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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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Recipe Rating




370 Comments

  1. June says:

    Do you mix the ingredients for cake mix first and then add the rest of ingredients? Mine seems thick.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You mix the cake mix with all the other ingredients listed 🙂

    2. Kristy Wade says:

      I thought the same! It’s in the oven now and I’m praying it turns out as I plan on bringing to my in laws for St paddy’s celebration tonight 🙂

    3. Denise says:

      I just made it Also and it’s a thick batter so we shall see how it turns out

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Hope the bread turned out for you all! The batter is supposed to be pretty thick, so that was on the right track!

  2. Debbie Perzan says:

    5 stars
    This is so good. Made 2 the other day thinking it would be nice for St Patrick’s day. It didn’t last in my house. My sons love it. Made 2 more today and 2 more tomorrow to give away

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Woohoo!! Love to hear that! Thank you!

  3. Judy says:

    5 stars
    This bread is delicious! I made it using a Gluten Free yellow cake mix and two extra Tbs. of water. This is one of the best gluten free quick breads that I have made!! Thanks for the recipe

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You are so welcome! Thanks for sharing what you did!!

  4. Joan Rickords says:

    I have mine in the oven and hope they turn out. Not sure I did it right. Was I supposed to make the cake up according to package? I didn’t because it didn’t say that.

  5. Doris says:

    Going to make this today can’t wait to see how it comes out

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Hope you love it as much as we do!!

  6. Janie Raymis says:

    5 stars
    This is a very nice recipe. I will make it for gifts for work. Thank you.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I love giving it to people!! Hope they all like it!

  7. Kim says:

    5 stars
    I made this in a Bundt pan. I added 6-8 minutes to the baking time. It was delicious! Probably the most moist cake that I’ve ever eaten. I have another one in the oven right now for my son’s office.

  8. Barbara Knotts says:

    I am on Keto and I was wondering if I used Sugar Free Cake mix and Sugar free Pudding how many carbs would that be?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You definitely could. Though, I do not know that information. You would have to look on the nutrition facts on those boxes.

  9. Kate White says:

    5 stars
    So good! I literally can’t get enough 🥚🥛🍵🍞🫘

  10. Ariadna Urbaez Carrera says:

    5 stars
    Love this delicious dessert 🥰

    1. M. Diane Mayfield says:

      5 stars
      It is very pretty and tastes delicious but it did not rise so it is a flat looking bread. Disappointed in it because it is rather flat ~ I followed the recipe exactly.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Sorry to hear the recipe didn’t turn out for you. Thanks for giving it a try!