This pistachio pudding dessert straddles the line between being pudding and a torte. The good news is that it makes no difference what you call it because it will be gone within minutes. Layered with pistachio pudding, sweet cream cheese, whipped topping and a pistachio crust, this elegantly tiered dessert seems far too decadent to be so easy to make.

Pistachios are a popular dessert nut in many parts of the world. This is largely due to their rich and complex flavor that brings a nutty, buttery savoriness to recipes. Additionally, because of their smooth texture and luxurious mouthfeel, pistachios are popular for creamy desserts like gelato or pudding. These small tree nuts also bring a pleasing color to recipes, imparting a light green hue synonymous with the nut itself. This pistachio pudding dessert layers that nutty indulgence with sweet and tangy cheesecake filling and creamy, velvety whipped topping. If you plan to bring this pistachio pudding dessert to an event, you might want to make a second batch to leave at home.

Ingredients for Pistachio Pudding Dessert

• Butter: Creamy, rich and real butter makes this dessert’s pistachio torte crust layer. Butter is a lush complement that enhances the natural flavor of the pistachios.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is combined with crushed pistachios and sugar to create this dessert’s dense, torte-like crust.
• Confectioner’s sugar: Commonly known as powdered sugar, this gives the pistachio torte sweetness. If you find that you’re out of confectioner’s sugar, you can easily make your own from granulated white sugar.
• Pistachios: The top-billed nut and primary flavor of this dessert. Choose unsalted, raw nuts that have a bright green or pale yellow hue for maximum freshness. While buying pre-shelled pistachios makes the prep work a lot quicker and more accessible, the nuts will stay fresher longer in their shells. Just make sure to remove the shells before adding them to the recipe.
• Cream cheese: Tangy, smooth, soft and rich cheese is the foundation of the first layer of this dessert. For the best flavor, choose a good quality cream cheese brand.
• Sour cream: Mixing equal parts sour cream and cream cheese will create smoother, lighter cream cheese while adding moisture and enhancing the flavor.
• Whipped topping: Often dairy-free, whipped topping is made from hydrogenated oils instead of heavy cream. The benefits of using whipped topping include better stability, more heat tolerance, and its ability to fold into and become incorporated with the cheese and sour cream. If you prefer an alternative to whipped topping, our experts have some suggestions. This pistachio torte recipe uses whipped topping as the final layer of the desert.
• Milk: Regular milk is used to make the instant pudding for the second layer of this dessert. Use whole milk for a richer and creamier flavor or a lower fat option if you’re hoping to shave some calories without much flavor loss.
• Instant pudding: Instant pistachio pudding creates a gorgeous light green, silky smooth and delightfully nutty layer in this dessert.

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