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The Best Homemade Pistachio Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist homemade pistachio cake made with real pistachios and topped with rich cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup pistachios finely ground
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.25 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs large
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 0.75 cup milk
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Cake pans
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
  2. Whisk together dry ingredients including ground pistachios.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture until combined.
  5. Divide batter into pans and bake 25–30 minutes.
  6. Cool completely before frosting.
  7. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  8. Frost cake, garnish with pistachios, and serve.

Notes

Use fresh pistachios for best flavor and color.