Pistachio Cake with Pudding Mix
Pistachio lovers will adore this pistachio cake, topped with a cool and creamy pistachio frosting. Instant pudding mix creates the delightful green hue!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 package white cake mix
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup chopped pistachios
For the frosting:
- 1½ cups cold milk
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1 carton (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350¨F. Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, 1 package of pudding mix, soda, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in ½ cup chopped pistachios.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cool, place the milk and the remaining package of pudding mix in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Let sit for 5 minutes (the pudding will firm up a bit). Then, fold in the whipped topping.
- Spread the frosting on top of the cake. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to firm up slightly.
- Cut into slices and serve. Store any remaining cake in the refrigerator.
Notes
Make sure you are using instant pistachio pudding (not cook & serve).
Want an extra green cake? Add a few drops of green food coloring to the cake batter and/or the frosting. (I did not do this—the color that you see in the photos is from the pudding mix only.)
You can replace the pistachios with chopped walnuts, if you'd like.
The cake will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months.
You can make this into a layer cake by using two 9-inch cake pans. Bake the cakes for 20–25 minutes. You can also make it in a bundt pan (bake for 45–50 minutes).
A little history for you: there are several theories on why Pistachio Cake is called Watergate Cake. According to this history on Watergate Salad, one theory is that pistachio pudding mix debuted in June 1972, the same month as the Watergate break-in.
Another theory is that it's called Watergate Cake "because of all the nuts that are in it." LOL!
Nutrition
Calories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 463mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 124IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 1mg
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