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Pistachio Bread First Image

Pistachio Lemon Cake


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 92 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delicious pistachio lemon cake topped with a sweet glaze and toasted pistachios.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¼ cup (160g) raw shelled pistachios, toasted + more for garnish
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar + more for top
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons (113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 3 large eggs (150g)
  • ⅓ cup (85g) buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (145g) whole-wheat flour
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons (6g) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (2g) ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 ¼ cups (140g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 325ºF with rack set in middle position. Line an 8½ × 4½-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.
  2. Process 1 ¼ cups (160g) pistachios, 1 cup (200g) sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a food processor until finely ground into a powder, but not a paste, about 1 ½ minutes; scraping down sides and bottom halfway through.
  3. Pulse 8 tablespoons butter into pistachio mixture (10 pulses), then process until the mixture is clumpy yet smooth and shiny, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl halfway through.
  4. Stream in 3 eggs (150g) and ⅓ cup (85g) buttermilk and blend to combine, 1 minute. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon almond extract; process to combine.
  5. Add 1 cup + 2 tbsp (145g) whole-wheat flour, 1 ¼ teaspoons (6g) baking powder, 1 teaspoon ginger, and ¼ teaspoon cardamom; process just until combined.
  6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle granulated sugar over top (1–2 tablespoons). Transfer to oven and bake until cake is tall, browned, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 65–72 minutes.
  7. Let cake cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes, then run a knife around cake and use parchment overhang to lift cake out of pan; transfer to cooling rack and cool completely.
  8. In a medium-small bowl, whisk together 1 ¼ cups (140g) confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
  9. Pour glaze over cooled cake, allowing it to drip down sides of cake, and sprinkle with chopped toasted pistachios. Let glaze set, then slice and serve.

Notes

  • The pistachios can be toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes for enhanced flavor.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 72 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg