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Easy and delicious Pistachio Bread is especially sweet. The best part is it’s glazed and involves no yeast!!

Although it’s an uncommon flavor, we love pistachio around here! If you do too, try Pistachio Salad and our layered Pistachio Dessert.

Pistachio bread recipe on cooling rack.
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Pistachio Quick Bread

My husband loves Pistachios! His favorite pudding is pistachio. His favorite nuts are pistachios. If it has Pistachios, he LOVES it!!

Today’s bread recipe also includes pistachios—both a sweet pistachio flavor for the base, as well as crushed up pistachios on top.

We really can’t call this a bread since it’s more like a cake (a cake mix is used as a shortcut for this recipe). But for kicks and giggles, let’s call it bread since it’s made in a bread pan. 😉

Because of the green color of the bread, we actually like to serve this for St. Patrick’s Day, but trust me, it’s perfect for any holiday or time of year!

We have a feeling you will love this delicious sweet, quick bread.

Cinnamon and sugar sprinkled into the bottom of a bread pan.

how to make Pistachio Bread

MIX. In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, pistachio pudding mix, eggs, oil, water, and sour cream together until well combined. Set aside.

BAKE. Grease 2 regular size loaf pans and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar (I use 2 TB sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon) on the inside. Pour half the batter into each pan. Bake in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

GLAZE. Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 TB melted butter, 1 tsp. almond extract, and 1 tsp. vanilla to make a glaze. Add a few tablespoons of milk, until it’s the consistency that you like.

ENJOY! Drizzle glaze over bread and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Serve and enjoy!

Pistachio bread mix in bread pan

RECIPE TIPS

Of course we love this bread any day of the year, but it is especially fun to serve for Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day! Here are a few tips to make it extra special:

  • Add a few drops of green food coloring to the batter to make the bread even more green. Even the Grinch himself would approve!
  • Add some crushed up pistachios to the batter if you’d like for some extra crunch.
  • Loaves of this bread would make perfect gifts for friends and neighbors! Simply bake them in disposable foil pans, cover with plastic wrap when cooled and finish off with a festive bow.
  • Make mini-loaves of bread make sure to fill your pans no more than ½ way full and check on them every 5 min after 25 min of cooking. Insert a toothpick into the bread and if it comes out clean you are good to go.
Pistachio bread with frosting and chopped pistachios on top

FAQ

Can this bread be made ahead of time? Yes. This bread can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How to store? To store, make sure to cool the loaf first, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and cover with some aluminum foil or pop the wrapped bread into a Ziploc freezer bag.

How to freeze? To freeze, wait to add the glaze to the top of the bread after it has defrosted.

Pistachio bread recipe close up image

For more Quick bread recipes, check out:

4.99 from 719 votes

Pistachio Bread

By: Lil’ Luna
Topped with a vanilla glaze, our sweet pistachio bread is made simple with a cake mix shortcut and involves no yeast!
Servings: 2 loaves
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • 2 (3.4-ounce) boxes instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 4 eggs
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • cup water
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½-1 cup chopped pistachios

Glaze

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a large bowl, mix the dry cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, oil, water, and sour cream until well combined. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl mix the sugar and cinnamon. Grease 2 regular-size loaf pans and sprinkle the suagr mixture evenly on the bottom and sides of the pans.
  • Pour half the batter into each pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool.
  • Combine powdered sugar, melted butter, almond extract, and vanilla. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it's the consistency that you like.
  • Drizzle glaze over bread and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Store. Cool completely then store at room temperature, in an airtight container or bag, for 3-4 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days, or wrap with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1loaf, Calories: 2270kcal, Carbohydrates: 404g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 63g, Saturated Fat: 27g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 20g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 425mg, Sodium: 3217mg, Potassium: 710mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 309g, Vitamin A: 1674IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 681mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe adapted from HERE.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.99 from 719 votes (602 ratings without comment)

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370 Comments

  1. jen @ Tatertots & Jello says:

    Looks amazing!!

    xoxo

  2. Lisa @ Practically Perfect Home says:

    This recipe combines two of my favorite things…pistachio and bread! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe, and I’m pinning it now! ~Lisa

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thanks for pinning!! And thank you for stopping by. 🙂

      1. Earlene Dewinter says:

        Is there Seriously over 3500 mg of sodium per serving?

  3. Courtney @ A Diamond in the Stuff says:

    Oh Kristyn! I have to make this for my hubby! He LOVES pistachio pudding, muffins, etc! Can’t wait to surprise him….pinned it for later!!!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thanks, Courtney! Sounds like our husbands would get along. 😉

  4. Crystal says:

    Oh my, how delicious! I love pistachios too. Every year for Christmas, my uncle gives us two huge bags of pistachios with a bunch of other goodies. The bread looks amazing. So delicious. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Aren’t Pistachios SO yummy?! Let me know if you ever try the recipe – it’s great!

  5. Amy@theidearoom says:

    All those breads look so delicious! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Alexis @ Persia Lou says:

    Wowza! This looks so, so good. Pinning for sure.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thank you, Alexis!! 😀

  7. Mique says:

    I’m with Loren- pistachios are hands down my favorite. I choose pistachio ice cream too! Yum yum yum!!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Have you had the Blue Bell Pistachio Almond Ice Cream? It is SOOOO good!!

  8. Jennifer @TheRebelChick says:

    I LOVE pistachios but never thought about adding them to any recipes. We just pop em plain! I am definitely going to give this recipe a try! YUM!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Let me know if you ever try it out – it is delicious!!

      1. Maxine moates says:

        BATTER WAS VERY VERY THICK. I HOPE IT TURNS OUT WELL – IN OVEN NOW, BUT IT WAS SO THICK, I AM WORRIED. DID ANYONE ELSE HAVE SUCH A THICK BATTER. ALSO , MY EMAIL IS SUPPOSED TO BE ALL LOWER CASE, BUT it won’t let me do any lower case letters. The batter was soooo thick. I’m concerned, as I am serving this to prospective house buyers. I don’t want to be embarrassed. I used an electric mixer – was that ok? But I don’t think that would have made it so thick. Maxine Moates

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I am not sure why it was? How did it turn out?

  9. Ashton says:

    Ok Kristyn… I have to break some news to you. I think you might be a straight up dessert blogger. It’s time to ditch the rest of this stuff and let your inner dessert guru take over!! Because… are you kidding me?!?! This bread is INCREDIBLE! Seriously, every recipe you post is incredible and creative and genius! No lie girl… you’ve got some mad dessert skillz.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      LOL!! You crack me up, Ashton!! I do love desserts more than anything else… 😉