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Home » Eats & Drinks » Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe

Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe

Published on April 13, 2022 by Eden

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If you’re looking for an easy pistachio cake recipe, look no further! This cake is made with just 6 simple ingredients. It’s super flavorful and very moist! Truly one of the best pistachio pudding cake recipes that’s foolproof, and easy to make.

As much as we love a homemade cake recipe, it’s also fun to spruce up a box of cake mix and make an easy and absolutely delicious cake! This cake recipe has been one of our family favorites for years. It was passed down to us and has been made over and over again.

If you’re in a pinch and need an easy dessert recipe that will impress your guests, we highly recommend this cake.

easy pistachio bundt cake

Make this semi-homemade pistachio cake in a bundt pan, as a layer cake, or as a pistachio sheet cake. We top it with an instant pistachio pudding mix frosting and real pistachios.

Why We Love This Cake

Table of Contents

  • Why We Love This Cake
  • Ingredients in a Pistachio Pudding Cake
  • How to Make an Easy Pistachio Cake
    • Kitchen Tools
  • Tips for Making the Best Pistachio Cake
  • 5 Ways to Tell When a Cake is Done
  • How To Store Pistachio Cake
  • How to Freeze Pistachio Cake
  • Pistachio Cake Toppings
  • When to Serve a Pistachio Cake
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • What Makes a Bundt Cake Different?
  • What Does Club Soda Do in a Cake Recipe?
  • How Do You Enhance Pistachio Flavors?
  • What Flavors Go Well With Pistachio?
  • Can You Bake Pistachio Pudding Cake in a Different Kind of Pan?
  • What Else Can You Put In Pistachio Pudding Cake?
  • More Cake Recipes You’ll Love
  • Easy Pistachio Cake
    • Ingredients
      • Pistachio Cake Recipe
      • Pistachio Pudding Frosting
    • Instructions
      • Pistachio Pudding
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

We love the sweet, nutty flavor of pistachios. These super nuts aren’t just healthy, they also make a delicious addition to cakes and other desserts.

There’s no denying that boxed cakes are always super moist. When you add your own twist to them, they taste homemade and anyone can make them. No baking experience is required!

It’s the perfect cake for many occasions and can be served year-round.

Keep reading for the best way to spruce up a yellow cake mix and everything you need to know to make a pistachio cake!

yellow boxed cake, eggs, pistachio pudding, club soda and almond extract

Ingredients in a Pistachio Pudding Cake

Here are all of the ingredients in an easy pistachio cake:

The full recipe is in the recipe card below.

Yellow Box Cake Mix – A classic yellow boxed cake is perfect for this recipe. One great thing with a boxed cake is that it’s hard to mess it up! It makes this a really moist pistachio cake.

Pistachio Pudding Mix – This is a boxed pudding that gives the cake the pistachio flavoring. It also gives the cake a green color.

Soda Water – This acts as a leavening agent in this cake recipe. It helps the cake rise, even more, and adds moisture.

Eggs – Use large eggs when making this recipe. The eggs add structure and moisture to the recipe.

Vegetable Oil – This is what makes the cake super moist and fluffy. You can use vegetable oil or canola oil.

Almond Extract – Gives the cake a delicious nutty flavor and enhances the other flavors in the recipe too.

How to Make an Easy Pistachio Cake

Kitchen Tools

Before you start baking, here are some of the kitchen tools you’ll need:

  • Liquid Measuring Cup
  • Electric Mixer – We use our Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
  • Bundt Pan
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cake Stand
  • Spatula
liquid ingredients in a measuring cup.

Add the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.

In a liquid measuring cup add all of the liquid ingredients.

Then, with an electric mixer and paddle attachment, mix the ingredients on low speed.

green pistachio cake batter

Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

greased bundt pan

Spray a bundt pan or sheet pan with nonstick spray or butter.

pistachio cake in a bundt pan

Pour batter into the pan and bake.

Let the cake cool before frosting.

pistachio cake on a cake platter

Tips for Making the Best Pistachio Cake

  • Boxed vanilla cake, white cake, or yellow cake mixes can all be used for this recipe. We prefer yellow cake mix.
  • Use instant pudding for this recipe.
  • No need to add extra food coloring. The coloring comes from the pistachio pudding.
  • Make this cake in a bunt pan, sheet pan, or two 8×8 round pans. If you’re going to top it with powdered sugar, a bundt pan looks the prettiest. For an easy cake with a layer of fluffy frosting, we like a sheet pan and for a layered cake, cream cheese frosting looks beautiful.
  • Make this cake organic by using an organic boxed cake and all organic ingredients. The only ingredient that won’t be organic is the pistachio pudding mix.
  • If you don’t have almond extract, try using vanilla extract instead.

5 Ways to Tell When a Cake is Done

Now that you’re baking your cake, how do you know when it’s done and ready to eat? Look for these signs:

  • The cake pulls away at the sides of the pan.
  • It smells fragrant.
  • The top turns golden brown.
  • The toothpick or knife test is when you stick a toothpick or knife in the cake and if there are still crumbs, it needs to bake for longer.
  • Press on the cake and see if it springs back.
easy pistachio cake with pistachio pudding frosting

How To Store Pistachio Cake

Store this pistachio cake in an airtight container.

It can be stored covered at room temperature for up to three days. 

You can also refrigerate the cake for 5 days.

How to Freeze Pistachio Cake

Freeze the pistachio cake for up to 1 month by wrapping up individual slices and storing them in the freezer.

Remember that if you make a pistachio bundt cake with whipped cream frosting, you must make sure that we make the frosting with heavy cream, especially if we plan to freeze our pistachio cake.

It’s best to freeze the cake unfrosted and then add the frosting when you’re ready to serve. However, sometimes you’re freezing leftovers so you will need to freeze with the frosting.

Do defrost, let the cake sit in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours.

Pistachio Cake Toppings

There are several toppings you can add to pistachio cake! Here are a few of our favorites:

Powdered Sugar – Skip the frosting and dust the bundt cake with a layer of powdered sugar. It looks so pretty!

Whipped Cream – The light and fluffy texture of whipped cream go great with this cake. It’s less sweet than frosting and pairs perfectly.

Cream Cheese Frosting – This rich and creamy frosting goes wonderfully with this cake. The cream cheese is a nice touch to the pistachio flavoring.

Pistachio Pudding Frosting – We added a small amount of this frosting to the top of the cake. The color is really pretty and it adds more pistachio flavor.

Maraschino Cherries – If you’re making this for Christmas, these cherries will add beautiful red color to the cake.

Ground Pistachios – No matter what frosting you use, add some ground pistachios over the top for a festive look.

When to Serve a Pistachio Cake

This easy dessert recipe is perfect for many occasions and can be served year-round. The green color and nutty flavor make this cake perfect for these special occasions:

Christmas Brunch

St. Patrick’s Day

Easter Brunch

Tea Parties

Garden Parties

Birthday Parties

Baby and Bridal Showers

slice of green pistachio cake

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes a Bundt Cake Different?

The difference between a bundt cake and other types of cakes has much less to do with the ingredients and more to do with the shape of the pan itself. In other words, the cakes made in bundt cake pans must be moist because of the unique doughnut shape of the pan.

The shape of the pan causes a slice of bundt cake to have a more well-done texture on the outside, with a more soft and light inside.

pistachio cake slices on pink plates

What Does Club Soda Do in a Cake Recipe?

In the event we are in the middle of baking and realize that we’re out of baking soda, then we know that we have no need to rush to the grocery store. Instead, we use club soda as a leavening agent when we bake a cake recipe. 

How Do You Enhance Pistachio Flavors?

Almond extract enhances pistachio flavors in cake recipes. We also like to use vanilla extract to enhance the nutty flavors in pistachio cake recipes. 

What Flavors Go Well With Pistachio?

Citrus flavors like orange and lemon go well with pistachio flavors.

Likewise, cranberries and other tart berry flavors go well with pistachio flavors, like in our delicious and festive biscotti recipe with cranberry and pistachios.

Can You Bake Pistachio Pudding Cake in a Different Kind of Pan?

Yes, you can! When making this pistachio pudding cake, you have the choice to use either a regular cake pan or a bundt cake pan. Whatever you choose, remember to tweak the recipe to accommodate which type of pan as cooking times will vary.

What Else Can You Put In Pistachio Pudding Cake?

Along with cranberries, white chocolate chips also go well with pistachio pudding cake. They also make for a delicious addition to a pistachio bundt cake. 

Chopped maraschino cherries also work well and are a great addition to a Christmas cake.

green pistachio cake with green frosting and dried flowers

More Cake Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy this cake, try more of our favorite cake recipes!

Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake

Neapolitan Cake Recipe

Ice Cream Sundae Cake

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Classic Yellow Birthday Cake

Fluffy Gingerbread Cake

Let us know if you make this pistachio pudding cake recipe and leave a comment and review below!

You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties!

slice of green pistachio cake

Easy Pistachio Cake

If you’re looking for an easy pistachio cake recipe, look no further! This cake is made with just 6 simple ingredients. It’s super flavorful and very moist! Truly one of the best pistachio cake recipes that’s foolproof, and easy to make.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 195kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

Pistachio Cake Recipe

  • 1 boxed cake, yellow
  • 1 box pistachio pudding, instant, Jello brand works. 3.4 ounces.
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup club soda
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Pistachio Pudding Frosting

  • 1 box pistachio pudding, 3.4 ounces
  • 8 ounces heavy cream
  • 8 ounces milk
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Add the dry ingredients into a bowl.
    dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Add the liquid ingredients and mix
    liquid ingredients in a measuring cup.
  • Grease a bundt pan or a cake pan with butter or cooking spray.
    greased bundt pan
  • Pour the batter in a bundt pan.
  • Bake for 35 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.
    pistachio cake in a bundt pan
  • Let the cake cool before turning it over onto a cake platter.
    pistachio bundt pan

Pistachio Pudding

  • Add the ingredients into a mixer and mix on high until light and fluffy.

Notes

  • Boxed vanilla cake, white cake, or yellow cake mixes can all be used for this recipe. We prefer yellow cake mix.
  • Use instant pudding for this recipe.
  • No need to add extra food coloring. The coloring comes from the pistachio pudding.
  • Make this cake in a bunt pan, sheet pan, or two 8×8 round pans. If you’re going to do powdered sugar dusting a bundt pan looks the prettiest. For an easy cake with a layer of fluffy frosting, we like a sheet pan and for a layered cake, cream cheese frosting looks beautiful.
  • Make this cake organic by using an organic boxed cake and all organic ingredients. The only ingredient that won’t be organic is the pistachio pudding mix.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 299IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 1mg
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4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Leah says

    April 13, 2022 at 1:12 pm

    Beautiful cake! What is the magenta-colored topping you added to the pistachios?

    Reply
  2. Erin says

    April 13, 2022 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    So, so good! And easy too. I loved the flavor and texture. And I have to say your cake decorating skills are on point!

    Reply
  3. Agnes says

    April 13, 2022 at 9:56 am

    This cake looks amazing! I love pistachio flavored anything, so I definitely want to give this a try. Also, the way you decorated the cake is beautiful!! What flowers did you use?

    Reply
  4. Samantha says

    April 13, 2022 at 8:57 am

    5 stars
    This pistachio cake was super easy to make and it was a huge hit at our teacher appreciation luncheon. I even had a few requests for the recipe! Can’t wait to make it again for my own family.

    Reply

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