Description
A rich, moist flourless pistachio cake made with real pistachios and buttermilk, topped with a silky pistachio cream cheese frosting. Perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave bold flavor.
Ingredients
Pistachio Cake
1¼ cups (175 g) raw, unsalted pistachios
2⅓ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (25 g) cornstarch
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup (105 g) vegetable oil
1⅔ cups (332 g) white granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
1 tsp white vinegar
1½ cups (336 g) buttermilk, room temperature
Few drops green food coloring (optional)
Pistachio Cream Cheese Frosting
1½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
1½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
½ cup (120 g) whipping cream
½ cup (112 g) cold cream cheese (not spreadable)
½ cup (70 g) pistachios, finely ground
Few drops green food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
2. Grind pistachios into fine crumbs using a food processor. Set aside.
3. Sift flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil, and sugar with a mixer for 2 minutes.
5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between additions. Add vanilla, almond extract, vinegar, and half of the buttermilk.
6. Fold in half of the dry ingredients, then the rest of the buttermilk, followed by the remaining dry mix.
7. Gently fold in crushed pistachios and food coloring. Do not overmix.
8. Divide batter between pans and bake for 40–45 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
9. Make frosting by beating butter, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and cream until fluffy (10 minutes).
10. Add cream cheese and pistachios. Mix until smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
11. Frost cake and garnish with crushed pistachios or berries.
Notes
Use gram measurements for accuracy.
You may toast pistachios for deeper flavor before grinding.
Let cake come to room temperature before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 95mg