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Light and Delicious Pistachio Dessert Recipe

Light and Delicious Pistachio Dessert

A chilled layered pistachio dessert with a buttery nut crust, sweet cream-cheese layer, creamy pistachio pudding, and whipped topping. This easy make-ahead dessert serves 12.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup Finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Cream-Cheese Layer
  • 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar
  • 1 cup Thawed whipped topping
Pistachio Layer
  • 2 packages 3.4 ounces each Instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 3 cups Cold milk
Topping
  • 1 container 8 ounces Thawed whipped topping
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup Chopped pistachios or pecans, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Combine the flour, softened butter, and finely chopped nuts until the mixture is crumbly and evenly moistened.
  2. Press the crust mixture firmly into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until lightly golden, then cool completely.
  3. Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of thawed whipped topping and spread this mixture over the cooled crust.
  4. Whisk the two pistachio pudding mixes with 3 cups of cold milk for about 2 minutes, until thickened. Spread the pudding evenly over the cream-cheese layer.
  5. Spread the remaining 8-ounce container of whipped topping over the pistachio pudding. Sprinkle with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped pistachios or pecans, if desired.
  6. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Slice into 12 servings and serve chilled.

Notes

Cool the crust completely before adding the cream-cheese layer so the filling does not soften or slide. Use cold milk and chill the finished dessert for several hours; overnight chilling produces the firmest texture. Reduced-fat cream cheese, light whipped topping, and low-fat milk may be used, although the filling may be slightly softer.