Are you in the mood for a delicious and unique dessert that will impress your guests? Look no further than a lemon pistachio cake with cream cheese frosting. This recipe combines the tangy flavors of lemon with the rich, nutty taste of pistachios. The Bundt pan gives the cake a beautiful shape, making it a show-stopping dessert for any occasion. And the creamy and smooth cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch. With just a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can create this delectable dessert that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So, let’s get baking!
Why you will like this cake:
Ingredients you will need to make this lemon pistachio cake:
- Pistachios: Provide nutty richness, texture, and flavor, serving as the cake’s signature ingredient.
- Milk: Adds moisture and carries the pistachio flavor throughout the batter.
- Flour: Gives the cake structure and stability.
- Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises and achieves a light texture.
- Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavors.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: Impart bright, tangy citrus notes that contrast and complement the pistachios.
- Butter: Adds richness and creates a moist, tender crumb.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cake and balances the tartness of the lemon.
- Eggs: Provide moisture, structure, and help bind the ingredients.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Enhances flavor with subtle aromatic sweetness.
- Greek Yogurt: Contributes tanginess and ensures a moist, tender texture.
- Cream Cheese (for glaze): Adds creaminess and a tangy contrast to the cake.
- Powdered Sugar (for glaze): Sweetens and thickens the glaze for a smooth finish.
- Lemon Zest and Juice (for glaze): Infuse the glaze with bright citrus flavor to tie the elements together.
- Lemon Extract (for glaze): Intensifies the zesty lemon profile for a vibrant topping.
Storage Instructions:
- Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
- Before serving, allow the cake to come to room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.
This delightful cake is perfect for gatherings or as a special treat, offering a harmonious blend of citrus and nutty flavors.
Equipment
- Bundt pan
- mixer
Ingredients
Pistachio Milk:
- ½ cup shelled pistachios
- 1 ¼ cup milk
Cake:
Glaze:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Soak ½ cup of pistachios in 1 ¼ cup milk overnight.½ cup shelled pistachios, 1 ¼ cup milk
- Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour a bundt pan.
- Add 1 ¼ cups pistachios to a food processor and pulse until very fine, almost flour-like.1 ¼ cups shelled pistachios
- Whisk the flour, ground pistachios, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest in a bowl and set aside.2 ¾ cups flour, 2 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tbls lemon zest
- In an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, almost white about 4 minutes.1 cup butter, 2 ½ cups sugar
- Add the eggs, one at a time until incorporated. Add in the vanilla bean paste and lemon juice and mix until combined.6 eggs, 1 ½ tbls vanilla bean paste, 3 tbls freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Next, add the Greek yogurt and mix until completely combined.¾ cups plain Greek yogurt
- With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and pistachio milk until just incorporated.1 cup pistachio milk
- Pour batter into bundt pan (it will be very thick), and smooth out with a rubber spatula. Bang the pan on the counter a couple times to remove air bubbles.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until cake is no longer jiggly and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cake cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool for another 10 minutes (don't lift the pan off of the cake yet). Once it has cooled for 10 minutes, gently lift the pan off of the cake.
- To make the glaze, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice lemon zest and lemon extract in a medium bowl. Whisk until combined.8 oz cream cheese, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1 cup powdered sugar
- Pour glaze over the cake and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
Nutrition
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Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
This cake is amazing! Love all the flavors! Moist and tender! Definitely a pistachio lover’s dream!
Toni says
This is such a gorgeous cake!! Perfect combo!
Bruce and Dina Miller says
Toni,
We so appreciate that!
Dina and Bruce
Beth says
I love the crunchy pistachios on top. Such beautiful flavours.
Bruce and Dina Miller says
Thank you so much! Our sons fav!
Dina and Bruce
gunjan says
You have my two favorite flavors together in this cake and so I had to bake it. Came out excellent and enjoyed it for dessert last night. Mt family could stop raving about this 🙂
Bruce and Dina Miller says
Gunjan,
Y’all just made our day!
Dina and Bruce
Jen says
My family really enjoyed this cake!! It is SO good!
Bruce and Dina Miller says
Jen,
We so appreciate you saying that! Yay!
Dina and Bruce