Heavenly Pistachio Raspberry Cake Recipe
This Heavenly Pistachio Raspberry Cake is a delightful layered dessert combining the nutty flavor of finely ground pistachios with a luscious mascarpone cream and vibrant raspberry filling. Perfect for special occasions, it features a moist pistachio-infused cake base, a smooth cream layer, and a sweet-tart raspberry topping, garnished with roasted pistachios and whipped cream dots for an elegant finish.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cake
- 1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for a fragrant touch)
- Green food coloring (optional, for a vivid pistachio tone)
Raspberry Filling
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen raspberries
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Cream Filling & Garnish
- 1 ½ cups mascarpone or cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Chopped roasted pistachios (for garnish)
- Whipped cream or mascarpone dots (for garnish)
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Grind pistachios: Pulse the shelled pistachios in a food processor until they are finely ground, which will be incorporated into the cake batter for a nutty flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and the ground pistachios to combine evenly.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to aerate the batter for a tender crumb.
- Add eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter and ensure proper emulsification.
- Add extracts: Stir in the vanilla extract and optional almond extract for enhanced aroma and flavor complexity.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture alternately with the buttermilk into the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently to blend all components without overmixing.
- Add color: If desired, add green food coloring to the batter and mix until uniformly colored for a vivid pistachio appearance.
- Bake the cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cake layers: Remove the pans from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling the cake to avoid melting the filling layers.
- Prepare raspberry filling: In a small saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Make cream filling: Beat the mascarpone with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks, then gently fold it into the mascarpone mixture to create a light, airy filling.
- Assemble the cake: Slice each cooled cake layer evenly. Place one layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of the mascarpone cream filling over it.
- Add raspberry layer: Spoon the cooled raspberry filling evenly over the cream layer.
- Top with second cake layer: Place the second cake layer on top of the raspberry filling, pressing gently to sandwich the layers together.
- Decorate: Spread the remaining cream on top and decorate with piped dots of whipped cream or mascarpone and chopped roasted pistachios for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs ensures better emulsification and a smoother batter.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, make a substitute by adding 1 tsp vinegar to ½ cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Green food coloring is optional but adds a beautiful pistachio-green tint to the cake layers.
- For best results, chill the assembled cake for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- The raspberry filling can be made a day in advance and refrigerated.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the cake layers evenly without crumbling.
Keywords: pistachio cake, raspberry cake, layered cake, mascarpone cream, nut cake, fruity desserts, elegant cake recipe