
Pistachio desserts can be rather polarizing, but I personally love them. The subtle, nutty flavor paired with anything sweet and creamy… yum! So when I came across this recipe for French Pistachio Cake I knew it was a must try. I am pleased to report that it came out even more delicious than I anticipated. If you are a pistachio fan, then gather your ingredients asap, you’re gonna go nuts for this recipe (pun intended!).


This cake is light, fluffy, and perfectly sophisticated in that effortless French way. Instead of butter, the fat in this recipe comes from a generous two cups of whipped cream. It’s beaten until stiff peaks form, then gently folded into the batter for a seriously rich result. Swipe a taste of the batter and you might just think you’re tasting gelato.


And let’s not forget those pistachios. If you can find them, raw work is best here. If not, roasted pistachios will do, but avoid nuts that are salted. You’ll chop them up until they’re fine, but stop before they’re fully processed to a flour texture. We want some crunch here!


This French Pistachio Cake is proof that less really can be more. No frostings, no glazes—just simple ingredients coming together to make something beautiful. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or simply indulging in a sweet treat through the week, this cake is here to charm its way into your heart one bite at a time. Give it a try and I’m sure it will become a new favorite!

French Pistachio Cake
Yield(s): Serves 8-10
15m prep time
55m cook time
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup raw pistachios, finely chopped
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan or a 9-inch cake pan.
- Pour whipping cream into a large bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.
- In a small bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder until well combined.
- In another large bowl, beat egg, sugar, and vanilla for 2-3 minutes until light and airy.
- Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then gently fold in the pistachios and whipped cream. Do not overmix.
- Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes then remove from pan. Dust with powdered sugar and additional chopped pistachios if desired.
Recipe adapted from Theviewfromgreatisland.com











