Name: Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix; 1 box instant pistachio pudding mix (3.4 oz); 4 eggs; ¼ cup vegetable oil; 1½ cups water; 1 teaspoon almond extract; a few drops green food coloring (to get the color you prefer); ¼ cup unsalted butter; ¼ cup milk; 1½ cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon almond extract; chopped pistachios (for sprinkling over the cake)

Whenever I want to serve a show-stopping dessert that’s both elegant and a little playful, my go-to is this Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe. It's perfectly moist with a subtle pistachio flavor and topped with a luscious chocolate ganache—totally feels like a celebration on your plate!

The image shows a round bundt-shaped cake with two color layers: a light green bottom layer and a light brown upper layer, both with a soft, slightly spongy texture. Thick, shiny dark brown chocolate icing flows down from the top, forming long drips along the sides. The chocolate icing is sprinkled with small chopped nuts, mostly light beige with hints of green, scattered evenly on top. The cake sits on a white plate with a subtle design around the edge, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this cake never fails to impress my family and friends. The way the green pistachio cake contrasts with the rich chocolate ganache is delightful, and that hint of almond extract adds such a welcoming warmth. It’s not only delicious but also fun to make together.

Festive and Fun: The touch of green food coloring makes it perfect for holidays like St. Patrick's Day or any time you want a pop of color on your dessert table.
Moist and Tender: Adding instant pistachio pudding mix keeps the cake incredibly moist and soft.
Flavors in Harmony: Almond extract enhances the pistachio flavor without overpowering it, creating a well-balanced taste.
Rich Finish: The smooth chocolate ganache topped with chopped pistachios delivers the perfect textural contrast and elegant finish.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk about the ingredients here before you dive in—you’ll want to gather some easy-to-find basics along with a special touch or two. These ingredients come together beautifully to create that vibrant green hue and rich layers of flavor.

Flat lay of a few whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of shelled green pistachios, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with milk, a small white ceramic bowl with powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl with water, a small white ceramic bowl with almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl with green liquid food coloring, two small white ceramic bowls containing white cake mix and light green instant pistachio pudding mix powders, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: A reliable base that makes this cake easy to whip up without starting from scratch.
Instant pistachio pudding mix: Adds moisture and an authentic pistachio punch.
Eggs: Help bind everything together and add richness.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb tender and soft.
Water: Needed to bring the batter to the right consistency.
Almond extract: Elevates the pistachio flavor with a subtle nutty aroma.
Green food coloring: Optional, but perfect for getting that festive, eye-catching cake color.
Unsalted butter: Creates a creamy base for the chocolate ganache.
Milk: Balances the ganache texture to be smooth and pourable.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the ganache to perfection.
Cocoa powder: Gives the ganache its rich, chocolatey depth.
Chopped pistachios: Adds crunch and a beautiful garnish on top of the ganache.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe is how easily you can tailor it to your taste or occasion. Whether you want to dial up the nutty flavor or add a seasonal twist, there are plenty of ways to make this cake uniquely yours.

Almond Extract Swap: If almond isn’t your favorite, try substituting with vanilla extract for a more classic, mellow cake flavor. I once made this swap and found it perfectly comforting, especially when serving the cake to guests who prefer subtler nut notes.
Color Play: Green food coloring adds that festive St. Patrick’s Day vibe, but you could use natural matcha powder to create a delicate earthy green and an extra layer of green tea flavor.
Toast Those Nuts: Toasting your chopped pistachios before sprinkling them on top enhances their crunch and deepens the flavor. Just toss them in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant—this small step really elevated the final bite.
Seasonal Variation: For a spring celebration, mix a handful of fresh or frozen raspberries into the batter to add pops of color and a juicy surprise inside the cake.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe

A single slice of bright green cake with a soft, airy texture sits on a small white plate. The cake is thickly covered on the outside with a smooth, dark chocolate layer topped with crushed pistachio nuts, giving a rough nutty texture on the edges. The green inside contrasts strongly with the dark chocolate outside. In the background, there are a few blurred pistachio nuts scattered on a white marbled surface and a silver fork resting beside the cake slice. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, thoroughly grease your 10-inch bundt pan. This step is crucial to ensure your beautiful cake releases cleanly without sticking. I like to use a baking spray with flour, but a good butter and flour combo works wonderfully too.

Step 2: Whip Up the Batter

In the bowl of your mixer, combine the white cake mix and instant pistachio pudding mix. Add in your eggs, vegetable oil, almond extract, water, and those fun green food coloring drops. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until everything is thoroughly blended and the batter is smooth. You’ll notice a lovely pale green color and a silky texture—perfect!

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top with a spatula if needed. Slide it into the oven and bake for 55 minutes. Keep an eye on it near the end, and use a toothpick to test doneness—it should come out clean. This cake has a wonderful moist crumb thanks to the pudding mix, so avoid overbaking.

Step 4: Cool and Unmold

Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. This resting time helps it firm up so it can safely release without breaking. Then carefully invert it onto a cake tray or wire rack. If your pan was well-greased, the cake should slide out beautifully, revealing its lovely shape and inviting green hue.

Step 5: Make Your Chocolate Ganache

While your cake cools, prepare the ganache. In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter with milk and cocoa powder over low heat. Whisk gently and frequently until everything is smooth — don’t let the mixture boil. Once off the heat, whisk in the powdered sugar and almond extract until silky and glossy. This luscious ganache is going to be the perfect complement to your pistachio cake.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Pour the warm ganache evenly over your still-warm cake, allowing it to drizzle down those gorgeous bundt ridges. The warmth helps the ganache settle beautifully without melting the cake surface too much. Finally, sprinkle chopped pistachios on top for a delightful textural contrast and that extra pop of green.

Top Tip

Making the perfect Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe is easier when you keep a few handy tips in mind. These little nuggets of wisdom can truly elevate your baking experience and ensure a beautiful, delicious result every time.

Proper Pan Preparation: Make sure to thoroughly grease your 10-inch bundt pan. I usually use a baking spray with flour, which helps the cake release cleanly without any sticking or crumbling.
Mixing Time Matters: Beating the batter on medium speed for at least 2 minutes really helps incorporate air and balances the pudding with the cake mix, giving a wonderfully moist texture.
Warm Ganache Pour: Pour the chocolate ganache while it’s warm but not boiling. This prevents melting the cake’s surface too much, helping the ganache to set beautifully and look glossy.
Toasting Pistachios: For an extra burst of flavor, lightly toast your chopped pistachios before sprinkling them on top. It adds crunch and deepens that nutty flavor — trust me, it makes a big difference!

How to Serve Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe

In a round silver Bundt pan, there is a base layer of smooth, light green batter filling most of the pan evenly. On top of this green layer, there are swirls of thick, dark brown batter that form a flowing, curved pattern across the surface. A woman's hand holding a spoon is seen at the edge of the pan, drawing through the top batter to create a marbled effect. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

This cake already shines with its luscious ganache and pistachio topping, but you can dress it up even further! A light dusting of powdered sugar gives a gentle snowfall effect, perfect for festive occasions. Fresh mint leaves or edible flowers add a pop of color and elegance. For an indulgent touch, serve each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich chocolate and nutty pistachio flavors.

Side Dishes

Pair this Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to cut through the richness with their bright acidity. A light citrus salad or lemon sorbet also works beautifully as a refreshing contrast. For drinks, a cup of strong coffee, a nutty chai tea, or even a glass of dessert wine makes this cake feel like a complete celebration treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your slices, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, where the cake will stay moist and fresh for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, you might prefer to refrigerate it, which can preserve it for up to a week without drying out when wrapped well.

Freezing

This bundt cake freezes beautifully! To freeze, wrap the whole cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil to protect it from freezer burn. It will keep well for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before bringing to room temperature.

Reheating

If you like your cake slightly warm, gentle reheating works wonders. Place individual slices on a microwave-safe plate and warm for about 10-15 seconds or until just warm. This will soften the ganache slightly again, making every bite utterly decadent.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use vanilla extract instead of almond extract in this recipe?

Absolutely! The recipe notes that swapping almond extract for vanilla extract is a great option if you prefer a more classic cake flavor. It will still be delicious with that subtle vanilla warmth.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Use the classic toothpick test: insert a toothpick into the center of the cake near the 55-minute mark. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is perfectly baked. If there’s wet batter, give it a few more minutes and test again.

Is the green food coloring necessary for the cake?

No, the green food coloring is optional. It’s mainly to give the cake a festive look, especially for occasions like St. Patrick’s Day. Feel free to adjust the amount or skip it altogether if you prefer a natural pistachio color.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

This recipe uses butter and milk in the ganache, so to make it dairy-free, you'd need to substitute those with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil and almond milk. Keep in mind this may slightly change the texture and flavor of the ganache.

Final Thoughts

The Pistachio Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake Recipe is one of those delightful treats that bring smiles to any celebration. Its moist pistachio-infused crumb paired with rich chocolate ganache and crunchy nuts makes for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re baking for St. Patrick’s Day or just to brighten your day, this cake is sure to impress and comfort. Give it a try, and enjoy every luscious bite!