Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe (Easy Cake Mix Dessert)

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This Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe is one of those classic dessert recipes that’s always a hit at potlucks, Easter dinners, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, or anytime you’re craving an easy homemade cake.

Made with cake mix and instant pistachio pudding, every bite is soft, moist, and packed with sweet pistachio flavor.

The fluffy pistachio whipped topping frosting makes it even more irresistible while keeping the recipe simple enough for beginner bakers.

If you’re looking for an easy pistachio dessert that comes together with minimal effort, this cake belongs on your baking list.

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Why You’ll Love This Pistachio Cake

Can be made ahead of time.
Starts with a boxed cake mix for easy prep.
Instant pistachio pudding adds flavor and moisture.
Light, fluffy texture every time.
Perfect for Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, spring parties, and family gatherings.
Easy enough for beginner bakers.

A square piece of pistachio pudding cake with white frosting and chopped pistachios sits on a plate. The rest of the cake, topped the same way, is in a glass baking dish behind it on a floral tablecloth.

How to make pistachio cake with pudding mix?

Preheat your oven and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix the white cake mix with one box of instant pistachio pudding, eggs, vegetable oil, and milk until smooth, adding green food coloring if desired.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake until done, then let the cake cool completely.
For the frosting, combine Cool Whip with the second box of pistachio pudding, adding a little milk if needed for a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Frost the cooled cake, chill before serving, and garnish with chopped pistachios and maraschino cherries.

Four-panel image showing steps of making pistachio pudding cake: mixing green batter, baked golden cake, spreading green whipped topping, and finished cake topped with chopped pistachios in a glass dish.

For an easy variation, bake the batter in a greased Bundt pan to make a beautiful Pistachio Bundt Cake, or divide the batter among cupcake liners and reduce the baking time for soft, fluffy Pistachio Cupcakes.

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A close-up of a moist pistachio pudding cake slice topped with thick white frosting and chopped pistachios, served on a light-colored plate with a floral design in the background.

Can I add pistachio pudding mix to pistachio cake mix?

Yes! Using pistachio pudding mix with pistachio cake mix creates an even richer pistachio flavor and an incredibly tender crumb. It’s a great option if you want a stronger pistachio taste than using yellow cake mix alone.

What happens when you add pudding mix to cake batter?

Adding instant pudding mix helps retain moisture, creates a softer crumb, and gives the cake a richer texture. It also helps the cake stay fresh longer while adding extra flavor.

Can I freeze pistachio cake?

Yes. Freeze the unfrosted cake tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.

A square slice of pistachio pudding cake with light green frosting and chopped pistachios on top is being lifted from a baking dish, revealing a soft, moist texture inside.

If you are looking for more green dessert recipes for St. Patrick’s Day, these pistachio desserts are perfect.

Wondering what you can make with pistachio instant pudding? You can make cake recipes, cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes, fluff salads, no-bake pies, and more!

Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix, 3.4 oz Box (Pack of 3) with Candy Freezer Mini Metal Spoons (Pistachio Flavor) – Shovel Spoons USA Pan Bakeware Rectangular Cake Baking Pan, 9 x 13 inch, Nonstick & Quick Release Coating, Aluminized Steel GUSTO ETNA Sicilian Chopped Pistachios, Raw Pistachios Crumbles 3.5 oz | Bronte-sourced crumbles for baking, cooking, ice cream, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches; Product of Sicily, Italy.

Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe

This easy Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe starts with cake mix and instant pistachio pudding for an incredibly moist, fluffy cake topped with a creamy pistachio frosting. It's a simple dessert that's perfect for holidays, potlucks, birthdays, or whenever you're craving an easy pistachio cake.

Print Pin Rate

Course: desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade Pistachio Pudding Cake, Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 35

Servings:

Author: momma lew

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients:

1 box White Cake Mix
1 box Pistachio Pudding Mix
3 Eggs
1 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Milk

Frosting Ingredients:

8 oz Cool Whip
1 box Pistachio Pudding
½ cup Milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F
Grease and line a 9" x 13" cake pan. Set aside.
Combine all of the cake ingredients together and beat for two minutes until completely smooth.
Fold the cake batter into the cake pan and smooth down evenly.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan.
Cool your cake completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, combine the Cool Whip and pudding mix until completely combined. Add the milk, as needed, until you achieve your desired frosting consistency.
Spread the frosting on the cooled cake and refrigerate your Pistachio Pudding Cake until ready to serve

Video

Notes

Because the frosting contains whipped topping, store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Pistachio Cake