White Chocolate Pistachio Cake Recipe
The White Chocolate Pistachio Cake is a luscious dessert combining creamy white chocolate with crunchy pistachios, delivering a moist and buttery crumb with a nutty, sweet flavor. Perfect for special occasions or cozy weekends, this cake balances sophistication and comfort with its aromatic vanilla, buttery richness, and vibrant pistachio bits.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted
Add-ins and Garnish
- 3/4 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- Additional chopped pistachios for garnish
- White chocolate shavings for garnish
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully integrate them. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Incorporate Melted White Chocolate: Stir the melted white chocolate into the wet ingredients carefully until completely combined, adding creamy sweetness.
- Alternate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Add the dry flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Pistachios: Gently fold the finely chopped pistachios into the batter for nutty texture throughout.
- Pour and Smooth Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is cooked through.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate the cooled cake with additional chopped pistachios and white chocolate shavings to enhance both appearance and flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality white chocolate with cocoa butter as the first ingredient for best flavor and texture.
- Lightly toast pistachios before chopping to enhance their flavor and aroma.
- Avoid overmixing once dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender and light.
- Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time to prevent overbaking and white chocolate browning.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- You can fold in raspberries, cranberries, or diced apricots for a fruity variation.
- Try white chocolate buttercream or mascarpone frosting for extra indulgence.
- Bake in muffin tins to create mini cakes for single servings.
Keywords: white chocolate pistachio cake, pistachio cake, white chocolate cake, nutty cake, moist cake, dessert recipe, baking recipe, elegant cake