Pistachio citrus delight recipes

### **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.