Description
This Pistachio Cake is incredibly moist, tender, and bursting with nutty flavor. Made with real pistachios and a soft, fluffy crumb, it’s an elegant yet easy dessert that’s perfect for holidays, celebrations, or anytime you’re craving something uniquely delicious.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shelled pistachios, finely ground
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
For the Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 tbsp milk or cream
Crushed pistachios for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, ground pistachios, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla and almond extract.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth the tops.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix in milk until fluffy and spreadable.
11. Frost the cooled cake layers and garnish with crushed pistachios.
Notes
For extra pistachio flavor, add a few drops of pistachio extract to the batter.
This cake pairs beautifully with raspberry or strawberry filling between the layers.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: pistachio cake, nutty cake, moist pistachio dessert, pistachio layer cake, easy pistachio recipe