If you’ve ever dreamed of a dessert that combines the crunch of baklava, the softness of a chocolate chip cookie, and the richness of brown butter, then this is the recipe for you! 😍

These cookie bars are packed with luxurious flavors and textures: nutty brown butter, melted chocolate chips, creamy pistachios, and a crunchy layer of kataifi (shredded phyllo dough).

Warning: once you take a bite, stopping at just one will be impossible! 🙈

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

If you’re a fan of gourmet desserts, these cookie bars will become your new favorite treat! Here’s why:

1. Brown Butter = Flavor Upgrade 🔥

Browning the butter enhances its nutty, caramel-like flavor, giving these bars an irresistible depth you won’t get with regular butter.

2. Pistachio + Kataifi = Middle Eastern Elegance 🌿

The pistachio cream and crispy kataifi layer add an authentic Middle Eastern twist, making these bars feel extra fancy!

3. Chocolate Chips for a Gooey Contrast 🍫

The sweet, melty chocolate chips perfectly balance the earthy pistachios and buttery cookie base.

4. Perfect for Any Occasion 🎉

Whether it’s a celebration, holiday, or a cozy weekend treat, these indulgent cookie bars will always impress!

Ingredients You’ll Need 🛒

Wet Ingredients:

🧈 1 cup salted butter (to be browned)

🍬 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
🍬 1/2 cup granulated sugar
🥚 1 large egg

🥛 1/4 cup heavy cream
🌿 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

🌾 2 cups all-purpose flour

🥄 1 tsp baking soda
🥄 1 tsp baking powder
🧂 1/2 tsp salt

Mix-ins & Fillings:

🍫 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
🥜 1 cup kataifi (shredded phyllo dough)
🥜 1/2 cup pistachio cream/butter

🥜 Chopped pistachios (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – Step by Step 🧑‍🍳

Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s walk through the process of making these irresistible cookie bars. Follow these detailed steps for the perfect texture and flavor!

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Equipment

1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Butter for an Incredible Flavor Boost

🔥 In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of salted butter over medium heat. Stir constantly.
🔥 Keep cooking until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes).
🔥 Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before using.

👉 Pro Tip: Brown butter adds a deep, caramel-like richness, making your cookie bars extra delicious!

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

🥄 In a mixing bowl, whisk together:

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Cooled brown butter

🥄 Add in 1 egg, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
🥄 Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

🥄 In another bowl, whisk together:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Step 5: Mix Everything Together

🌀 Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
🍫 Gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips for that gooey, melty goodness!

Step 6: Prepare the Pistachio-Kataifi Layer

🥜 In a separate pan, toast 1 cup of kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) with a little butter until golden brown.
🥜 Mix the toasted kataifi with 1/2 cup of pistachio cream until well blended.

Step 7: Assemble the Cookie Bars

1️⃣ Press half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
2️⃣ Spread the kataifi-pistachio mixture evenly over the dough.
3️⃣ Top with the remaining cookie dough, pressing gently to seal.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

⏳ Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
⏳ Let the bars cool completely before slicing.

🎉 Congratulations! Your Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are ready! 🎉

How to Serve and Present Your Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars 🍽️

These luxurious cookie bars are already a showstopper, but here are some creative ways to elevate their presentation and serving experience!

1. Classic and Simple: Straight from the Pan 🍪

Let the bars cool completely, then cut into squares or rectangles.
Serve on a plate with a sprinkle of chopped pistachios for extra crunch.

2. With Ice Cream for a Decadent Dessert 🍨

Warm a cookie bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Top with a scoop of vanilla, pistachio, or chocolate ice cream.
Drizzle with honey or melted chocolate for an extra treat!

3. Drizzled with Pistachio or Chocolate Sauce 🍫

Melt some pistachio cream or dark chocolate and drizzle it over the bars.

This makes them extra indulgent and visually stunning!

4. As a Fancy Afternoon Tea Treat ☕

Cut into mini squares and serve with a cup of coffee, tea, or Arabic-style cardamom coffee.
The rich, nutty flavors pair perfectly with hot drinks.

How to Store and Keep Your Cookie Bars Fresh 🏡

These cookie bars are so delicious, they probably won’t last long! But if you need to store them, here’s how:

Room Temperature (Best for Freshness)

📦 Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Refrigerator (Keeps Them Firmer)

🧊 If you prefer them slightly firmer, keep them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
🍪 Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.

Freezer (Long-Term Storage)

❄️ Freeze for up to 3 months!
📌 Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
🔥 To reheat: Microwave for 20-30 seconds, and they’ll taste freshly baked!

FAQs: Your Questions Answered ❓

Here are some common questions people might have about these cookie bars:

1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Yes! Just add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the recipe to make up for the difference.

2. What if I don’t have kataifi dough?

You can replace it with crushed phyllo pastry, crushed cornflakes, or even finely chopped nuts for crunch!

3. Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and they’ll turn out just as delicious.

🎉 Now you have everything you need to make, serve, and store your Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!

📌 Final Thought: These bars are an irresistible mix of flavors and textures—crispy, chewy, nutty, chocolatey, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for any occasion!

🔥 Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turned out! 🍪💚

Brown Butter Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars 🍪

Author: Rachel Mills

Total Time: 47 Min
Yield: 16 1x

Print Recipe

Description

These Brown Butter Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine rich and nutty flavors with a unique twist. Featuring a buttery brown butter cookie base, a luxurious pistachio filling made with toasted kataifi, and a decadent layer of silky chocolate ganache, these bars are an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the pan:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease an 8×8” baking pan with butter, then line with parchment paper. Set aside.

Brown the butter and make the cookie base:

Add the butter to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Allow to melt and slightly brown (~5 minutes), stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and immediately pour into a large bowl. Allow it to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Once the brown butter has cooled, add both sugars and whisk to combine. Then, add the egg and whisk well until combined and lighter in color.
Lastly add in the heavy cream and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and gently fold until fully incorporated.

Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly dispersed.
Scoop the dough into the prepared baking pan and spread out the top.
Bake at 350F for 22-27 minutes, until lightly golden. Then, remove from the oven and cool while you prepare the pistachio filling and ganache.

Prepare the pistachio filling:

In a large pan over medium heat, melt the 2 tbsp of butter and add the shredded kataifi. Toast the kataifi until golden and crispy, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool. Once cooled, add the pistachio cream and mix until well combined. Set aside.

Prepare the chocolate ganache:

Place the chocolate chips into a large bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to boil. Then, pour the hot heavy cream over the chocolate chips. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.

Assemble the cookie bars and chill:

Press the pistachio filling over the top of the cookie layer, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Then, pour the chocolate ganache over the pistachio layer, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the top with the chopped pistachios.

Place the cookie bars in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour before cutting into 16 bars and serving.
Enjoy!