Pistachio Icebox Cake

Hot summer days got you like WHOA? Try this no fuss, no muss Pistachio Icebox Cake!

Side image of pistachio ice box cake


 

This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries!

Icebox cakes are one of my favorite desserts. Easy to prepare and ideal for warm weather. These make-ahead cakes are sure to cool you off and coat your tongue with flavor.

A Pistachio Icebox Cake is one of my favorite icebox cake flavors. So pretty to look at and always a crowd pleaser, you just can’t go wrong with this easy dessert! Something about mint green is cooling to look at and taste.

This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries! #iceboxcake #pistachioiceboxcake #pistachiocake www.savoryexperiments.com

These frozen desserts can be made with a variety of ingredients including pre-made cakes, ice cream, fruit and my favorite, pudding! Creamy pudding freezes to a near ice cream texture but is lighter and fluffier.

This pistachio cake recipe utilizes vanilla and pistachio pudding, which comes with chopped pistachios built right in! But you can also add extra if you’d like. I throw in a few salted and shelled if you are really into pistachios like I am .

This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries! #iceboxcake #pistachioiceboxcake #pistachiocake www.savoryexperiments.com

The most time-consuming part of this cake used to be the easy graham cracker crust, which requires 4 ingredients and a quick bake, but I was short on time one day and realized it doesn’t need any baking.

Just shove it in the freezer to harden up a bit. If you don’t like having a crumbly crust, layer the bottom with whole graham crackers instead.

Otherwise, quick set pudding folded with whipped cream or whipped topping. Top your frozen slice of deliciousness with more whipped cream, chocolate sauce, chopped pistachios and maraschino cherries.

It is nearly too pretty to eat. A recipe for summer dessert perfection. Just look at those gorgeous layers!

This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries! #iceboxcake #pistachioiceboxcake #pistachiocake www.savoryexperiments.com

I eat a lot of pistachios, so while making this I started to ask my Google Home a few questions. Here are the answers, use them as table talk while you serve your delicious dessert or put them in your back pocket for Jeopardy answers.

Where do pistachios come from? Pistachios come from a pistachio tree which is part of the cashew family. Next to Iran, the US is the largest producer of pistachios. It is also one of the oldest flowering trees known to man dating back to prehistoric times.

I keep seeing those cute elephant pistachio commercials claiming the health benefits, but what exactly are the benefits of pistachios?  Health benefits of pistachios include lower calories than other common nuts and being rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. In addition to being a healthier nut option, they are flavorful and velvety, making them ideal for dessert recipes.

This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries! #iceboxcake #pistachioiceboxcake #pistachiocake www.savoryexperiments.com

Other fun pistachio facts: 

  • They are also known as the “green almond”, “smiling nut” and “happy nut”.
  • Pistachios are genetically related to mangos and sumac (spice).
  • The Queen of Sheba loved pistachios, so for a time they were known as the “royal nut” as well.
  • They have as much protein as an egg.

Bring this best icebox cake recipe to your next BBQ, potluck, or make it for a weekend dessert. It pairs great with anything from burgers to a fancy steak dinner!

Check out these other easy dessert recipes:

close up of chocolate lasagna slice

Chocolate Lasagna

An EASY chocolate layered dessert that is also no bake and utterly decadent and delicious! It's the BEST!
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Tiramisu Cups are an easy, make-ahead dessert recipes layering mascarpone custard with espresso soaked lady finger cookies and whipped cream. #easytiramisurecipe #tiramisucups www.savoryexperiments.com

Tiramisu Cup Recipe

Tiramisu Cups are an easy, make-ahead dessert recipes layering mascarpone custard with espresso soaked lady finger cookies and whipped cream.
See The Recipe!
no bake strawberry cake using pound cake

No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Cake

No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Cake combines layers of pound cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream topped with macerated strawberries. It can be made ahead and is perfect for parties!
See The Recipe!
Pistachio Ice Box Cake for Pinterest

Tools for making Pistachio Icebox Cake:

8×8 Baking Dish– Use it for marinating and baking, it is a kitchen essential!

Mixing Bowls– make sure to check out my article on Using the Right Mixing Bowl, you’d be surprised how many people aren’t!

Slice of ice box cake
This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries! #iceboxcake #pistachioiceboxcake #pistachiocake www.savoryexperiments.com

Pistachio Icebox Cake

4.77 from 13 votes
This no-bake cake is layered with graham crackers, vanilla and pistachio pudding and topped with chopped pistachios, chocolate sauce and cherries!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line a 8×8 baking dish with aluminum foil. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham crackers crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Toss until all crumbs are wet.
  • Press into 8×8 baking dish. Place in the freezer while you make the filling. 
  • In a different medium mixing bowl, whisk together vanilla pudding mix with 2 cups cold milk. Whisk until soft set (you start to feel some resistance while whisking.) Fold in 1 cup whipped cream. Pour over chilled graham cracker crust.
  • In the same bowl, add pistachio pudding mix and remaining 2 cups milk, whisking until soft set. Fold in 1 cup whipped cream. Pour over vanilla pudding layer, spreading evenly.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours. Top with remaining 1 cup of whipped cream.
  • Garnish with chopped pistachios, chocolate syrup and maraschino cherries.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, please come back and let us know how you like it! 

Notes

If you don’t like a crumbly crust, layer the bottom with whole graham cracker and omit sugar and butter. 

Nutrition

Calories: 240 kcal, Carbohydrates: 31 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 11 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 29 mg, Sodium: 249 mg, Potassium: 154 mg, Sugar: 26 g, Vitamin A: 355 IU, Vitamin C: 0.1 mg, Calcium: 116 mg, Iron: 0.4 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 240
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: icebox cake
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.77 from 13 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

    1. Yes, the ingredient is whipped cream, meaning already whipped, not liquid cream. 🙂

  1. 5 stars
    Love the pistachio facts! “The smiling nut” totally made me giggle. Never thought about freezing pudding but this looks awesome!

  2. 5 stars
    What a perfect recipe for these hot days! I can’t even think about turning on the oven right, so an icebox cake is just the thing. And I love the color of the pistachio pudding. So pretty. 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    now I really really feel like ice cream!!! this looks wonderful i love pistachios so much! this is so perfect for summer