Description
Creamy lemon and pistachio cake brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dessert table, blending zesty citrus with nutty richness. Simple ingredients create an elegant treat perfect for afternoon tea or special celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil or sunflower oil
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 2/3 cup whipping cream
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup ground pistachios
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder (optional)
Flavoring and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare a square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, then incorporate granulated sugar and finely chopped pistachios.
- In a separate vessel, vigorously whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-blended.
- Gently introduce the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with minimal strokes to maintain a light texture and prevent overmixing.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula, and bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack, ensuring total temperature reduction before frosting.
- Whip cream cheese until fluffy, gradually adding powdered sugar, fresh lemon zest, and lemon extract to create a tangy, smooth frosting.
- Carefully spread the cream cheese frosting across the cooled cake’s surface, creating an even layer.
- Garnish the top with additional chopped pistachios, providing a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Toast pistachios lightly before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to ensure smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend, keeping the same measurement.
- Zest lemons directly into the sugar before mixing to release essential oils and intensify the citrus flavor throughout the cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 134 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg