Name: Pistachio Cake
Prep time: 14 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 49 min
Yield: 15
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package yellow or white cake mix; 4 eggs; 1 cup of water; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 1 package instant pistachio pudding; 1/4 cup oil (I use vegetable); Optional: 4 drops green food coloring, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios. (The pudding makes it light green.); Frosting:; 1 - 8-ounce tub of whipped topping or heavy cream, sweetened and whipped; 1 box pistachio instant pudding; 1/2 cup cold milk

If you’ve been searching for a retro dessert that’s moist, fluffy, and bursting with pistachio flavor, this Pistachio Instant Pudding Cake is the one you'll be addicted to!

Starting with using a simple cake mix and a box of instant pistachio pudding, this recipe has been a family favorite since the 1970s, when pudding-mix cakes first became popular.

It’s topped with a light whipped topping mixed with creamy pistachio pudding frosting made from whipped topping and more instant pudding for a dessert that’s as dreamy as it is nostalgic.

Why You Will Love This Pistachio Cake

Simple ingredients – Just a cake mix, pudding, eggs, and a few pantry staples.
Moist and tender texture – The pudding mix locks in moisture, keeping the cake soft for days.
Nostalgic flavor – This dessert has that vintage '70s charm, reminding many of church potlucks and holiday dinners.
Eye-catching color – The natural green hue makes it perfect for spring, Easter, Christmas, or St. Patrick’s Day.
Crowd pleaser – Even people who don’t usually love pistachios fall in love with this cake!

frosted pistchio cake with pistachio chopped on top

Tips To Make Pistachio Cake

Use soda instead of water – Lemon-lime soda or club soda makes the cake extra light.
Try bundt style – Bake it in a bundt pan for a pretty presentation.
Add coconut or pineapple – Mix in crushed pineapple or shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Make it extra nutty – Sprinkle chopped pistachios or pecans on top of the frosting for crunch.
Chill before slicing – This cake tastes best after chilling for a few hours to let the flavors blend.
Substitute lemon soda for water or lemon-lime soda.
Add more nuts like pistachios or almonds
Don't overbake this
Do heavily grease whatever pan you're using
Add funfetti sprinkles to the batter to make a fun children's party cake!
Add a chocolate chip for a different pistachio and chocolate chip cake
Pistachio-Pineapple Cake (aka Watergate Cake): Add crushed pineapple to the batter and frosting for a fruity retro version.
Chocolate Pistachio Cake: Fold in mini chocolate chips or swirl with chocolate batter for a pistachio-chocolate combo.
Holiday Pistachio Cake: Add red maraschino cherries for a festive Christmas look.

collage how to make pistachio cake and frosting

Fun Recipe Facts

This Doctored Pistachio Pudding Cake dates back to the mid-1970s, when Kraft introduced pistachio instant pudding mix.

Around that time, “Watergate Salad” and “Watergate Cake” recipes took off, named after the popular history of a famous political scandal.

Since then, pistachio pudding cake has remained a beloved retro dessert that still finds its way to family social events and gatherings today.

cake mix pistachio cake and pistachio frosting

Final Thoughts on Pistachio Cake

As I mentioned, Pistachio Instant Pudding Cake with Whipped Topping Frosting is more than just a dessert—it’s a slice of history.

Light, fluffy, creamy, and slightly nutty, it’s the kind of recipe that gets passed down through generations, and the taste is an over-the-top flavor sensation.

Whether you serve it at a holiday dinner, gameday sports event, potluck, or just because, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles and second servings.

Pistachio Cake Pin for later

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American

Yield: 15

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Pistachio Cake

This Pistachio Instant Pudding Cake with Whipped Topping Frosting is more than just a dessert—it’s a slice of history. Light, fluffy, creamy, perfect!

Prep time: 14 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 49 Min

Ingredients

1 package yellow or white cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 package instant pistachio pudding
1/4 cup oil (I use vegetable)
Optional: 4 drops green food coloring, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios. (The pudding makes it light green.)
Frosting:
1 - 8-ounce tub of whipped topping or heavy cream, sweetened and whipped
1 box pistachio instant pudding
1/2 cup cold milk

Instructions

Place all in a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat for 3 minutes.
Pour into a 13 x 9 greased pan or bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees until the middle comes clean with a toothpick.
Around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the pan you use.
Frost or dust with powdered sugar.
Frosting:
Mix both pudding and milk until blended evenly, and fold thawed whipped topping or real whipped cream into the mixture.
Spread on cooled cake.
Refrigerate. I like to decorate the top of mine with whole pistachios and some chopped or shaved chocolate.

Notes

Tips To Make Pistachio Cake

Use soda instead of water – Lemon-lime soda or club soda makes the cake extra light.
Try bundt style – Bake it in a bundt pan for a pretty presentation.
Add coconut or pineapple – Mix in crushed pineapple or shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Make it extra nutty – Sprinkle chopped pistachios or pecans on top of the frosting for crunch.
Chill before slicing – This cake tastes best after chilling for a few hours to let the flavors blend.
Substitute lemon soda for water or lemon-lime soda.
Add more nuts like pistachios or almonds
Don't overbake this
Do heavily grease whatever pan you're using
Add funfetti sprinkles to the batter to make a fun children's party cake!
Add a chocolate chip for a different pistachio and chocolate chip cake
Pistachio-Pineapple Cake (aka Watergate Cake): Add crushed pineapple to the batter and frosting for a fruity retro version.
Chocolate Pistachio Cake: Fold in mini chocolate chips or swirl with chocolate batter for a pistachio-chocolate combo.
Holiday Pistachio Cake: Add red maraschino cherries for a festive Christmas look.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

251

Fat (grams)

8 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2 g

Carbs (grams)

43 g

Fiber (grams)

0 g

Net carbs

42 g

Sugar (grams)

28 g

Protein (grams)

3 g

Sodium (milligrams)

401 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

45 mg

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