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An easy Pistachio Pudding Icebox Cake that is layer upon layer of creamy goodness. The cake is made with graham crackers, pistachio pudding, and lots of whipped topping!

We love to have easy desserts on hand, and often will whip up a quick Classic Pistachio Fluff Salad or No Bake Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake to satisfy our sweet tooth throughout the week. This Pistachio Pudding Cake is a great recipe to do just that!

A close up of pistachio pudding cake that shows the layers.

Pistachio Icebox Cake

Growing up we would always celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. My mom would make corned beef and cabbage, and a pistachio pudding cake. As a child, that cake was my favorite, especially the frosting. My husband and I do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like how I did growing up, but I always try to make a green dessert when it is coming up. I wanted to make a spin on my Mom’s Pistachio Pudding cake and I came up with this amazing Pistachio Icebox Cake.

How To Make Pistachio Icebox Cake

The cake starts with a layer of graham cracker crust, pistachio pudding, then a whipped cream cheese layer, and more pistachio pudding. If you take out the time of the crust cooling this cake comes together in less than 20 minutes! I always love making quick desserts especially when I am already making other food items for a party.

  1. Start by making the crust. Combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture is well combined. Then press it into an 8×8-inch pan. Bake the crust for about 7 minutes or until it’s golden. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
  2. Next, make the pistachio pudding. Using a hand mixer, beat the pistachio pudding mix with milk until it begins to thicken, then set it aside until you’re ready to use.
  3. Finally, prepare the cream cheese layer. Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and 1 cup of whipped topping until it’s smooth and creamy.
  4. Spread half of the pudding mixture onto the cooled crust, then all of the cream cheese mixture, then the remaining pudding mixture.
  5. Chill the pistachio pudding cake for a few hours before cutting into squares and serving.
  6. Garnish the chilled cake with chopped pistachios if desired for added texture.

Pistachio pudding cake on a plate

Can I make this a no bake dessert?

If you want to completely make this Pistachio Pudding Cake a no bake dessert then follow the same steps for the graham cracker crust and place it in the freezer for 2 hours before adding any of the layers. If I bake my crust in the oven I will often place the crust in the freezer to cool faster. I do this by putting a towel or oven mitt on a shelf in the freezer and then placing the hot baking dish on top. I will let it freeze for 15-20 minutes, and then assemble with the pistachio layers.

How long can this icebox cake sit out?

Because this is a chilled dessert, it won’t last long at room temperature. I recommend refrigerating as soon as possible, within one hour, or it will begin to melt.

An overhead shot of pistachio pudding cake in a pan with slices on plates.

How To Store Pistachio Pudding Cake

Store this cake in its original dish, covered with foil or plastic wrap. For maximum freshness, store slices in an airtight container. This cake will last up to 3 days if properly store in the fridge.

Can I freeze pudding cake?

Yes, you absolutely can! Pistachio Pudding Icebox Cake actually holds up quite well in the freezer. You have a couple of options:

  1. Freeze the cake whole. Wrap the container with plastic wrap or place into a large freezer bag. (I recommend using a disposable pan if this is your plan). To defrost, unwrap the pan and thaw in the refrigerator.
  2. Freeze individual slices. Slice the cake into squares, place slices on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes so they firm up. Then wrap each individual square in plastic wrap and place into a large freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator.

A close up of a slice of pistachio cake with a bite on a fork

For more delicious chilled dessert recipes, try these:

 For all desserts go HERE and all recipes go HERE.

Recipe

Pistachio Icebox Cake

5 from 5 votes
An easy Pistachio Pudding Icebox Cake that is layer upon layer of creamy goodness. The cake is made with graham crackers, pistachio pudding and lots of whipped topping!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1/3 cup sugar

Cream Cheese Layer:

  • 6 oz cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup whipped topping

Pistachio Layer:

  • 2 box instant pistachio pudding
  • 2 3/4 cups milk

Topping:

  • 2 cups whipped topping optional, but recommended
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Instructions
 

Crust:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • In a large bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
  • Press into a 8 x 8-inch pan.
  • Bake for 7-8 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and cool completely.

Pistachio Pudding:

  • In a large bowl mix, the milk and pudding mix for 1-2 minutes until the pudding begins to thicken.set aside

Cream Cheese Layer:

  • Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and the 1 cup of whipped topping. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  • Spread half of the pudding onto the cooled crust. Then the whole cream cheese mixture, and then the rest of the pudding. You can add another optional layer of just whipped topping (if desired)
  • Chill for about 2-3 hours

Notes

Pistachio Pudding Icebox Cake actually holds up quite well in the freezer. You have a couple of options:
  1. Freeze the cake whole. Wrap the container with plastic wrap or place into a large freezer bag. (I recommend using a disposable pan if this is your plan). To defrost, unwrap the pan and thaw in the refrigerator.
  2. Freeze individual slices. Slice the cake into squares, place slices on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes so they firm up. Then wrap each individual square in plastic wrap and place into a large freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Keyword icebox cake, pistachio icebox cake

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 196mgPotassium: 142mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 470IUCalcium: 106mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of "Yellow Bliss Road" is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

pistachio pudding cake pinnable with text overlay

An easy Pistachio Icebox Cake that is layers of goodness. The cake is made with graham crackers, pistachio pudding and lots of whipped topping!

An easy Pistachio Icebox Cake that is layers of goodness. The cake is made with graham crackers, pistachio pudding and lots of whipped topping!An easy Pistachio Icebox Cake that is layers of goodness. The cake is made with graham crackers, pistachio pudding and lots of whipped topping!

An easy Pistachio Icebox Cake that is layers of goodness made with graham crackers, pistachio pudding and lots of whipped topping!

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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Comments

  1. Amy Durphy says:

    Our favorite go-to, make in advance cake. I have been making your version for years!

    1. Kristin says:

      That’s awesome Amy! Thanks for stopping by.

  2. Carolyn ackley says:

    Can I use regular sugar an if I can how much do I use

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Hi Carolyn, It’s generally not recommended to swap the powdered sugar for granulated sugar because it will create a different consistency and texture.

      1. Gigi says:

        You can make powdered sugar easily. Just put your sugar in a food processor and let it run until it’s a powder. Put in a lidded container and bang the bottom of the container on the counter to compact the sugar a little. Since your recently made sugar is now light and airy your measurements may not be accurate unless you help it settle or you can just compact the amount in your measuring cup. You only need to do this when it’s just made. It will settle itself in a few days or so. It keeps just like regular sugar so make more than you need if you like I keep it in a lidded container in my pantry. If you’re just using it to dust a cake or something compacting won’t matter. HTH

        1. Kristin Maxwell says:

          Yes this is true!

  3. Kimberli says:

    Hello! I’m so excited that I found this. Thank you so much for posting! Long story but I lost my brother and mom. She would make this for my brother every holiday and wanted to make it a tradition in our family in honor of both of them but have not been able to find the recipe. I’ve looked and looked for the recipe in her recipe books and can not find it. This looks almost identical! I can’t wait to make it for Thanksgiving. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      I am so sorry for your loss Kimberli. But I’m so happy you are able to honor your brother and mom this way. Sending you big hugs!

  4. Anna Mosty says:

    This was so simple and tasted so yummy.
    Thank you for this tasty treat.
    We love it .

  5. NANCY says:

    Thanks for the recipe! I substituted the sugar for Splenda and used low fat cream cheese. I would have substituted the powdered sugar but there’s no replacement. I’m a diabetic so I have to cut down on my sugar ? I used to eat this with a shortbread crust but like this better. Thanks!

  6. Wendy says:

    More than doubled the recipe for our harvest crew, and it wasn’t enough!!! A new favorite. Hint: use the crust mix immediately, or it hardens into Graham Cement.

  7. Natalie says:

    YUM!!! I love pistachio – it looks amazing!