Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.

In a food processor, pulse together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the ingredients.

Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, making sure to cover the bottom and corners. Use the back of a spoon or a measuring cup to press it down firmly. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden. Let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

In the same food processor (no need to wash it!), grind 1 ½ cups of shelled pistachios into a fine powder. Be careful not to over-process, or they’ll turn into pistachio butter.

Add ¾ cup of granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ cup of heavy cream to the food processor. Blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Pour the filling over the baked crust, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Make sure it reaches all the corners and is smooth on top.

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. The edges should be lightly golden.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This is important—it allows the filling to set and makes the bars easier to slice.

Once the bars are completely cool, transfer the pan to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours. This helps the filling firm up and makes slicing easier.

When you’re ready to serve, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place them on a cutting board and slice into 16 squares using a sharp knife or a bench scraper.

For a beautiful finishing touch, sprinkle the bars with ¼ cup of chopped pistachios. Melt 2 tablespoons of white chocolate and drizzle it over the top.

Serve the bars cold, straight from the fridge. They’re perfect on their own or with a cup of coffee or tea.