Before we jump into all the sweet, nutty detailsâI just want to say thank you. If youâre here, that tells me you love sharing good food, spreading a little joy, and (letâs be real) maybe youâre looking for a new crowd-pleasing recipe thatâs just as fun to give as it is to eat. This Pistachio Bread checks every box.
Soft, moist, and irresistibly green, this loaf is everything you want in a holiday bake: easy to make, festive to look at, and freezer-friendly. Whether youâre baking for breakfast, gifting a treat to neighbors, or filling the cookie tray with something a little differentâthis recipe delivers.
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What Is Pistachio Bread?
Pistachio Bread is a sweet, moist quick bread flavored with instant pistachio pudding mix and boxed cake mixâmeaning zero stress, all flavor. Itâs a cheerful green loaf with a soft crumb and a hint of buttery nuttiness that makes it perfect for the holidays⊠or anytime you want a cozy, colorful slice with your coffee.
Why Youâll Fall in Love With This Recipe
- đ Festive and funâespecially with green coloring and sprinkles
- đ§ Ridiculously easyâboxed mix = foolproof baking
- đ„ Kid-friendlyâthe batter is bright green and fun to stir
- đ Perfect for giftingâwrap a loaf in cellophane and ribbon for the cutest edible present
- đ§ Freezer-friendlyâbake now, enjoy later (or give later!)
What Does It Taste Like?
The texture is similar to pound cakeâmoist and soft, with a tender crumb. The flavor is gently sweet with that subtle pistachio richness, a little buttery, and completely irresistible. If you love pistachio ice cream, this oneâs for you.
Ingredients List
This recipe makes two standard-size loaves, which is perfect because youâre going to want to keep one and give one away. Hereâs what youâll need:
- 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
- 3 (3.4 oz) boxes pistachio instant pudding mix
- 1 cup hot water
- œ cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs, at room temperature
- Πcup chopped pistachios
- 2â4 drops green food coloring, optional
- Red & green sprinkles, optional
Tools Youâll Need
- Two standard loaf pans
- Mixing bowl and whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Toothpick (for doneness testing)
- Cooling rack
- Plastic wrap or cellophane (for gifting or freezing)
Additions and Substitutions
- Swap chopped pistachios for walnuts or almonds if needed
- Add mini chocolate chips for a pistachio-chocolate twist
- Top with a vanilla glaze or dust with powdered sugar for extra flair
- Make it into mini loaves or muffins for gifting variety
How to Make Pistachio Bread (Step-by-Step)
đ° Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease two loaf pans with cooking spray or butter
đ„Ł Step 2: Mix the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Yellow cake mix
- Pistachio pudding mix (all 3 boxes)
- Hot water
- Oil
- Eggs
- Green food coloring (optional but makes it festive!)
- Whisk until smooth and evenly green
đ„ Step 3: Add the Nuts
- Fold in Πcup chopped pistachios
- Whisk another 1â2 minutes to evenly distribute
đ Step 4: Pour and Top
- Divide the batter evenly between both loaf pans
- Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles if desired
đ„ Step 5: Bake
- Bake for 40â45 minutes
- Check doneness with a toothpick (it should come out clean)
- Let cool for at least 15 minutes before removing from pans
What to Serve With Pistachio Bread
Itâs delightful all on its own, but here are some lovely pairings:
- A cup of hot coffee or chai â
- A scoop of vanilla or pistachio ice cream for dessert
- Whipped cream and fresh berries for a light touch
- Greek yogurt and honey for a sweet breakfast
Tips for the Best Pistachio Bread
- Donât overmix! Mix until smooth, but no longerâovermixing can make the bread dense.
- Use room temperature eggsâthey blend better into the batter.
- For extra moisture, add a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- Let cool fully before slicing for clean, pretty slices.
How to Store and Freeze
To Store:
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap
- Store at room temp for up to 4 days
- Or refrigerate for up to a week
To Freeze:
- Wrap cooled loaf in plastic wrap + foil
- Label and freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight at room temperature
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yellow cake mix gives the most neutral, sweet flavor, but white or French vanilla also work!
Can I make muffins with this batter?
Yes! Bake at 350°F for 18â22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Can I use fewer pudding packets?
Three is the magic number for flavor, color, and moisture. You can use two, but the texture will be slightly less dense and nutty.
Is this bread overly sweet?
Nope! Itâs pleasantly sweet but not cloyingâperfect for breakfast or dessert.
Final Thoughts
This Pistachio Bread is holiday magic in a loaf panâcheerful, easy, and bursting with sweet, nutty goodness. Whether you gift it or keep it, bake it fresh or freeze it for later, itâs guaranteed to make your season just a little brighter.
More Festive Recipes Youâll Love:
- đ [Cranberry Orange Loaf with Citrus Glaze]
- âïž [White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge]
- đ§ [Gingerbread Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting]
Spread the Holiday Cheer đ
Baked this Pistachio Bread? Iâd love to see it!
đž Share your green loaves with us on Pinterest or Instagram and tag me so we can celebrate your festive bake together.
âš Donât forget to subscribe for more easy, heartwarming recipes delivered to your inbox all season long!
Nutritional Info (Per Slice, Based on 1 Loaf = 8 Slices):
- Calories: ~280
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 36g
- Sugar: 22g
- Protein: 4g
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