This delightful recipe combines the velvety sweetness of vanilla pudding with the tart freshness of berries for a simple yet satisfying dessert. With a base of chocolate sandwich cookies and a touch of butter, these pie bars strike the perfect balance between crunchy and creamy. Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, each bite is a mouthful of bliss that is sure to impress your family and friends.
The ingredients required for this recipe are easily found in most supermarkets. However, be aware that the instant vanilla pudding mix might not be available in every store's baking aisle. Also, you can choose any kind of berries as per your liking, giving you the freedom to customize the taste of your pie bars.
Simple Berry Vanilla Pie Bar Ingredients
Chocolate sandwich cookies: These will form the crunchy base of our pie bars. Unsalted butter: Adding a touch of butter makes the cookie base richer and more flavorful. Instant vanilla pudding mix: This provides the creamy filling in our pie bars, coupled with the heavy cream. Heavy cream: Combined with the pudding mix, it forms a velvety smooth filling that complements the crust. Berries: Adding a tart and fresh contrast to the sweet filling. Vanilla ice cream: For serving with the pie bars.
One reader, Christye Heredia says:
This simple berry vanilla pie bar recipe is a game-changer! The combination of the chocolate cookie crust, creamy vanilla pudding, and fresh berries is absolutely divine. It's easy to make and tastes like a slice of heaven. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques Required for Making Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
Prepare the crust: Mix together the cookie crumbs and butter until fully incorporated. Press the crumbs into the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm.
Whip the pudding: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the pudding mix and heavy cream. Whip for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
Assemble the pie bars: Spread the whipped pudding over the crust and top with the berries.
Slice and serve: Cut the pie into 12 bars and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
How To Make Simple Berry Vanilla Pie Bar
Enjoy this simple and easy pie bar with sweet, sour, and tangy flavors from the berries on top of vanilla pudding and chunky chocolate crust.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 48chocolate sandwich cookies,crushed
- 12tbspunsalted butter,melted
- 5ozinstant vanilla pudding Mix
- 2½cupsheavy cream
- 1cupberries,fresh
- vanilla ice cream,for serving
Instructions
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, mix together the cookie crumbs and butter until fully incorporated.
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Pour the crumbs into the prepared baking sheet and press firmly in an even layer. Transfer to the refrigerator to firm for about 1 hour.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the pudding mix and heavy cream and whip for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Spread the pudding over the crust and top with the berries.
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Slice into 12 bars and serve with a scoop of ice cream. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 547.16kcal
- Fat: 39.16g
- Saturated Fat: 21.48g
- Trans Fat: 0.52g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.76g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.84g
- Carbohydrates: 48.23g
- Fiber: 1.69g
- Sugar: 33.12g
- Protein: 3.73g
- Cholesterol: 98.46mg
- Sodium: 376.98mg
- Calcium: 47.87mg
- Potassium: 163.83mg
- Iron: 5.88mg
- Vitamin A: 301.88µg
- Vitamin C: 1.49mg
Technique Tip for Perfect Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
When pressing the cookie crumbs and butter mixture into the baking sheet, use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to achieve a uniformly flat and firm crust. This will ensure that the crust holds together well when the pie bars are sliced.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the cookie crust and vanilla pudding filling the night before to save time on the day of serving.
Use store-bought: Consider using store-bought cookie crumbs or pre-made pudding mix to cut down on prep time.
Chill efficiently: Place the assembled pie bars in the freezer for a quicker setting time, allowing you to serve them sooner.
Organize ingredients: Before starting, ensure all ingredients and equipment are readily accessible to streamline the cooking process.
Multi-task: While the crust is chilling, whip the pudding filling to maximize efficiency in the kitchen.
Quick assembly: Opt for a simple arrangement of berries on top of the pie bars to expedite the assembly process.
Efficient slicing: Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean and swift cutting of the pie bars.
Streamlined serving: Serve the pie bars with pre-scooped vanilla ice cream to save time during plating.
Substitute Ingredients For Simple Berry Vanilla Pie Bar Recipe
chocolate sandwich cookies - Substitute with graham crackers: Graham crackers can provide a similar crunchy base for the pie bars and complement the berry and vanilla flavors well.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative and adds a subtle coconut flavor to the crust.
instant vanilla pudding mix - Substitute with vanilla custard: Vanilla custard can be used as a homemade alternative, providing a richer and creamier filling for the pie bars.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative, adding a hint of coconut flavor to the filling.
berries - Substitute with peaches: Peaches can be used as a delicious alternative to berries, providing a sweet and juicy filling for the pie bars.
vanilla ice cream - Substitute with coconut milk ice cream: Coconut milk ice cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative, adding a creamy and tropical twist to the dessert.
How to Beautifully Present Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
Elevate the crust: Create a delicate and precise cookie crust using high-quality chocolate sandwich cookies and unsalted butter to provide a rich and buttery base for the pie bars.
Whipped pudding perfection: Whip up a luscious and velvety vanilla pudding using instant vanilla pudding mix and heavy cream until it reaches a light and fluffy consistency, ensuring a luxurious texture for the pie bars.
Artful berry arrangement: Carefully place a variety of fresh berries on top of the whipped pudding, creating an artful and visually appealing display that showcases the vibrant colors and natural sweetness of the berries.
Garnish with finesse: Add a final touch of elegance by serving the pie bars with a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream, elevating the overall presentation and providing a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors.
Essential Tools for Making Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen tool used for chopping, slicing, pureeing, and mixing ingredients. It can be used to make cookie crusts, pie fillings, and various other culinary preparations.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is an essential kitchen tool used for combining ingredients, whisking, and stirring. It is commonly used for preparing the cookie crust and pudding filling for the pie bars.
Stand mixer: A stand mixer is a powerful kitchen appliance used for mixing, whipping, and beating ingredients. It is ideal for preparing the fluffy pudding filling for the pie bars.
Baking sheet: A baking sheet is a flat, metal pan used for baking and cooking. It is essential for shaping and chilling the cookie crust for the pie bars.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is a non-stick paper used for lining baking sheets and pans. It prevents the pie bars from sticking to the baking sheet and aids in easy cleanup.
Spatula: A spatula is a kitchen tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade used for spreading, smoothing, and lifting ingredients. It is useful for spreading the pudding filling and smoothing it over the cookie crust.
Knife: A knife is a sharp cutting tool used for slicing and cutting ingredients, such as slicing the pie bars into individual servings.
Serving plate: A serving plate is used for presenting and serving the finished pie bars. It is essential for a beautiful and appetizing presentation.
Ice cream scoop: An ice cream scoop is a utensil designed for scooping and serving ice cream. It is used to portion and serve vanilla ice cream alongside the pie bars for a delightful dessert experience.
How To Store and Freeze Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
- Once the berry vanilla pie bars have cooled completely, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the pie bars. wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. freeze for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, transfer the desired number of pie bars from the freezer to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. alternatively, you can thaw them at room temperature for about an hour.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, you can enjoy the pie bars straight from the freezer. they'll have a more ice cream-like consistency.
- For best quality, consume the thawed pie bars within 2-3 days. do not refreeze previously frozen bars.
Random Fact About Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
The recipe uses berries to add a burst of natural sweetness and a pop of color to the vanilla pie bars.
Is Making Berry Vanilla Pie Bars at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this simple berry vanilla pie bar recipe is quite high. The ingredients are relatively affordable and readily available, making it a budget-friendly option for a household. The use of simple and common ingredients like cookies, butter, pudding mix, and berries keeps the cost down. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15-$20, making it an economical choice for a delightful dessert. The overall verdict rating for this recipe would be 8/10, considering its affordability, ease of preparation, and delicious outcome.
Are Berry Vanilla Pie Bars Healthy or Unhealthy?
This berry vanilla pie bar recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The crust is made from 48 chocolate sandwich cookies, which are high in sugar, fat, and calories, and low in nutritional value.
- 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter are used to bind the crust, adding a significant amount of saturated fat to the recipe.
- The filling consists of instant vanilla pudding mix and heavy cream, both of which are high in calories and fat, with little to no nutritional benefits.
- The recipe is served with vanilla ice cream, further increasing the calorie and sugar content of the dessert.
While the berries do add some vitamins and antioxidants, they are not enough to counterbalance the overall unhealthy nature of the recipe.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the chocolate sandwich cookie crust with a whole grain or nut-based crust to increase fiber and nutrient content while reducing sugar and unhealthy fats.
- Use a reduced-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream in the filling to lower the calorie and fat content while maintaining a creamy texture.
- Prepare a homemade vanilla pudding using less sugar and healthier ingredients like skim milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
- Increase the amount of berries used to boost the vitamin and antioxidant content of the dessert.
- Serve the pie bars with a dollop of low-fat whipped cream or a scoop of frozen yogurt instead of vanilla ice cream to reduce the calorie and sugar content.
Editor's Thoughts on Berry Vanilla Pie Bars
This simple berry vanilla pie bar recipe is a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of chocolate cookies with the creamy vanilla pudding and fresh berries. The contrast of textures and flavors creates a harmonious balance, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. The addition of vanilla ice cream adds a luscious touch, elevating the overall experience. The recipe is easy to follow and yields delicious results, making it a great option for both novice and experienced bakers.
Enhance Your Simple Berry Vanilla Pie Bar Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Simple Berry Vanilla Pie Bar Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. The chocolate sandwich cookies create a rich and indulgent base, while the luscious vanilla pudding adds a creamy and comforting layer. The addition of berries brings a burst of freshness and a pop of color, elevating the overall experience. With the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, this recipe promises to satisfy any sweet tooth and impress guests with its beautiful presentation. Trust in the harmonious blend of ingredients and the simple yet elegant preparation for a delightful dessert experience.
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