Description
Bright, soft, and brimming with festive flavor, this Pistachio Bread is the ultimate holiday bake for anyone who loves a treat that looks as good as it tastes. It’s a cheerful, quick dessert loaf that makes the perfect gift for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, or your cookie-loving aunt. With its signature pale-green hue, this bread screams Christmas cheer — and best of all, it’s effortless to make.
You’ll only need one bowl, a few pantry staples, and about an hour to fill your kitchen with that warm, sweet scent of holiday magic. Whether you call it “Grinch Bread” or just “that green loaf everyone devours first,” this is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your winter baking rotation.
Ingredients
- 1 box (13.25–15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant pistachio pudding mix
- ¾ cup hot water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2–3 drops green food coloring (optional, but fun!)
- Holiday sprinkles (optional for decoration)
Instructions
1. Preheat and prep the pans.
Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two standard 8×4-inch loaf pans or six mini foil pans. You can also use a mix of sizes depending on how many gifts you’re making.
2. Mix the batter.
In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment), combine the cake mix, pistachio pudding mixes, hot water, oil, eggs, and green food coloring (if using).
Start mixing on low speed for about 30 seconds, then bump it up to medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter looks smooth, thick, and creamy.
3. Fill the pans.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Sprinkle the tops with festive red-and-green sprinkles if you want that extra Christmas sparkle.
4. Bake to perfection.
Bake for 40–50 minutes for full-size loaves, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when gently pressed.
If you’re using mini pans, start checking for doneness at 25 minutes — smaller pans bake faster, so peek every 5 minutes until they’re ready.
5. Cool and serve.
Let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing or wrapping for gifting.
Notes
- Pro Tips for Perfect Pistachio Bread
- Don’t underbake! The center should spring back lightly when touched. If it still sinks or feels wet, give it another few minutes.
- Skip the green food dye if you prefer a natural pale tone. But if you want that whimsical “Grinch” vibe, go ahead and add a drop or two — it makes the color pop beautifully.
- Use mini loaf pans for adorable, giftable sizes. They’re ready faster, so keep an eye on them!
- Add a nutty twist: Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top before baking for a little extra crunch.
- Want more sweetness? Drizzle the cooled loaf with a light vanilla glaze or dust it with powdered sugar.
- Make-Ahead, Freeze, and Gift Tips
- Make-ahead magic: These loaves are perfect for prepping in advance. You can bake them a few days before your holiday party or even a couple of weeks ahead and store them in the freezer.
- Freezer instructions: Once cooled, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve or gift, just thaw overnight at room temperature.
- DIY edible gift idea: Bake the loaves in foil pans, wrap them in cellophane, tie with a festive ribbon, and tuck in a handwritten tag. Voilà — instant homemade Edible Christmas Gifts that spread holiday cheer without any stress.
- Gifting tip: If you’re delivering these to friends or coworkers, include a small card that says “Contains nuts” (just to be safe). You’ll look thoughtful and keep everyone happy!
- Extra Notes and Variations
- This recipe was originally made with three pudding mixes, but cake mix sizes have changed over time (they’re smaller now). After testing, two pudding mixes give the best texture and rise.
- To make it more indulgent, fold in white chocolate chips or chopped pistachios into the batter.
- For a fun twist, add a teaspoon of almond extract for a bakery-style flavor boost.
- You can even bake this as muffins — just reduce the baking time to about 20–25 minutes.
- Storage
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to a week, but be sure to wrap it tightly to prevent drying out.
- To reheat slices, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds or toast lightly for a warm, fragrant bite.
- Final Thoughts
- If you’re craving something festive but simple, this Pistachio Bread will be your new favorite Holiday Bread. It’s soft, moist, and delightfully green — the perfect addition to your Pistachio Recipes collection. Whether you call it “Grinch bread” or just your go-to Pistachio Dessert Pudding, this quick loaf never disappoints.
- Whip it up for brunch, gift it with a bow, or sneak a warm slice with your morning coffee. Either way, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start this holiday baking tradition sooner.
- So go ahead — preheat that oven and spread a little sweetness this season. 🎄💚
Nutrition
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 213mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 37mg