### **Pistachio & Citrus Layer Cake**
* **Prep time:** 45 mins
* **Cook time:** 30 mins
* **Servings:** 10-12
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### **Ingredients**
#### **Pistachio Cake**
* 1 1/2 cups shelled **pistachios**, toasted
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 4 large eggs, room temperature
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1 tsp **lemon zest**
* 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
#### **Lemon-Lime Cream Cheese Frosting**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 8 oz (1 brick) cream cheese, softened
* 4-5 cups powdered sugar
* 2 tbsp fresh **lemon juice**
* 1 tbsp fresh **lime juice**
* 1 tsp **lemon zest**
* 1/2 tsp **lime zest**
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### **Instructions**
#### **1. Make the Cake**
1. **Preheat & Prep:** Preheat oven to **350°F ()**. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. **Grind Pistachios:** In a food processor, pulse the **pistachios** until they are finely ground (be careful not to turn them into butter).
3. **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the ground pistachios, flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. **Cream Butter & Sugar:** In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
5. **Add Wet Ingredients:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
6. **Combine:** Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. **Bake:** Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for **25–30 minutes**, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. **Cool:** Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
#### **2. Make the Frosting**
1. **Beat Butter & Cheese:** In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
2. **Add Sugar:** Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
3. **Add Citrus:** Mix in the lemon juice, lime juice, lemon zest, and lime zest. Beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until fluffy.
#### **3. Assembly**
1. **Level:** If necessary, level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife.
2. **Fill:** Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top.
3. **Stack & Frost:** Top with the second cake layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
4. **Decorate:** Garnish with chopped pistachios and thin slices of lime or lemon, if desired.
Reviewed by chef simo
on
February 20, 2026
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