If you are searching for a nostalgic yet modern twist on dessert, the Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This cake blends the rich earthiness of pistachios with the deep, comforting flavor of chocolate, creating swirls of dreamy goodness in every slice. It’s a brilliant marriage of textures and colors—a soft, light green bundt cake with luscious chocolate ribbons—that has been lovingly reimagined for today’s gluten-free and dairy-free bakers. Whether you’re reminiscing about old family recipes or simply want to treat yourself to a unique dessert that dazzles the eyes and palate alike, this recipe fulfills that craving spectacularly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the right ingredients for this cake is surprisingly straightforward, but each one plays a vital role in the final masterpiece. From the gluten-free flour blend that ensures a tender crumb to the pistachio flour that delivers nutty richness, every item is a building block for flavor, texture, and that irresistible green hue.
- Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend: Provides the perfect gluten-free base that’s light and airy, ensuring your cake rises beautifully.
- Pistachio Flour: The heart of the pistachio flavor, giving the cake its signature nutty aroma and delicate texture.
- Cornstarch: Acts like cake flour, lightening the batter for a soft, tender crumb.
- Baking Powder: Important for leavening, helping the cake rise and stay fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all underlying flavors.
- Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes the crumb, complementing the nutty pistachios perfectly.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients while contributing structure and moisture—four large eggs are ideal.
- Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender without overwhelming flavors; extra light olive oil is a great choice.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to balance the nutty and chocolate notes.
- Almond Extract: Amplifies the pistachio essence with its complementary nutty aroma.
- Water: Hydrates the batter and helps blend the ingredients seamlessly.
- Green Gel Food Coloring (optional): Adds a gentle pop of color that highlights the pistachio’s natural green tones.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Mixed with water to form the chocolate swirl that creates beautiful contrast and rich flavor.
- Chocolate Chips, Plant-Based Cream & Corn Syrup: For luscious chocolate ganache and decoration.
- Chopped Pistachios: To finish the cake with a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Start by sifting together your gluten-free flour blend, pistachio flour, cornstarch, and baking powder several times. This ensures everything is evenly combined and aerated, leading to a lighter cake. The flour mix sets the stage for a superb texture and an even rise.
Step 2: Combine Sugar and Salt
Add sugar and salt to your sifted flour mix, then give everything a good whisk. This step helps distribute the sweetness and saltiness uniformly throughout the batter so no bite is overwhelmed or bland.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Incorporate the eggs, oil, vanilla extract, almond extract, and water into the bowl. Using a handheld mixer on low speed, start blending the ingredients for 30 seconds. If you’re adding green gel food coloring, do it now to achieve that perfect pistachio shade, then beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes to get a smooth batter with just the right consistency.
Step 4: Make the Chocolate Swirl
In a small bowl, whisk together unsweetened cocoa powder and water until a smooth chocolate sauce forms. Set aside the deliciously rich chocolate component that will contrast delightfully with the pistachio batter.
Step 5: Combine Chocolate and Pistachio Batter
Take about 1 ½ cups of your pistachio batter and mix it into the chocolate sauce to create a luscious chocolate batter. This ensures the chocolate flavor is fully infused and smooth for swirling.
Step 6: Layer and Swirl the Batters
Grease and flour your bundt pan thoroughly. Pour half of the pistachio batter into the pan, followed by half of the chocolate batter. Repeat the layering with the remaining batters. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the batters together just a little; this creates that iconic marbled look without blending them completely.
Step 7: Bake Your Bundt Cake
Bake the cake on the center rack of the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50 minutes. Test doneness by gently pressing the top of the cake—it should spring back—or with a thermometer reading above 200 degrees. Cooling the cake in the pan for fifteen minutes before removing helps prevent sticking and keeps its shape intact.
How to Serve Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Garnishes
After your cake has cooled completely, pour over a rich chocolate ganache made from allergen-free semi-sweet chocolate chips, plant-based cream, and a touch of corn syrup for shine and smoothness. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios to add crunch and visual elegance. The ganache softens and sets beautifully, creating a subtle glaze that complements the cake perfectly.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with fresh berries or a light whipped coconut cream. A cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold almond milk also works amazingly well, amplifying the cake’s nutty and chocolaty notes for a cozy treat any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning centerpiece, slice the cake and serve it on a pristine white platter with a dusting of powdered sugar and extra pistachios scattered artfully around. You could also plate individual slices with a drizzle of raspberry coulis or a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream to elevate this classic dessert into something special for celebrations or dinner parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your pistachio chocolate bundt cake is frosted and ready, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps the cake moist and fresh for up to four days—perfect for savoring over several treat-filled days.
Freezing
If you want to stock up, this cake freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and your cake will be almost as fresh as the day it was baked.
Reheating
For that just-baked warmth, gently microwave individual slices for about 10-15 seconds or warm the whole cake slice in a low oven wrapped loosely in foil. This softens the ganache and wakes up the pistachio and chocolate flavors delightfully.
FAQs
Does chocolate go well with pistachio?
Absolutely! The rich, slightly bitter taste of chocolate perfectly balances the subtly sweet, nutty flavor of pistachios. Together, they create a harmonious and indulgent combination that’s hard to resist.
What is pistachio cake made of?
Traditionally, pistachio cake includes pistachio nuts or pistachio flour mixed into the batter, along with standard cake ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and oil. This recipe uses gluten-free flour and homemade pistachio flour for a naturally nutty and flavorful cake.
How do you put ganache on a bundt cake?
After the cake is completely cooled, pour the ganache over the top, allowing it to drip naturally along the sides. The glossy ganache adds moistness and richness and acts as a wonderful canvas for decorative toppings like chopped nuts.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
Yes! This Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe is designed to be dairy-free by using plant-based cream in the ganache and avoiding any dairy ingredients in the batter. It’s perfect for those with allergies or dietary preferences.
Can I replace the green food coloring?
The green food coloring is optional and mainly for visual appeal. Without it, your cake will still have a beautiful natural pistachio color that’s slightly golden-green, so feel free to skip it if you prefer a dye-free dessert.
Final Thoughts
Making the Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe is like hugging your taste buds with a warm, nostalgic blanket while simultaneously discovering something fresh and exciting. The harmonious blend of pistachio and chocolate coupled with its beautiful marbled design makes it a showstopper dessert that’s truly irresistible. Trust me, once you bake this cake, it will become a beloved favorite you’ll want to share again and again!
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Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy a homemade gluten-free Pistachio Chocolate Bundt Cake, a nostalgic and delicious dessert inspired by a classic 1980s recipe. Made from scratch with gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients, this cake features a light green pistachio-flavored batter swirled with rich chocolate, topped with a smooth chocolate ganache and chopped pistachios. Perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave a comforting, old-fashioned cake with a modern twist.
Ingredients
For the Pistachio Cake
- 1 ⅔ Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mill recommended)
- ⅓ Cup Pistachio Flour (see note for homemade option)
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 ¼ Cup Sugar
- 4 Large Eggs
- ½ Cup Oil (extra light olive oil or any light cooking oil)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
- ¾ Cup Water
- Green Gel Food Coloring (optional)
For the Chocolate Swirl
- ½ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 7 Tablespoons Water
For the Decoration
- 1 Cup Allergen Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ Cup Plant-Based Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
- ½ Cup Pistachios, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-cup bundt pan thoroughly to ensure the cake will release easily after baking.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Combine the gluten free flour blend, pistachio flour, cornstarch, and baking powder in a large bowl. Sift these together multiple times until evenly mixed and aerated.
- Add Sugar and Salt: Add the sugar and salt to the sifted dry mixture and whisk thoroughly to combine all dry ingredients evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In the bowl with dry ingredients, add the eggs, oil, vanilla extract, almond extract, and water. Start mixing with a handheld mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.
- Add Food Coloring and Beat: If using green gel food coloring, add one drop now. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat the batter for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Prepare Chocolate Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and water until a smooth chocolate sauce forms.
- Create Chocolate Batter: Take 1 ½ cups of the pistachio cake batter and mix it with the chocolate sauce until fully combined into a chocolate cake batter.
- Layer Batters in Pan: Pour half of the pistachio batter into the prepared bundt pan, followed by half of the chocolate batter. Repeat layering with the remaining pistachio and chocolate batters.
- Swirl the Batter: Use a butter knife to gently swirl the pistachio and chocolate batters together, creating a marbled effect. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to release air bubbles.
- Bake: Place the bundt pan on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly pressed or an internal temperature of over 200°F (93°C) is reached.
- Cool Cake: Remove cake from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely.
- Prepare Ganache: Place the allergen-free semi-sweet chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl. Heat the plant-based cream in the microwave for about 1 minute until warm but not boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit 5 minutes to soften.
- Mix Ganache: Whisk the chocolate and cream until smooth. Stir in the corn syrup until well combined to create a glossy ganache.
- Decorate Cake: Pour the ganache over the cooled cake, spreading evenly. Immediately sprinkle the top with the chopped pistachios.
- Set Ganache: Allow the cake to rest for about 30 minutes at room temperature for the ganache to set. To speed up setting, refrigerate the cake.
Notes
- Pistachio Flour: If you don’t have pre-ground pistachio flour, grind shelled pistachios in a food processor or high-speed blender until fine. Sift to remove larger pieces for best texture.
- Chocolate Swirl Alternative: You can replace the cocoa powder and water mixture with ¾ cup chocolate syrup if you prefer a simpler method.
- Food Coloring: Green gel food coloring is optional. Without it, the cake will have a natural golden-green tint from the pistachios.
- Dairy Alternatives: Use plant-based cream for ganache to keep the recipe dairy-free. If you’re not dairy-free, heavy cream can be substituted.
- Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Corn-Free Option: Replace cornstarch in the cake batter with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch. Omit corn syrup in ganache if avoiding corn.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
