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Pistachio Pudding Cake is a simple bundt cake to make any time of year. Made with a cake mix and pistachio pudding mix, this cake can be topped with a simple glaze or any number of frostings for a delicious crowd-pleasing dessert.
St. Patrick’s Day is one of those strange holidays that always sneaks up on me.
Even though I’ve been blogging for well over a decade at this point, I still get to the beginning of March before I remember that readers are going to be looking for St. Patrick’s Day recipes.
Once I finally remember that it’s around the corner, I usually try to put something together for you guys. Some years it’s savory recipes like Irish Soda Bread, while other years it’s desserts using Irish cream, such as Baileys Cheesecake.
This year, I decided to lean into the green theme with this super easy pistachio bundt cake.
WHAT IS PISTACHIO PUDDING CAKE?
Don’t be confused by the name “Pistachio Pudding Cake” – this recipe is 100% cake, not pudding!
So why does it have the word “pudding” in the name?
This recipe uses yellow cake mix combined with instant pistachio pudding mix as one of the dry ingredients. Adding the pudding mix helps keep the cake moist – just like with Chocolate Bundt Cake, Pistachio Pudding Linzer Cookies, and Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies – and adds great pistachio flavor throughout the cake.
The pudding mix also gives the cake a lovely green color, making it the perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat or seasonal spring dessert.
HOW TO MAKE PISTACHIO CAKE WITH CAKE MIX
Because this recipe is a spin on my Doctored Cake Mix recipe, it is super easy to make.
Tools You’ll Need
The equipment needed for this cake is all very standard to most kitchens:
- 10-cup or 12-cup bundt cake pan
- Nonstick cooking or baking spray
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Spatula
Ingredients You’ll Need
The pistachio cake uses a few special, but still basic, ingredients to take the cake mix to the next level and really make it taste homemade:
- 1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup water
- ½ cup roughly chopped pistachios, plus extra for garnish
Making this Recipe
To make your Pistachio Pudding Cake, combine all of the cake ingredients except for the chopped pistachios in your large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
After the batter comes together, fold in the chopped pistachios.
Pour the batter into the bundt cake pan sprayed with the nonstick spray. Bake the cake for about 45-50 minutes; you’ll know the cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
I like to let the cake cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before turning it out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. If the design of your bundt pan is especially intricate, you may need to let the cake cool for a bit longer before turning it out onto a wire rack.
Once the cake is completely cooled, you can glaze or frost the cake however you like.
HOW TO TOP THIS PISTACHIO BUNDT CAKE
My personal favorite way to finish this cake is with a simple glaze made from vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk. I sprinkle the top of the glazed cake with some chopped pistachios for some additional color, texture, and flavor.
But don’t let me stifle your imagination! This cake would be just as delicious topped with cream cheese frosting, a simple chocolate ganache, or – like with Whipping Cream Cake – even just a dusting of powdered sugar.
You could even pull out some thawed Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream and use those as a simple frosting!
STORAGE TIPS
Because of the pudding mix in the cake, Pistachio Pudding Cake is moist and delicious straight from the oven. It is almost better the next day, though!
Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
If you can’t eat all of the cake within a few days, you can freeze leftovers for longer-term storage.
Cut the cake into slices and wrap each slice in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to a month.
To enjoy, let the cake thaw on the counter for a couple of hours or unwrap it and pop it into the microwave for 30-60 seconds to thaw it and warm it through.
Whether you choose to make this Pistachio Pudding Cake for St. Patrick’s Day or on a random weeknight, this moist and delicious cake is sure to be a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Pistachio Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- 1 package yellow cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 package instant pistachio pudding mix 3.4 ounces
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup roughly chopped pistachios plus extra for garnish
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 10- or 12-cup bundt cake pan with baking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and water. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Fold in the chopped pistachios.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients. Drizzle over the cooled cake and top with additional chopped pistachios.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Lost my mon’s recipe, so I’m going to try this one and bake in a clover shaped baking pan for St. Patrick’s Day. I’m guessing to bake for about 25 minutes, dust with powdered sugar and sprinkle with green sugar crystals.
What would the time be if it was cupcakes instead?
Hi Esther – Most standard cupcakes bake in 18-22 minutes. Hope this helps!
Jamie
I Love, Love, this Pistachio Cake, I’ve made two cakes in 3 days, gone! Today I’m trying a variant using a Strawberry Cake Mix & Cream Cheese Pudding Mix… Otherwise staying true to the recipe… Can’t wait to try this variation… Also planned will be a similar Chocolate version… Think I’ll stay with a yellow cake mix and Chocolate pudding… Happy Baking
This cake is delicious and so simple to make. My dad and my husband both love it, they say I could sell it! It’s one of our new favorites. It’s great to take to parties and get togethers. Quick and easy. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Hello-
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving y our feedback. Have a great day and happy baking!
-Jamie
What type of pistachios do you use?! Salted, unsalted, roasted, raw?
Roasted and unsalted are best, but I’ve made it with salted in a pinch and it turned out fine. Hope this helps! Happy baking –
Jamie
Can I use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream? If so, will it change the flavour?
Hi Beverly – I haven’t tried this recipe with that substitution, so I can’t attest to the final result. It should bake up fine, but I don’t know if the flavor would change. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it worked out for you. Happy baking!
Jamie
I had my dad over for dinner a few weeks ago and made this for dessert, as his favorite flavor is pistachio and he loved it! It was absolutely delicious!! It was tender and moist and fluffy and yummy!! I am making it again right now! Thank you for such a wonderful recipe!!
So glad your dad enjoyed this recipe, Stacey! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback. Happy baking!
I made this cake yesterday. For my Nordic ware pan, I used Crisco to grease it and granulated sugar as you recommended, which worked great. The cake was soooo moist.
So glad you enjoyed the cake, Scott! Thanks for stopping by to share your feedback. Happy baking!
Jamie
Can I use a sheet pan instead, if possible how long should I bake and what temp?
Hello! I haven’t attempted this recipe with this adjustment, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how it turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
Can i sub any cake mix with matching pudding mix into this recipe?
Hi Mimi – You definitely could! I have used chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding, vanilla and vanilla, strawberry cake mix and vanilla pudding, lemon and lemon – there are lots of options. Enjoy and happy baking!
-Jamie