A delicious Pistachio pudding dessert with layers of crushed Sandies Cookies, cream cheese/cheesecake layer, pistachio pudding layer and topped with whipped cream!
We love layered desserts, especially for the holidays, and if you love them too be sure to check out our: white chocolate lasagna, peppermint chocolate delight and cookie delight.
Easy Pistachio Pudding Dessert
This next recipe is one my mom tried out long ago. It’s one we’ve made different variations of since I was little. The reason we keep making it is because it’s easy and so delicious!
If you love pistachio and Shortbread Cookies you will definitely love this recipe. It has so many delicious layers including a shortbread cookie crust, cream cheese layer, pistachio pudding layer, and a topping of whipped cream.
It’s a cool treat so it’s great for summer, but we love to enjoy this recipe all year long (it’s even great for Christmas with it’s green color). We’ve shared other similar recipes like this Lemon Lasagna and White Chocolate lasagna, so if you love today’s recipe you’ll also love these ones.
How to Make Pistachio Dessert
This recipe is quite simple and takes just 10-15 minutes to prep before you have to let it refrigerate for at least an hour.
Begin by smashing you shortbread cookies in a Ziploc bag until fine (you can even put these in a food processor if you want them super fine). Add melted butter to your bag with crumbs and mix around and then press into a 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes in the oven until golden. Let cool.
Beat cream cheese, sugar and whipped cream together until smooth. Pour an even layer over crushed cookie crust.
In another bowl, mix the milk and pudding mix together until thickened. Pour and spread over the cream cheese layer.
Spread your remaining cool whip or whipped cream over the top and refrigerate.
RECIPE TIPS + FAQ
TIP: Chill the dessert in the fridge as you are making the next layer. It helps each layer set before adding on the next.
What type of shortbread cookies did you use? I used Keebler sandies, but any shortbread cookie should work (even homemade ones). Golden Oreos or any other kind of cookie also work great. If you feel like your crust is too dry and crumbly add 1-2 more tablespoons of butter.
Why did my crust come out crumbly? I’m not quite sure why this happens for some and not others. Perhaps it’s the type of shortbread used. If you feel like your crust will be too dry and crumbly add 1-2 more tablespoons of butter.
Can I use skim milk? I recommend whole milk as it creates a creamy pudding mixture. However, you can use 2%, 1% or even skim.
Can you use other toppings? Of course! Here are some other great options:
- Toasted coconut
- Chopped pistachios
- Sprinkles
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts (we like to use pecans)
How to Store Pistachio Dessert + FAQ
How far in advance can I make this dessert? We typically do not make this more than 24 hours in advance just so it’s fresh. Also, I would definitely wait to add sprinkles or candies on top until right before serving so they don’t discolor the whipped cream on top. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until serving time.
How to store leftovers: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 2-3 days.
We really hope you enjoy this pistachio pudding cake. It’s been one of our go-to recipes in our home and we think you’ll love it just as much as we did.
For more layered desserts, check out:
Pistachio Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
- 13 oz shortbread cookies
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- 6.8 oz pistachio pudding mix
- 2 3/4 cup whole milk
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 16 oz whipped topping divided
- M&Ms
Instructions
- Smash shortbread cookies in a ziploc bag, till fine. Put crumbs in melted butter and press into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes in the oven until golden. Let cool.
- Smooth together cream cheese, sugar and 2 cups of your cool whip. Pour an even layer over crushed cookie crust.
- Mix the milk and pudding mix together till it thick. Pour over the cream cheese layer.
- Spread your remaining cool whip over the top and refrigerate.
These receipes look so yummy and easy, cant wait to try them.
We make this recipe all the time but our crust is different instead of cookies we use flour butter and chopped nuts. It’s my favorite dessert!!!!
We make our own shortbread for the crust for this type of dessert too. We also make several different flavor variations using the same method.
Can I use real whipped cream instead of cool whip?
The second layer of cool whip is just plain cool whip?
if you dont have shortbread cookies is it ok to use graham crackers instead?
Of course!! You could do your favorite crust 🙂 Hope that helps! Thank you!
I made this for christmas last year and got tons of compliments. My mother-in-law even asked for the recipe, and she turned around and made it for a church dinner.
I am so happy to hear that!! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe 🙂 I am glad it was a hit!
I added an EXTRA tablesPoon of butter to help the crumbs hold together before baking. I also drop the cream cheese layer gently over the crust in small piles and spread carefully. I then chilled for awhile before pouring over the pudding layer. Chill the pudding layer as well before the final layer of cool whip. This keeps the layers intact for a better looking dessert.
Thank you for sharing what you did 🙂 Sounds great!
I think it is very sweet and you can leave out the powdered duger.
Instead of the candy on top I put pieces of Pistachio on it.. It was awesome! My hubs loved it. Thank-you ?
Perfect! Glad he loved it! Thank you!