There is something incredibly indulgent and utterly irresistible about the Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe. Imagine the perfect balance of buttery, chewy blondie base generously infused with nutty pistachio paste and rich white chocolate, finished off with a silky pistachio ganache that melts on your tongue. These blondies are an absolute showstopper for any occasion, whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply treat yourself to a slice of pure bliss. If you adore the combination of pistachios and white chocolate, this recipe is about to become your new favorite sweet obsession.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step toward nailing these luscious blondies. Each one plays a crucial role—from the creamy butter creating that perfect texture, to the pistachio paste delivering its signature flavor and vibrant color. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need for this delightful Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe:
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, 113g): Provides a rich, creamy base and tender crumb for the blondies.
- Chopped white chocolate (1 cup, 170g): Adds sweetness and beautiful creamy pockets in the batter.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup, 200g): Sweetens the batter and contributes to a chewy texture.
- Pistachio paste (½ cup): The star ingredient, delivering a deep nutty flavor and natural green tint.
- Large egg (1) and large egg yolks (2): These bind the ingredients and add richness.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups, 255g): Provides structure while keeping the blondies tender.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
- Additional white chocolate (¾ cup, 120g): For the silky ganache topping.
- Heavy cream (¼ cup, 60ml): Gives the ganache its luxuriously smooth texture.
- Extra pistachio paste (3 tbsp, 45g): Intensifies the pistachio flavor in the ganache for that wow factor.
How to Make Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF and preparing an 8×8-inch square pan. Greasing it well and lining with parchment paper is key to easy removal and clean edges—trust me, it makes life so much easier. Avoid glass pans as they tend to cook unevenly, which can affect your perfect bake.
Step 2: Melt Butter and White Chocolate Together
In a heat-proof bowl, combine the unsalted butter with the chopped white chocolate. Use gentle heat—either a microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently, or a double boiler setup—to melt them together. This step ensures a smooth, luscious base that’s essential for a fudgy texture.
Step 3: Whisk in Sugar and Pistachio Paste
Once melted, whisk in the granulated sugar to dissolve and blend the ingredients. Next, stir in the pistachio paste—it adds beautiful flavor and a lovely green hue. If you’re feeling festive, a drop of green food coloring can brighten things further, but it’s totally optional.
Step 4: Incorporate Eggs
Beat in your whole egg and egg yolks until the batter comes together smoothly. This enriches the mixture and helps the blondies stay moist and tender once baked.
Step 5: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Gently fold in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed or by hand to avoid overworking the batter. Overmixing can lead to tougher blondies, so a light touch here keeps them soft and chewy.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Set
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges and top look set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Keep an eye—the timing can vary slightly depending on your oven, and you want that perfect gooey center.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the blondies to cool down fully. This step is essential before applying the ganache so that it sets beautifully on top instead of melting right in.
Step 8: Make the Pistachio Ganache
In a small pan or microwave-safe bowl, combine the heavy cream and pistachio paste. Heat gently until it reaches around 175ºF or becomes very hot but not boiling. Pour this hot cream mixture through a fine strainer into the white chocolate to create a silky ganache, whisking until fully melted and smooth.
Step 9: Let Ganache Cool, Then Spread
Allow the ganache to cool and thicken at room temperature for about an hour, or pop it in the fridge, stirring every few minutes until slightly set. Once your blondies have cooled, spread this luscious ganache over the top and chill for at least 10 minutes to set.
Step 10: Slice and Serve
Once the ganache is nicely set, slice the blondies into 16 generous squares. Each piece is a delightful combination of chewy, nutty, and creamy with every bite—a true testament to this Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe’s magic.
How to Serve Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped pistachios or a dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant touch and amplifies the nutty aroma. For a pop of freshness, some finely chopped mint leaves scatter beautifully on top and complement the pistachio flavor perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these blondies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a complete dessert experience. A cup of aromatic coffee or a floral green tea can balance the richness flawlessly and elevate your serving occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the blondies stacked with a drizzle of extra pistachio ganache or white chocolate on top. Alternatively, cut them into small bite-sized squares on a dessert platter for parties. Wrapping individual pieces in parchment with a small ribbon also makes a charming edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover blondies stored in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to three days. To enjoy them at their best, allow them to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving so the ganache softens slightly and the flavors open up.
Freezing
You can freeze these blondies by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving to maintain that creamy, fudgy texture.
Reheating
Reheat a single piece in the microwave for about 10 seconds to warm it and make the ganache ooze delightfully without melting completely. Avoid overheating as it can affect the gooey consistency and delicate flavors.
FAQs
Can I make the pistachio paste from scratch?
Absolutely! If you have raw or roasted pistachios on hand, you can blend them with a little neutral oil until smooth, adding a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. Homemade pistachio paste tends to be fresher and packed with more natural oils, which can make your blondies even more flavorful.
Is it possible to substitute white chocolate with milk or dark chocolate?
While you can try, white chocolate pairs best here to maintain the blondies’ delicate sweetness and creamy flavor. Milk or dark chocolate will change the taste and texture considerably, making them less traditional and potentially overpowering the pistachio notes.
Can I use almond paste instead of pistachio paste?
Although almond paste has a lovely nutty flavor, it’s not a direct substitute in this recipe. The pistachio paste brings a unique sweetness and color that is central to the character of these blondies. Using almond paste will create a different taste experience but could be interesting if you want to experiment.
How important is it to use an 8×8 inch pan?
An 8×8 inch pan ensures the blondies have the perfect thickness for a chewy yet fully baked center. A larger pan will produce thinner blondies that bake faster and might dry out, while a smaller pan could lead to underbaked batter unless you adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend of equal weight that is suitable for cakes or cookies. Be mindful that the texture may vary slightly but the flavor combination of pistachio and white chocolate will remain deliciously intact.
Final Thoughts
There’s something genuinely magical about the Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe that makes every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re hosting friends or indulging on a cozy night in, these blondies promise comfort, elegance, and flavor in one perfect square. Give this recipe a go—you’ll be amazed at how this nutty, creamy delight quickly becomes your all-time favorite treat.
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Pistachio Blondies with White Chocolate and Pistachio Ganache Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus 40 minutes chilling
- Yield: 16 servings
Description
Delightfully rich and nutty pistachio blondies topped with a creamy pistachio white chocolate ganache. These blondies feature a buttery, tender crumb infused with pistachio paste and white chocolate, baked to golden perfection then topped with a smooth, luscious ganache for an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Blondie Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113g)
- 1 cup chopped white chocolate (170g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- ½ cup pistachio paste (store bought or homemade)
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (255g)
- ¼ tsp salt
Pistachio Ganache
- ¾ cup white chocolate (120g)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (60ml)
- 3 tbsp pistachio paste (45g)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease and line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, avoiding glass pans for more even baking.
- Melt butter and white chocolate: Combine the unsalted butter and chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Melt together either in 15-30 second microwave bursts stirring between or over a double boiler with simmering water, until fully melted and smooth.
- Add sugar and pistachio paste: Whisk in the granulated sugar until fully combined. Mix in the pistachio paste and optional green food coloring to achieve desired color.
- Incorporate eggs: Whisk in the whole egg and egg yolks until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and salt using low speed with a mixer or fold with a spatula, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Pour and smooth batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Continue baking if the toothpick has wet batter.
- Cool blondies: Remove from oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare pistachio ganache: Mix heavy cream and pistachio paste in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat until hot but not boiling (around 175ºF or very hot to touch).
- Combine ganache: Pour the hot cream mixture through a fine strainer into chopped white chocolate to remove any nut bits. Whisk continuously until the white chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth.
- Cool ganache: Let the ganache cool at room temperature for about 1 hour, or refrigerate stirring every 5 minutes to speed setting.
- Spread ganache on blondies: Pour and evenly spread the chilled ganache over the cooled blondies.
- Set ganache: Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes or let rest 40 minutes at room temperature until ganache is set.
- Slice and serve: Cut into 16 squares and serve. Enjoy your rich pistachio blondies topped with luscious ganache.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let come to room temperature by resting on the counter for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges.
- Do not use a glass pan as it bakes unevenly.
- You may add green food coloring to enhance pistachio color, optional.
- Check oven doneness with a toothpick to avoid under or over-baking.
- Store blondies refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.
- For homemade pistachio paste, blend shelled pistachios with a little oil until smooth.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
