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Moist Lemon Pistachio Cake slice with lemon glaze and chopped pistachios on top, moist crumb inside, sitting on a wooden board.

Lemon Pistachio Cake

5 from 1 vote
A moist, elegant Lemon Pistachio Cake that balances bright lemon zest with rich, nutty pistachios. Made with olive oil for incredible texture and topped with a tangy lemon glaze, it feels fancy but is easy enough for everyday baking.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling & Glazing 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 11 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 325
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 cup Pistachios, shelled - Unsalted
  • 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups Sugar
  • 3 Large eggs - Room temperature
  • ½ cup Olive oil - Extra virgin
  • 2 Lemons Zest + ¼ cup juice - Fresh
  • 2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
For the Lemon Glaze
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp Lemon juice - Fresh
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
  • Pinch Salt
Optional Garnish
  • 2 tablespoon Chopped pistachios - For topping
  • Lemon zest - Extra brightness
  • Edible flowers - Fancy occasions

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch round cake pan (or 9x5 loaf pan)
  • 1 Food processor (for grinding pistachios)
  • 1 Electric mixer (hand or stand)
  • 1 Fine grater (for zesting lemons)
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Rubber spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line cake pan. Grind pistachios into fine crumbs. Mix with flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy, then slowly whisk in olive oil, lemon zest, and juice.
  3. Gently fold dry mixture into wet until just combined.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth top, and bake 45–55 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  5. Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest, and salt into glaze. Pour over cooled cake and garnish with pistachios/zest.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 16gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.6mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

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