Description

A luxurious layer cake featuring the earthy richness of pistachios combined with the creamy texture of mascarpone, perfect for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar
Additional crushed pistachios for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
In a food processor, finely grind the shelled pistachios until they resemble a coarse flour.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Incorporate the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Gradually add the whole milk and vanilla extract, combining until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and ground pistachios.
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, blending until just combined.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
In a bowl, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a dash of vanilla until fluffy.
Layer the cooled cakes with mascarpone frosting in between, and frost the top and sides of the cake.
Garnish with crushed pistachios.

Notes

For nut allergies, consider substituting sunflower seeds. Use Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative to mascarpone, though the flavor will differ. To avoid a dense cake, measure flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 400
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: pistachio, mascarpone, layer cake, dessert, celebration, family recipe