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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. Deanna says:

    Thinking about making this for brunch for Easter- however I’m concerned with the nutrition facts posted. I’m thinking they can’t be correct. 1920 calories per serving??

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Those are for the full recipe. 🙂

      1. Carlee says:

        Verifying calories for the “full recipe” does that each loaf is half of 1920? Since it makes 2 loaves. Thanks!

      2. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yes, that’s correct.

  2. Gail says:

    Can you use mascarpone in this recipe

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I have never tried before. If you do, you’ll have to let us know how it turns out.

  3. Michelle Donaldson says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a keeper. Not overly sweet. Just right. Easy and delish!

  4. Christine Mirra says:

    5 stars
    Holy cow! I just made this but a bundt cake. O M Geeeee! Everyone loved it. Great recipe definitely a keeper.

  5. Clare Renner says:

    Sour cream: is this commercial sour cream or whipping cream that’s gone sour?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      It is commercial sour cream…. just the kind you get in a tub in the refrigerated dairy section at the grocery store.

  6. Maria Taylor says:

    5 stars
    This was fantastic!! Perfection

  7. CHRISTINE says:

    Hello
    Re: Your recipe for Pistachio Bread
    do I use 8 x 8 pans
    or
    9 x 5 pans

    Thank You

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You could use 9×5 or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 pans. Either would work!

  8. Fsmith says:

    5 stars
    I made this for st. Patrick’s Day! I was in a hurry, and had all these ingredients on hand! I didn’t even have time to make the glaze, and everyone loved it! I can’t wait to make it with the glaze next time! My 10, 12, 19 and 21 year old daughters plus my husband and my parents raved over it! Thank you thank you thank you! I’m definitely putting this one in my recipe book!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome!! I’m so glad to hear it was a hit. And ooh yeah, you’ll have to try the glaze on it. Takes it to the next level. 😉

  9. Phyllis says:

    5 stars
    Loved this recipe. It was a hit with everyone I shared it with.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that!

  10. Jennifer Lombardy says:

    5 stars
    Simply Amazing

    1. Carla Cimini says:

      My mix was extremely thick, it’s in the oven now!! Should it be thick????

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yes, the batter is very thick! Hopefully the bread turned out delicious!