It was one of those slow Sunday afternoons when I first made pistachio lush. The warm hum of the oven, soft sunlight on my kitchen table, and that sweet, nutty aroma drifting through the house made it feel like a hug in dessert form. Pistachio lush is easy to love—and even easier to make. Its creamy layers, gentle crunch, and soft green hue bring a bit of joy to any table.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Pistachio Lush
Pistachio lush is a dreamy layered dessert. You start with a tender crust, then build layers of creamy filling and pistachio pudding, all topped with airy whipped cream.
It’s creamy and nutty with just the right crunch from the crust. This dessert is easy to prepare and perfect for making ahead. It chills beautifully, which makes it a wonderful choice when you want to prep in advance for gatherings or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients Overview
You’ll need a few everyday ingredients for this pistachio lush. A tender base starts with chocolate and flour. Creamy yogurt brings tang and richness, while cocoa powder deepens the flavor. Baking soda helps it rise gently.
You’ll whisk it all with your preferred milk. Then pistachio pudding mix creates that beautiful green layer. A final whipped topping makes it soft and fluffy. Optional chocolate chips add extra sweetness.
How to Make Pistachio Lush
Step 1 – Prepare the Crust
First, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Melt chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short bursts so it doesn’t seize. Stir until smooth and let it cool slightly.
Step 2 – Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In another bowl, whisk yogurt and your sweetener into the melted chocolate. Keep whisking until smooth and creamy.
This will form a rich, tangy base layer that complements the pistachio beautifully.
Step 3 – Mix the Pistachio Pudding Layer
In a large bowl, combine the chocolate mixture with flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and milk. Stir until just combined. The batter will feel thick, but that’s what gives it that fudgy texture later.
If you like, fold in chocolate chips for extra bites of sweetness.
Step 4 – Assemble and Chill
Pour the batter into your lined pan. Smooth the top gently.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Then lift it out carefully and cool completely on a rack. This step is important for clean slices later.
Step 5 – Add the Whipped Topping and Garnish
Once cool, spread whipped topping evenly across the surface. Sprinkle with crushed pistachios or chocolate chips for a final touch.
Chill for at least an hour so the layers can set together. The cool creaminess is worth the wait.
Tips for Best Results
You can swap out the crust if you like. Graham crackers or pecan sandies would work beautifully for a buttery, nutty base.
This dessert is make-ahead friendly. Store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, a week in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temp before serving.
Cool completely before slicing to get nice clean squares. A slight sinking in the middle is normal—don’t worry! Check doneness 5 minutes early to prevent dryness.
Careful when melting the chocolate—short bursts keep it smooth.
Pistachio Lush Recipe Card
Print
Pistachio Lush – Easy, Creamy Pistachio Dessert
- Total Time: 35-45 minutes
- Yield: 9 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy, creamy layered dessert with a nutty crust, pistachio pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. Make-ahead friendly and perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped chocolate pieces
1 cup non-dairy Greek yogurt
1/2 cup sweetener of choice (sugar-free, white or brown sugar)
3/4 cup regular or gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup preferred milk (like unsweetened almond milk)
1 cup optional chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line 8×8 inch pan with parchment.
2. Melt chocolate in microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stir until smooth, let cool slightly.
3. Add yogurt and sweetener to melted chocolate. Whisk until smooth.
4. In large bowl, combine chocolate mixture with flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and milk. Stir until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
6. Transfer batter to pan, smooth top.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on rack.
9. Spread whipped topping over cooled base.
10. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
Batter will be thicker due to Greek yogurt for fudgy texture.
Cool completely for clean slices.
Slight sinking in middle is normal due to lower sugar content.
Check doneness 5 minutes early to prevent dryness.
Carefully melt chocolate using short bursts to avoid grainy texture.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Related Recipes to Try
If you loved this pistachio lush, you might also enjoy my easy apple crisp recipe for cozy dessert inspiration.
For something seasonal, try my chewy pumpkin cookies for seasonal sweet treats.
Or indulge in French silk brownies for decadent layered desserts.
A perfect pairing would be my cheesecake brownies recipe to pair with pistachio lush.
Nutrition Information
Per serving: about 210 calories, 12g fat, 25g carbs, 4g protein. Light and satisfying!
FAQs
What is pistachio lush?
Pistachio lush is a creamy, layered dessert. It usually has a nutty crust, a smooth cream cheese layer, pistachio pudding, and a fluffy whipped topping. It’s chilled so all the layers come together perfectly.
Why is pistachio cake called watergate cake?
Watergate cake became popular in the 1970s. It’s made with pistachio pudding mix and topped with whipped cream and nuts. Some say the name was inspired by the Watergate scandal, as the cake has a lot of layers — just like the scandal’s twists and turns.
What is pistachio cream spread used for?
Pistachio cream spread is smooth, nutty, and sweet. You can spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt, or drizzle it over ice cream and pancakes. It’s a lovely way to add pistachio flavor to many dishes.
What is in pistachio fluff?
Pistachio fluff is a light, no-bake dessert salad. It usually includes pistachio pudding mix, whipped topping, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and sometimes chopped nuts. It’s sweet, creamy, and perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
Conclusion (Final Thoughts)
I hope this pistachio lush finds a happy spot on your table soon. It’s a simple, cozy dessert that feels extra special. If you try it, I’d love to hear your thoughts—please leave a comment or a review! For more inspiration, you can browse my collection on Pinterest.
