Pistachio Shortbread Brownies

Did you grow up traveling? Did you learn what it meant to be a human in places both near and far? My niece and nephews leave for the Dominican Republic tomorrow…only one of the many international trips they’ve embarked upon. A few years ago, I went to Egypt and Jordan with their family, and the pleasure of riding a camel through Petra was only magnified as I watched the delight and wonder in my then 6-year-old niece’s eyes.

When Ryan and I have children, I hope we continue to travel like my sister’s family. This past year, we visited Maine, Colorado, and France. We’re hoping to visit Australia and Canada in 2013. Now this doesn’t mean that Ryan and I have ample amounts of money (because I assure you, we don’t) but it does mean that we prioritize travel. Because at least for me, the new and unfamiliar sparks creativity. And as a writer and a baker, I need all the creativity I can get.

Growing up, my grandmother would always make a batch of her famous brownies when we came to visit her or when she came to visit us. For that reason, chewy and moist brownies remind me of hitting the road (or flying through the air).  I think a bite of chocolate does wonders to soothe those unavoidable stresses and anxieties that sprout when you leave home behind. And because travel always brings about a level of discovery and change, I think that these brownies reflect the very best part of travel–the melding of what is familiar with that which is new.

If I could book a trip tomorrow, I’d like to explore Canada on rail. I would make a batch of these pistachios shortbread brownies, wrap them in parchment paper, and buy a few good books. As the train barreled across the largely virgin landscape, I’d savor the stimulation of all five senses. The sight and smell of nature left untouched. The sound of my husband sharing little known facts about Canadian history. The feel of movement–the wind moving through my hair. And the taste of these pistachio shortbread brownies. The nutty crunch of the green crust and the intense coat of moist and decadent chocolate. No doubt, it would be a trip worth remembering.

Pistachio Shortbread Brownies

*adapted from King Arthur Flour’s Pistachio Shortbread Recipe

1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
1 box (3.4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix, Jell-O preferred for best color
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup shelled, finely chopped pistachio nuts, optional

1-1/3 cups granulated sugar3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper (ideally, allow the paper to overhang on two opposing sides to facilitate removal).

2. In a a medium-sized bowl, beat together the butter, pistachio pudding mix, sugar, salt, and pistachio flavor, then beat in the flour. The mixture may seem a little dry at first; keep beating till it comes together. This is a stiff dough.

3. Press the dough into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with your fingers, or with a mini rolling pin.

4. Use a fork to prick the dough all over; this allows any steam to escape, and prevents the shortbread from bubbling as it bakes. Spread the chopped pistachios over the crust and press in lightly with your fingers. Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl stir together granulated sugar, 3/4 cup flour, the cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, melted butter, and vanilla; beat by hand until smooth. Stir in the 1/2 cup chocolate pieces. Carefully spread over warm shortbread crust in pan.

6. Return pan to oven and bake for an additional 40 minutes. Cool brownies in pan on a wire rack. Lift brownies out of pan by lifting up on parchment paper. Cut into bars. Makes 24 pistachio shortbread brownies.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

 

49 thoughts on “Pistachio Shortbread Brownies”

  1. natalie@thesweetslife

    my parents always took us on vacation growing up and i am so grateful for all of my travel experiences! since being married, ryan & i have traveled lots and hope to continue to do so with our future fam!

    love the unique combo of these brownie/bars!

  2. rita cooks italian

    This shortbread is fantastic: I love brownies and it’s nice to combine them with shortbread for a truly irresistable treat. Well done (even the colours combine very well!!). PS To be honest I find difficult to travel with my children (3 and 6 y). I love to see their excitment, but I miss my old free way to explore things.

  3. amy @ fearless homemaker

    I can totally relate – we would gladly put our money towards traveling, rather than trendy clothes, a fancy car, or even expensive meals out. You just get *so* much out of traveling – it’s such a joy! We currently have a beach trip planned for Florida in a few weeks, then an international trip over to Ireland planned for the spring – I can’t wait for either! =) And if I had a couple of these wonderful brownies with me? It would make those trips even greater. =) My husband loves pistachio so I’ll have to make these for him for his birthday in a few weeks!

  4. Wendy Irene

    I do hope you travel to Canada next year! I must suggest Vancouver (where we moved from) and Whistler. If you go to Vancouver Vij’s restaurant is a must. Such beautiful places! One day my husband and I would love to visit P.E.I. I hope you have a beautiful weekend, Monet. p.s. Brownies remind me of my Great Grandmother 🙂

  7. Catherine

    Another beautiful pistachio recipe I’ve come across today! A beautiful brownie…the combination of flavors is delicious. Blessings, Catherine xo

  9. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family

    I love to travel and dream about a variety of destinations (often too many to narrow down). But I think travel is wonderful and when you do it with children it does make it new and give a fresher perspective.
    But back to the baked goods…which are so pretty. I just love the green and brown.

  10. CCU

    I think that crackle top brownie with pistachios is a very very very smart idea 😀
    Looks gorgeous!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  11. Susan

    What a wonderful post! My father was a 30-year career Naval Officer, so we moved & traveled extensively. I moved to Atsugi, Japan, when I was just 5 years-old. In the 60s, they hadn’t seen many Americans in Japan, so my younger brother & I were mobbed everywhere we went by people who were fascinated by our blond hair & blue eyes. By the time I graduated from high school, I had attended 8 different schools, lived in 3 countries, and had spent over half of my life outside the U.S.

    I think it’s wonderful that your family places a priority on travel – especially for children. It helps us understand that not everyone is as blessed as we are – and truly expands our minds (and palates, as you mentioned!)

    What lovely memories of your grandmother. I’m sure my brother would love these!

    1. Monet Post author

      What a childhood! I’m sure you are who you are today because of all the places you saw and the people you met. Thank you for sharing!

  12. Brian @ A Thought For Food

    What a trip that would be! Eric and I enjoy traveling, though I think we prefer going out to restaurants even more, so sometimes we blow all our money at a single restaurant instead of on a whole vacation. But, the fact is, E and I could use a long vacation of nothingness, filled with drinks and food and beach time… and pistachio brownies.

  13. Donalyn

    These look so tempting Monet! I didn’t grow up in a traveling family, but we try to travel more now. It is nice to get out of your usual surroundings and find completely new places.

  14. Beth

    Jordan is one of my dream destinations – I can’t believe you’ve seen Petra! And Egypt is on my wish list too.

    If you make it to Canada, and travel through Toronto, be sure to let me know. I’ll give you a very friendly Canadian welcome!

  15. Patty

    Hi Monet! Love the pretty green layer in your pistachio shortbread brownies- it just pops from my computer screen;-)
    I didn’t travel much as a young person but I’ve got the travel bug now!
    Canada is a gorgeous place to visit, I would like to see more of it, rail is the perfect way to really get out and see the countryside-fairly relaxing too;-)
    Enjoy your weekend;-)

  16. Amy @ fragrantvanill

    These are beautiful Monet! I have never seen brownies like these, but the combination sounds wonderful! Pistachios make for such delicious desserts! Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)!

  17. Becky

    Monet,
    I didn’t grow uo in a traveling family, and really didn’t travel much, until I met my husband, Scott. There are many places that I have not visited yet, but would like to visit someday..

    I love the combination of chocolate and pistachio together. I used to make a Pistachio Chocolate swirl for cake, but haven’t made it years. Wish I had one of your brownies, now:)

    Have a great weekend!

  18. anthony stemke

    A great recipe here.
    A baker AND a writer, wow!
    You don’t need a lot of money to be rich like y’all. My spouse and I consider ourselfs rich because we have a great life together,money irrelevant. We go to garage sales for good prices etc.
    You have a great future in store (as well as a great first name).

  21. Lora @cakeduchess

    How lucky for you and Ryan to be able to do all these amazing trips together. Travel is a priority for us as a family and I can’t wait to hear about your next travels:)Lovely brownies, Monet. xx

  22. Julia (the roasted root)

    You’re such a fine lady! Brownies are my favorite dessert and pistachios are my favorite nut! Mix them together to make a unique treat and I wouldn’t be able to put these things away! This looks like such a fun a delicious dessert! Thanks for another great one, Monet!

  23. Sarah

    Reading about these brownies wrapped in parchment paper and envisioning eating them on a moving train with a stack of books immediately made me smile. I love everything about it. 🙂

  24. Jeannie

    Oh my! I love the first photo! It just hit me in the face and makes me want to jump into my screen and eat it up:P I too would love to try making this too!

  25. Baking Serendipity

    I love the pistachio layer in these! My parents took us to the beach each summer, but travel hasn’t been something we’ve done too much of otherwise. Living in Arizona gave my husband and I the chance to explore much of the west coast, and now that we’ve left we’re anxious to travel back to see friends!

  27. Andrea

    Monet, your Pistachio Shortbread Brownies have such a pretty layered look – I love the combination of tastes and colors – perfect for taking on the road. If your travels ever take you to Europe, please make sure to let me know, maybe you will get a chance to visit Germany and I will be able to let you know about a few wonderful places to visit while being on vacation here…

    P.S.: As I write this comment, there is a small pumpkin in my oven baking away so that I can use the purée later today to bake your “Pumpkin Biscuits” (I will let you know how they turn out – the recipe looks very promising!

  29. Emily @ Life on Food

    I have so many memories from our vacations. The getting there was always rough but we had so much fun once we arrived. I think traveling by train is fantastic. I cannot convince my husband. I think my childhood vacations would have been a lot smoother had we gone by train and not car.

  30. foodwanderings

    Wow have never seen brownies quite like these, Love the pistachio green with the chocolate. Operative word priorities, that is so true Monet, when it comes to traveling! 🙂 That is what we put first on out agenda though I must say we haven’t traveled as much as I wished to! 🙂

  32. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    I don’t think I had any brownies with pistachio! That’s so creative and not to mention the light green color add really cute factor… I love this. I love pistachio macarons, gelato… and I will love these for sure!

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