Pistachio Pudding is a creamy, rich, and subtly nutty dessert that’s both delicious and easy to make. With its vibrant green hue and smooth texture, this pudding offers the delightful flavor of pistachios in every spoonful. Whether enjoyed on its own, as a filling for cakes or pies, or topped with whipped cream and chopped pistachios for extra indulgence, pistachio pudding is a satisfying treat for any occasion. This homemade version uses real pistachios, giving it an authentic flavor that is far superior to store-bought mixes, making it a perfect dessert for nut lovers.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Green food coloring (optional)
- Whipped cream and chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Grind the pistachios: In a food processor, grind the pistachios into a fine powder. Be careful not to over-process, as you don’t want them to turn into pistachio butter.
- Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and ground pistachios over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes to allow the pistachio flavor to infuse.
- Make the pudding base: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks until smooth. Slowly add the pistachio milk mixture, whisking constantly to avoid curdling.
- Cook the pudding: Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the pudding thickens and comes to a gentle boil, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and butter until smooth.
- Add food coloring (optional): For a more vibrant green color, stir in a few drops of green food coloring.
- Chill the pudding: Transfer the pudding to a bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
- Serve: Serve the pistachio pudding topped with whipped cream and chopped pistachios for added texture and flavor.
This homemade Pistachio Pudding is a creamy and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, bringing out the best of the nutty and slightly sweet taste of pistachios!
