanilla, providing a balanced flavor without overpowering bitterness.
- → Can I substitute pistachios with other nuts?
Yes, pecans or almonds can be used instead of pistachios for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- → What is the best way to shape the bars into Christmas trees?
After cooling, cut the bars into triangles using a sharp knife and decorate with white chocolate drizzle and pretzel sticks to form tree trunks.
- → How do I make these bars gluten-free?
Replace the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free flour blend to maintain texture and taste.
- → What is the recommended baking time and temperature?
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 23–25 minutes until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- → How should the decorations be applied?
Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the cut bars, then add sprinkles and insert mini pretzel sticks at the base before allowing them to set.