PISTACHIO CANDY BAR RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, beat butter and 2/3 cup powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in flour and baking powder. Stir in nuts. Press dough in bottom of pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. In another medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar on medium speed 1 minute or until creamy. Fold in vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of the whipped cream. Spread over baked crust. Refrigerate.
• In medium bowl, mix dry pudding mix and 1 cup milk as directed on package. Refrigerate 5 minutes. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Garnish with additional chopped nuts, if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Lightly coat a 13-by-9-inch rimmed baking sheet with oil. Line with parchment, allowing 2 inches to hang over the long sides. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, tilting pan to swirl and washing down sides with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Boil, without stirring, until mixture turns medium amber, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and stir in pistachios and salt. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet, and quickly spread evenly with an offset spatula. Let cool until just set but still soft, about 2 minutes. Using the parchment as handles, transfer warm praline to a cutting board. Immediately cut praline into bars of desired size using a serrated knife lightly coated with oil. Let cool completely.