I love the color green and I love pistachios…pistachio ice cream, you name it. My former co-worker used to make a pistachio cake with pistachio ice cream that I loved. He used a cake mix and extended it. I love those kinds of recipes. When Amber asked me to join in on celebrating Jamie and her first baby, I knew I wanted to make cupcakes (because Jamie loves them!) and then I thought why not pistachio cupcakes. They are perfect for a baby shower (for a boy or a girl), for a birthday or even St. Patrick's Day. The green color isn't technicolor green, it's a subtle green color. The recipe for the cupcakes is from scratch and the pistachio flavor and color come from adding pistachio instant pudding mix to the cake batter.
I'm so excited to be a part of a group of bloggers who posted recipes today in honor of Jamie. She's expecting a little sweet pea, a little girl, her first baby soon! Make sure you hop around and check out the other recipes. Congratulations, Jamie!!!!!
Amber from Bluebonnets & Brownies | Lemon Strawberry Cupcakes
Julie from The Little Kitchen | Pistachio Pudding Cupcakes
Jen from My Kitchen Addiction | Sugar and Spice Cookies
Shaina from Food for My Family | Vanilla Raspberry Mini Meringue Kisses
Glory from Glorious Treats | Modern decorated cookies
Cheryl from TidyMom | Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream
Katie from Good Life {Eats} | Raspberry Hibiscus Soda
Aimee from SimpleBites | How to freeze a big batch of homemade waffles
Amanda from I am Baker | Heath Bar Cake
Steph from Steph Chows | PB oatmeal cookies
Allison from Some the Wiser | Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Megan from Stetted | Strawberry Jalapeno Palmiers
Shelly from Cookies & Cups | Bacon Cheddar Scones
Emily from Jelly Toast | Meyer Lemon Scones
Kristan from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen | Samoa Layer Cake
This recipe is a little different, once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients minus the whole milk, it looks like a cookie dough.
Then, add the milk and blend it for 30 to 60 seconds with your hand mixer or in your stand mixer and it becomes a super smooth cake batter.
I know you'll fall in love with these just like I have. I can't wait for you to try them! Cupcakes for everyone!
Recipe
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Pistachio Pudding Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3.4 ounce box of instant pistachio pudding
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Vanilla Buttercream
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup 1 stick salted butter, softened
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 2 pounds 1 bag powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons clear vanilla extract
- 3-4 Tablespoons whole milk, cold
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt and box of instant pudding. Whisk or mix together with a rubber spatula. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vegetable oil and vanilla extract and mix until well blended. While still mixing, add eggs in one at time until completely incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Add dry ingredients and incorporate with a rubber spatula until most of the dry ingredients are moistened. This step takes seconds and it's okay if there is unincorporated flour. Add milk and mix with hand mixer or in your stand mixer using the paddle attachment on the lowest speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix for another 20 to 30 seconds. The cake batter should be smooth except for the pistachios from the pudding.
- Fill cupcake liners with 1/4 cup of cake batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean. (If using a 3 Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out cupcakes, bake for about 16 to 18 minutes.)
Vanilla Buttercream
- In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer cream together butters and shortening until well blended. Add vanilla and mix well.
- Add powdered sugar in two batches, in halves or thirds and mix well at low speeds. Be sure to cover the stand mixer with a clean towel or it may go everywhere. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
- Add milk one tablespoon at a time and blend. Scrape down the sides of the bowl in between adding milk. Stop adding milk until you have reached the desired thickness. For thinner icing, add even more milk. Blend for 5 to 6 minutes. Store buttercream in the refrigerator when not in use.
- Use a decorator bag and tip to frost the cupcakes. If not frosting the cupcakes the same day, store them in a closed, airtight container and frost and serve them within 24 to 48 hours.
Note:
- You can use pure vanilla extract in your buttercream but you won't be able to get a bright white icing if you do.
Notes
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Mel says
I made these and used a pistachio whipped cream topping which is similar to the buttercream but you add powdered pistachio pudding to it as well. Delicious! The cupcakes were very moist.
Anna Demko says
These were perfect! I’m making them for my little girl’s first birthday And just made a trial run! I love the whipped cream frosting so that’s the way I’m going
Thank you for the great recipe
Tanya Wachtendonk says
Can you leave out the egg white or just use 3 while eggs? I don’t want to waste half the egg.
Patricia Miller says
I made these cupcakes over the weekend to bring to work and they sure didn’t last long! 🙂 They got rave reviews. I didn’t make the frosting, but made the cupcakes exactly as described and they were moist and absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Lynn says
I made these for my daughters wedding reception and they were a huge hit! I used a Whipped Almod Buttercream that really complemented the pistachio flavor.
Julie Deily says
Lynn, that’s great!! A whipped almond buttercream sounds amazing!! I want to make that…would you be willing to share the recipe?
PS Congratulations to your daughter! I would love to see photos of the cupcakes and the wedding! Did you share online or would you send me some? Thanks!! (julie at thelittlekitchen dot net is my email)
Sherilyn says
Hi there! Just a quick question. I’d like to make a 1/4 sheet cake out of your recipe. Would you recommend any changes and how long do you think I’ll need to bake it for? Please help! 😀
shreya says
can i use homemade pistachio pudding instead of the instant mix because it isnot available where i live.. and if yes how much am i supposed to use?
Linda Locke says
Hi Julie thank you for the beautiful recipe.I have substituted milk to buttermilk.It is moist & yummy. Will bake them again.
Julie Deily says
Hi Linda, that’s great to know!! Yay!
Kelly says
These cupcakes look delicious and creative!
zahra says
I made these and I added pistachio nuts and white chocolate chips into the batter and made a honey white chocolate ganache frosting. They were a hit with my co workers! Thanks for the recipe!
Juli says
was curious about how to adjust to add crushed pineapple to the batter?
Lauryn says
Hi, do you think these could just be muffins? Or are they too rich to be considered so?
Julie Deily says
Hi Lauryn, I think you can do any cupcakes with no frosting but not sure this would be considered a muffin though! Hope that helps!
Atticus Koizumi says
Did anybody make these cupcakes and they were delicious? I need them for a birthday and don’t want to risk it! Please let me know!
Julie Deily says
Hi there, I have made them 3 or 4 times now and they are indeed delicious!
Chantell says
I made these cupcakes…did not like them at all! They were very heavy and tasted like egg! I followed the recipe to a tee….sorry they are gross!
Julie Deily says
Hi Chantell,
What a bummer, I’m sorry to hear that. I can assure you these cupcakes are not gross when I make them…which has been several times or I would not have posted them. I’m sorry they didn’t turn out the way you expected. The only things I can think of is, could your eggs have gone bad (but have the wrong expiration date)? These definitely don’t taste eggy to me so I’m at a loss. Please feel free to email me to troubleshoot if you would like. Hope you have a nice night!
Christine Beyersdorf says
Num!!! I love pistachio too! Those look yummeriffic! Happy belated birthday by the way!
Berna Garcia says
Hi this is Berna!
Any substitute for the instant pistachio pudding? None of that here in the Philippines! How about the nuts? What can I prepare it as substitute?
Thanks!
Lauryn says
I love pistachio and this sounds perfect, for the instand pudding mix is Jell-o brand ok?
Suzanne says
What a beautiful shade of green! And I hear they taste great too. 🙂
Susan @ Flavors by Four says
I love anything pistachio. I know I will be making these.
Cupcake Daily Blog says
Absolutely lovely!! 😉
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
Absolute total perfection! Look at that swirl. You go, girl!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
I just had to come say..beautiful!! Just beautiful cupcakes and the flavor combination is perfect. can’t wait to try!!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
I love pistachio anything, but have yet to try it in cupcake form. Love this!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I’m not even the biggest cupcake fan, but you had me at pistachio. They look amazing!
Jenny Flake says
Julie, these sound like a dream cupcake! I wanna get my hands on these asap 🙂
Ditha says
Hi
Can I use just Powdered Pistachios instead of Pistachio pudding, not sure if we get that in UK….
the cupcake looks really scrumptious, will be a shame if I fcan’t try it…
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
So pretty, Julie, like a glimpse of spring on a grey January day.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
The color of these cupcakes is wonderful! I should make these for my birthday because I have a March birthday.
Tasha @thatssoyummy says
These look so pretty!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I’ve never had a pistachio cupcake before, that has to change! These look so good!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous cupcakes, love the pistachio and vanilla combo!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
I love pistachios even though I’ve never tried the pudding! The green color is gorgeous and anything from scratch is a plus in my book!
Terri C says
These look so good, love that they don’t use a cake mix. Will be trying these!
Tieghan says
I adore pistachios! These look delicious. What a greta combo!
Annie Elliott says
Where do you buy pistachio pudding? 🙂
Julie Deily says
Hi Annie,
I usually buy it in the spices and baking aisle. I used Jell-O brand instant pistachio pudding, it’s a box mix.
Stacy says
Is there anyway to use a cake mix from the box instead of all the other ingredients? If so, can you share the “semi-homemade” recipe? Thank you
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
I come from a family of serious pistachio pudding lovers, so we will definitely be creating this recipe in the very near future. Thanks so much for sharing in this very special day, Julie! You guys made my week!
Sommer @ASpicyPerspective says
These cupcakes look totally, completely scrumptious!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
These are so pretty, I love the colors 🙂
stephchows says
EEP! These are the seriously cutest things EVER!!! Beautiful photo and scrumptious!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These look so good! And totally perfect for Jamie!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
My boyfriend’s father is in LOVE with Pistachio cakes!! These look amazing! Pinned!
Shaina says
Oh my. Pistachio pudding is the best, and these sound so good.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I recently made pistachio cupcakes, and I have to say using pudding would’ve been alot easier than using real pistachios! They look great too cause they are more green.
Emily {Jelly Toast} says
These cupcakes are darling, Julie!! I love the touch of green and the little sprinkles – super sweet for a baby shower!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
I used to eat pistachio pudding at my grandpa’s house all the time, so it’s something I’m really nostalgic for — in cupcake form? EVEN BETTER. 🙂
Glory/ Glorious Treats says
Things I love… pretty cupcakes, pretty photos and you! =) Fun to have them all in one place! Gorgeous post!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Pistachios are my absolute favorite nut, so I’m alll over these!
katie says
These sound divine and perfect for a baby shower. Now you are making me rethink my cupcake choice for my shower! lol we had a family friend who use to make the most delicious pistachio cakes… reminds me of her just sweeter! 😉
Allison says
When I think of pistachios, I mostly just think of pudding. But these are a fantastic idea! My little one shares a birthday with St. Patrick’s day and I’m thinking these are a must try for her birthday menu this year. Delicious!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous…I am can only imagine how delicious they are! I have a friend who is obsessed with pistachio everything and I can’t wait to make these for her!!
natalie @ wee eats says
I always look at the pistachio pudding boxes at the store, but I never buy them because I feel like it would get old quickly. Incorporating it into a cupcake sounds like a WAY BETTER idea than shoveling a bunch of pistachio pudding into my face. I’m totally making these.
Amanda says
I have never had a pistachio cupcake, which is a crying shame because these look so beautiful and I bet would taste fantastic!! Gorgeous recipe Julie!!
marcie says
These are just the cutest things! Congrats to Jamie — I’m sure she would love these cupcakes. 🙂
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
I’ve been on a huge pistachio kick lately… Let’s not discuss the giant bag of pre-shelled pistachios in my pantry that I found at Sam’s Club that allows for easy snacking at any time of the day (or night).
It’s a great flavor for cupcakes, and perfect for a baby shower!
TidyMom says
Pistachio is the forgotten flavor…..I LOVE Pistachio and can’t wait to try these Julie!! They are so perfect for our little virtual baby shower today!!
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
I’ve only recently come around to the fabulousness that is pistachios. I don’t know what took me so long, but now they’re one of my favorite flavors. I could go for one of these cupcakes for breakfast! Thanks, Julie, for being part of the celebration of Jamie and Baby E. I’m so glad you could join us.