These Pistachio Cupcakes are made from scratch with 100% real pistachios, offering a soft and fluffy texture with an irresistible nutty flavor. Topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are a delightful treat for pistachio lovers. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan without compromising on flavor or texture.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Pistachio Cupcakes:

• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs (or egg replacer for vegan)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ¾ cup (92g) shelled pistachios (blended into a fine powder)
• 1 ¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup (180ml) milk (use almond milk for dairy-free)
• Green food coloring (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature (or dairy-free butter)
• 1 ⅓ cups (200g) cream cheese, room temperature (or dairy-free cream cheese)
• 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• Chopped pistachios for decoration (optional)
• Glittery sugar for decoration (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Pistachio Cupcakes:
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cavity cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
   Blitz the pistachios in a blender or food processor until a fine flour-like consistency is achieved. Set aside.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
   If using green food coloring, add one drop and mix until evenly combined.
   Add the flour, blended pistachios, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until combined.
   Pour in the milk and whisk until the batter is smooth.
   Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling them about ¾ full.
   Bake for 16-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
   Beat together butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer or with hand beaters on high until light and fluffy, about 5-10 minutes.
   Add the powdered sugar, salt, and almond extract and beat until smooth.
   Increase speed to high and continue to beat for an additional 5 minutes.

3. Assemble the Cupcakes:
   Once the cupcakes have cooled, fit a piping bag with a Wilton 2D piping tip and pipe the frosting onto each cupcake in a swirl motion.
   Top with chopped pistachios and glittery sugar if desired.

Nutrients (Per Serving – 1 Cupcake)

• Calories: 320
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 145mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 28g

Why Pistachio Cupcakes?

The addition of pistachios into a cupcake recipe is an unexpected but brilliant twist. Known for their delicate, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor, pistachios bring a new depth to cupcakes, adding complexity to an otherwise traditional treat. These nuts are a powerhouse of flavor, offering not only a delicious taste but also a great source of nutrients. Pistachios are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which makes this dessert a more wholesome choice compared to some other sugary treats.

Pistachio-flavored desserts are especially popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, where the nut is often paired with ingredients like rose water and honey. This cupcake recipe captures the nut’s natural flavors while offering a sweet and familiar dessert experience. Whether you’re preparing these cupcakes for a birthday celebration, a festive gathering, or simply to indulge in a delicious homemade dessert, they are sure to impress with their unique flavor and delicate texture.

Making Pistachio Cupcakes from Scratch

What makes these pistachio cupcakes truly special is the fact that they are made from scratch with 100% real pistachios. By grinding pistachios into a fine powder and incorporating them directly into the cupcake batter, you can fully embrace the nut’s flavor and enjoy its smooth, buttery texture in every bite. The use of pistachio flour (or finely ground pistachios) adds a natural richness and depth to the cupcakes, making them stand out from ordinary recipes.

The dry ingredients for this recipe include flour, baking powder, and a small amount of baking soda, which work together to create a light, fluffy texture. The wet ingredients are simple yet flavorful: a mixture of sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract forms the base of the batter. Almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor and provides a warm, aromatic note that complements the earthiness of the nuts. A splash of milk smoothens the batter and helps bind the ingredients together.

For those who want to add a little color to their cupcakes, a drop of green food coloring can be mixed into the batter, giving the cakes a vibrant, appealing hue that reflects their key ingredient. This addition makes the cupcakes even more eye-catching, especially when served at parties or gatherings.

The Creamy Frosting: Tangy and Decadent

A great cupcake is not only about the cake itself, but also about the frosting. These pistachio cupcakes are topped with a luscious, creamy cream cheese frosting that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. The richness of cream cheese helps to counterbalance the natural sweetness of the cake and adds a velvety texture that contrasts beautifully with the lightness of the cupcake.

Making the frosting is straightforward, requiring only a few ingredients: butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a hint of almond extract. The butter and cream cheese are beaten together until light and fluffy, and the powdered sugar is added to give the frosting its smooth and creamy consistency. A pinch of salt helps to enhance the sweetness, while the almond extract adds a subtle, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the pistachio cake.

Once the frosting is whipped to perfection, it is piped onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirl pattern, creating a professional and elegant look. For an extra decorative touch, chopped pistachios and glittery sugar can be sprinkled on top of the frosting, giving the cupcakes a festive flair.

Making the Recipe Versatile: Vegan, Dairy-Free, and Gluten-Free Options

One of the best aspects of this pistachio cupcake recipe is its versatility. With simple substitutions, you can easily adapt the recipe to suit different dietary needs without sacrificing flavor or texture.

For those who follow a vegan diet, the eggs can be replaced with a plant-based egg substitute, such as flax eggs or chia eggs. The butter in the frosting can be swapped with vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese can be used to achieve a similar creamy texture. As for the milk, almond milk, oat milk, or any other non-dairy milk can be substituted to make the recipe completely dairy-free.

For those who are gluten intolerant or following a gluten-free diet, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check that your pistachio flour or ground pistachios do not contain gluten, and you’ll have a gluten-free version of these delicious cupcakes. The result will still be a fluffy, moist cupcake with the same nutty richness.

Pistachio Cupcakes: Perfect for Any Occasion

Pistachio cupcakes are incredibly versatile and can be served at various occasions. Whether it’s a birthday, an afternoon tea, or a holiday gathering, these cupcakes bring an air of sophistication with their beautiful appearance and luxurious flavor. They are perfect for pistachio lovers but also offer a refreshing change for those looking for something different from the usual chocolate or vanilla treats.

The rich green color of the cupcakes, combined with the creamy frosting and delicate pistachio topping, makes them an impressive choice for any party or special event. The cupcakes can easily be dressed up or down with different toppings or served alongside other desserts for a well-rounded sweet spread.

Conclusion: A Delicious, Nutty Twist on a Classic Treat

In conclusion, pistachio cupcakes are a delightful dessert that combines the best of both worlds—traditional cupcake flavors with the added richness of pistachios. The soft, fluffy cake with its nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the creamy, tangy frosting, creating a balanced and indulgent treat. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or as an everyday indulgence, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit. With their ability to be adapted for various dietary needs, these cupcakes prove that you don’t have to compromise on flavor or texture to create a delicious dessert.

By incorporating real pistachios into both the cake and the frosting, you elevate a simple cupcake into a nutty, flavorful experience that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. So, if you’re looking to try something new or impress your friends and family with a sophisticated dessert, pistachio cupcakes are the way to go.