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Pistachio Delight Dessert

Pistachio Delight

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Pistachio Delight is a surprising delicious, nostalgic and easy-to-make treat that offers a unique twist on dessert with layered flavors that blend beautifully.
Pistachio Delight Dessert

pistachio delight dessertDiscovering Pistachio Delight in the Mid-90s

Some time in the mid-1990s, I attended some kind of event that wasn’t particularly memorable in itself, except for one thing: the dessert. That dessert was Pistachio Delight, and even though I’m not a big fan of pistachios, this layered treasure won me over. It reminds me of my Caramel Pecan Pie, another dish that transforms a polarizing flavor (pecans, in that case) into something magical when paired with the right ingredients.

I initially found a version of the Pistachio Delight recipe in a magazine, but lost it during a move. Then about ten years ago, I tracked down a similar version online. It wasn’t quite right, but gave me the basis needed to start experimenting until I ended up with the dessert I remembered from decades ago. I still play around with the crust, using differing amounts of flours, crushed nuts, trying out crushed graham crackers, etc. They all turn out great. The base is essentially a shortbread crust, but you can customize it to your heart’s content.


Pistachio Desserts: A Bit of History

It’s worth noting that this dessert is not to be confused with Watergate Salad, a pistachio-flavored pudding and fruit mix that’s closer in spirit to something like Frog Eye Salad. The exact origins of Pistachio Delight aren’t definitively known, but pistachio pudding itself was introduced in the mid-1970s, around the same time Watergate Salad became popular. So, this layered dessert likely has roots from the same era.


Tips for Perfect Layers

The key to making Pistachio Delight is really just a little patience. It’s an easy recipe, but each layer needs time to cool and set before you add the next one. And yes, I’ve learned this the hard way! Impatience can lead to a dessert that’s tasty but not so picture-perfect. For instance, the photo I have here shows my version whipped up a bit too close to serving time. I’ll eventually remember to take better photos, but trust me, the taste more than makes up for any presentation issues. Even if you’re skeptical about pistachios, this dessert has a way of converting non-believers.


A Chocolate Twist

If you’re not into pistachios, no worries! There’s a sister recipe for this called Chocolate Delight. Simply swap out the pistachio pudding for chocolate and consider upgrading the crust to Oreo crumbs for an extra indulgent touch. I haven’t managed to snap a photo of my chocolate version yet, but it’s just as easy and just as delicious.


Pistachio Delight has stood the test of time and it’s worth a try—whether it’s a nod to nostalgia or your first time exploring pistachio desserts. We’d love to hear from you, if you’ve tried it or have any questions, just leave us a comment!

Pistachio Delight Dessert

Pistachio Delight

Amy @ owlcreek.ca
Pistachio Delight is a surprising delicious, nostalgic and easy-to-make treat that offers a unique twist on dessert with layered flavors that blend beautifully.
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 bars
Calories 339 kcal

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • cups all purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup pecans crushed

Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 8 oz cool whip
  • 3.4 oz instant pistachio pudding two packages - 6.8oz
  • 3 cups milk whole or 2%

Topping

  • 8 oz cool whip
  • 2 tbsp pistachios and/or pecans chopped, optional

Instructions
 

Crust - start 4+ hours before needed

  • Preheat oven to 350°f and lightly grease the bottom of a 9x13" baking pan.
  • Mix the 1½ cups all purpose flour, 1 cup pecans, and ¾ cup unsalted butter together. Add the crust mixture to greased pan and press down to form a firm, even crust.
  • Bake the crust for 20-30 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
  • Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes on the counter. Refrigerate the crust until completely cooled.

Cream Cheese Layer

  • Using the paddle attachment on the stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together the 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 8 oz cool whip.
  • When completely combined, evenly spread the mixture on top of the cooled crust.

Pistachio Pudding Layer

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the 3.4 oz instant pistachio pudding (2 boxes) with3 cups milk until it begins to thicken.
  • Spread the thickened pudding over the cream cheese layer evenly.
  • Cover and allow the dessert to chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Topping

  • Once the dessert has chilled for an hour, spread 8 oz cool whip over top of the pudding layer. If desired, top the cool whip with 2 tbsp pistachios and/or pecans
  • Allow the dessert to chill for another hour or until ready to serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 265mgPotassium: 162mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 622IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cool whip, cream cheese, crust, layers, pecan, pistachio, pudding, shortbread

Authentic Recipes

We guarantee that all of our recipes are authentic recipes; they're developed, cooked or prepared, and enjoyed in our home. We are not professional, or even mediocre, photographers, and occasionally create AI images when photos don't turn out. None of the recipes on this website are created or modified using AI, and they never will be.

Amy
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