Last week I had two cups of milk, two eggs, and twenty minutes. I took to Twitter to ask you what kind of pudding I should make with my perishables and time. You answered: Chocolate. You answered: Butterscotch. One of you mentioned: Pistachio. Sold.
Pistachio pudding is so much more than the pale green, instant box, powdery stuff. Truly.
This pale green Pistachio Pudding is made from homemade pistachio paste. This is totally good news, right!? Pistachio, sugar, and just a touch of water. Stir this paste into warmed milk and eggs, and call it pudding. It’s just about that easy.
Spring pudding. I made it and I want you to also.
Oh wait! I didn’t tell you what this pudding tastes like. Pistachios. … and sugar. Go figure.
Homemade Pistachio Pudding
makes 6 small ramekins
adapted from cooks.com
Pistachio Paste:
1/2 cup salted pistachio nuts
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
Pudding:
2 cups whole milk
2 large egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup pistachio nuts, chopped
To make the Pistachio Paste: place pistachios in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are in small bits. Add the sugar and water, and blend until relatively smooth. Easy!
To make the Pudding: Spoon Pistachio Paste into a medium saucepan. Add the milk and whisk over medium heat. Heat milk and pistachio until steamy and hot.
While milk is heating, whisk together granulated sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch and pinch of salt. Mixture will be thick. Keep whisking until it’s smooth. Pour about 1/2 cup of the steaming pistachio milk into the sugar and egg mixture. Whisk together. Add another half cup of hot milk and whisk to incorporate. Return the milky egg mixture into the saucepan over medium heat.
Heat pudding mixture over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Whisk almost constantly. You might also want to use a heat-proof spatula to stir the mixture, ensuring that the sides and corners of the pan aren’t burning. Boil for about 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract, until butter is melted. Pass cooked pudding through a fine mesh strainer set over a medium bowl. This will ensure that any cooked egg bits don’t make it into the finished pudding. Press the pudding through the strainer. Add a few of the pistachio nut bits that the strainer catches, back to the pudding if you’d like
Spoon into small ramekins, place plastic wrap over the individual puddings (so the plastic touches the top of the pudding), and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Top with lightly sweetened whipped cream and chipped pistachios.
Pudding will last, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days.
Laura
Moving from the US to Australia left me pistachio pudding-less and sad. I found your recipe…I made the first batch, taste tested and immediately made a 2nd batch!!! Sooooo yum!
Susan
Thank you for posting this. I love pistachio pudding, but I’ve been trying to eat only real food, and I’m pretty sure anything branded “Jello” doesn’t qualify :-)
wcraft
Very rich but turned out nice. Didn’t need to strain pistachios as I used a coffee grinder and it pretty much made them into a flour. Also, added a few drops of yellow food coloring to moderate the color to look more like “box mix.” BTW, this wasn’t cheap to make since I had to spend $9 for a half lb. of shelled pistachios!
Dan
Yummm!! I’m always buying boxed pistachio pudding…me and my husband love it. But this looks about a million times better than boxed! Have to try it asap!! Lol
Enna Nahar (@ennabee)
Made this the other night for the family. I used a little less sugar and put a couple of madeleines and pistachios in the ramekins before pouring in the pudding. I also mixed a dash of rose water and cardamom powder into the whipping cream. Everyone loved it!
Nuts about food
Hi, I just wanted to let you know I posted a recipe on pistachio pudding after finding it here on your blog (one of the only all-natural recipes I found out there, so thank you!) and mentioned your blog and linked back to this post. It was delicious and so quick to make, so thanks for the hands up!
Nicole @ the Dirty oven
It is just about What???? Loves.
Charity
I just made this! It is not fully cooled yet, but it is so delicious I want to eat it warm!
Laura F
Joy, I am having a hard time finding a pre-made pistachio paste for a cake I am making, so I am going to attempt to use your recipe here. Do you know about how much paste it makes?
Sharon
Made this for my family after I fought with them…and it totally helped patch things up! Thank YOU :-D
Alyssa
Made this. SO GOOD. Insanity.
MyCoCreations
Oh my goodness!!! I am definitely making this..thank you thank you thank you for sharing!
Anika
I was going to comment that my boyfriend, whose family is Italian, loves anything pistachio – he can spot pistachio gelato from four blocks away, I swear. But reading the comments, it seems like a lot of boyfriends/husbands are equally pistachio-obsessed! Maybe the phrase should be ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but pistachios are the express lane.’
Kristiana
Oh my pistachio goodness. Made this for Easter a few weekends ago and it was, in a word, astounding. The whole family loved it. I was tempted not to share it with them… but I did. Thank you, thank you, thank you for creating and sharing this recipe.
Lauren
My sister is crazy for pistachios…i enjoy them also, but mention pistachio gelati to her and you can basically see her eyes fill with stars. I’m definitely going to have to send this to her! Thanks!
Becky
I made this as a surprise for the hubby. I am not a fan of the fake, bright green “pistachio” pudding, but I am now in love with the homemade stuff. It was so good that I ate what didn’t make it through the strainer. Yum! I had a hard time not consuming it all before DH made it home. He sat on the couch with his ramekin of pudding and mmmmmmm’d until it was all gone. Thanks for making me look like a pudding genius!
Jenny @ Momma's Cakes
Your photography is beautiful…Do you have a fabulous camera, or a great photo editing program?
Sarah-Anne
your titles on the pics slay me. love!
Sandy
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. Have been a long time follower of your site, and this one made me stop and write a glowing review! After my first batch there has been a demand for this around the family, and I’ve been making it every night since.
There was only 1 thing I tweeked after making it with the recipe – it was still too sweet for my taste. For my second batch I ended up using only a 1/3c of sugar, total. The mild sweetness lets you really appreciate the richness and texture of the pudding. Also, I reserved a tiny bit of milk, and mixed the cornstarch in it before adding to the egg yolk. Much easier mixing with the yolk, and no chunks in the finished pudding.
Thank you again, and looking forward to more treasures!
oldefashionedgirl
Just to let you know, I gave you up for Lent. It was pretty rough.
But I’m BACK now, and I am SO making this tomorrow after school :D
Alisa
I have been craving some pudding and had bookmarked tons of recipes. When I saw this yesterday, I knew it was the one. Can’t wait to eat it tonight, once Passover has ended (cornstarch). YUM.
Kelci Smith
I also made this for Easter dessert. I wish I had made more. BOMB.
Katie
I made this pudding yesterday as a celebration of the end of Lent (I had given up processed sugar). So tasty! Tasted a teeny bit too sweet to me, but that was probably just the sugar deprivation talking. Five bowls scraped totally clean are a pretty good testament to how fantastic it was, thanks for such a yummy recipe!
Gina @the Addicted Baker
Definitely just bookedmark! Love pastachios and the idea of not using the yogurt maker!
Natalie S.
OMG I loooove pistachio pudding, and I’ve been looking for something to make with the bags of pistachios in my pantries. This is incredible.
Sara
Pistachio pudding is my husband’s favorite dessert, so when I saw this right after you posted, I immediately printed it to make for our 5-year wedding anniversary (which is tomorrow). He’s never had homemade, only boxed, and I think he will be very pleased. I just made it, and it is amazing. Paired with homemade sweetened whipped cream, it’s good enough to make you cry. Thank you!
Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer
I have to make this! This may just be my new addiction. Thanks for making it a healthy one :)
anna
Hi! I made this tonight, so easy and pretty and delicious. Just wanted to note that on its own, without any whipped cream, it is REALLY sweet, almost on the edge of too sweet, if there is such a thing :)
Erica L
Anna,
I second that! Just tasted the almost-end product (still needs to cool in the fridge) and it’s really really sweet. The diabetic bf isn’t going to be too happy about this one, whoops! I suppose over a cup’s worth of sugar should have been the dead giveaway haha. Still delicious tho.
I’m curious about trying the recipe with cashews…
joythebaker
feel free to add less sugar to the milk mixture if you’d like! my apologies to your diabetic boyfriend!
joythebaker
also! i’ve changed the recipe from 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in the milk mixture to 1/3 cup. that should help people in the future. thanks for you feedback!
Rocky Mountain Woman
Yowsa! that looks good!
love pistachio ice cream, this is a shoe in for dessert of the week!
Tamara
Pistachios seem to be a theme for me this week. I am seriously considering making this recipe. I have never made homemade pudding before. I think I am up for the challenge!
Jerilyn
Holy cow – I have an ongoing love affair with pistachios. It’s serious, and so this pudding is in my future.
Catherine
The fact that I can come here and get great recipes AND laugh out loud…well, that is Joy. Thank you!
steph (whisk/spoon)
i used to love that green stuff from a box….was my favorite flavor of pudding growing up. why do i bet this ia a zillion times better? i’ll keep this in mind.
Craig Mattson
This looks incredibly tasty. Pistachios are one of my favorites, and in pudding must be equally awesome. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Jesse
i love how you tend to choose unexpected treats that always make my tummy happy.
Lora @cakeduchess
I love pistacchio ice-cream and I just feel in love with your dleiocus pudding recipe. Can’t wait to try it:)
RSA Now
Why? Why?? WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS BEFORE?! Pistachio pudding is the best :) I literally spent all of yesterday making so much of this ;)
Cory
This is sort of a random question – but do you think I could turn this into an ice cream?!
I was just discussing our Easter menu and pistachio ice cream came up as something that might be really fun & a nice addition to some fruit tarts. This looks AMAZING…so I will definitely make it in pudding form…but perhaps a frosty incarnation would work nicely?
great pics as always! thanks for posting…and any thoughts on the ice cream apprecated :)
Lucy @ The Sweet Touch
I love that something as simple as pudding can be so delicious! And the color is gorge!
Thank you for sharing!
Lucy @ The Sweet Touch
PS. Is that cool whip on top (emphasis on the h)…family guy…anyone?
Joanne
Hi Joy – That was me who suggested “pistachio” on Twitter. So glad to see you took my suggestion :) The pistachio pudding looks marvelous! The pale green colour is so pretty and in theme with Spring and Easter. And that dollop of whip cream with chopped pistachio nuts on top is just stunning!
olciaky
Jaaami!:D
Pistachio i like!
Aimee @ Simple Bites
I tried to teach my 3yo to say pistachio the other day, but it only encouraged him to run around shouting “PISS! PISS!” so I gave up.
He would love this pudding though- pistachios are his all time favorite nut.
ellen
oh man that was funny. sorry, but your son is an adorable little nut. and the pudding, joy? i’m impressed. i usually.. well… *whisper* buy the package- i know a total sin, so you making it homemade, that’s rad, dude. even the easter bunny would approve :D
Seanna Lea
I made pistachio pudding with pistachio quinoa milk a month or so ago, but this one looks easier on the budget! I always have eggs in the house, because I’m an ice cream making fool!
Lori @ Girl Meets Oven
Looks yummy! I would love to make this, but my husband loves pistachios so much they are never in the house long enough to bake or cook with. :)
*Just Fran*
Oh YUM! I never considered making from scratch pistachio pudding. Awesome.
Nicolette
Pa-stash-eee-yum. This looks yummy and fresh for spring.
Leigh
Pistachio pudding….I haven’t had it since my mother made the Jello brand in the 1970’s. Glad you posted a homemade recipe I can make for my children.
Mallory's Kitchen
MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! Will have to make this. Might be good frozen into popsicles.
Courtney
I have to admit… I’m also an enduring fan of the instant boxed powdery pistachio pudding!! Watergate Cake with Coverup Icing, anyone? :)
homegrown countrygirl
I hate to reply because by doing so I give away my age… but you just now made me laugh out loud… yes! I sure do remember Watergate Cake with Coverup Frosting!!!
Ellie@fitforthesoul
Wow this sounds super creative and delicious! I love anything with pistachio….I haven’t had it in quite a while now come to think of it! :P
Bridget
I had said butterscotch. And then I thought, pistachio, but no, she probably doesn’t have pistachios lying around. I should have known better…
Lucylew
Looks amazing. This weekend I bought some pistachio butter from the farmers market. It’s just ground nuts, no salt, no sugar. Wondering if I can sub that and just add more salt and sugar?
Amanda
My boyfriend is going to love this!
anna
day-am! sorry bout the language, but this looks fantastic. i wonder if a blender would work as well as a food processor for pistachio paste…the grind might not be as fine but the taste would probably not be too differently. i am trying it right now!
Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie
I’ve never had pistachios before because the color always scared me but this pudding looks good!
sarah
This looks so pretty. My dad loves pistachios and I’ve grown very fond of them lately.
Happy When Not Hungry
Totally impressed with the pistachio paste! This looks fabulous and perfect for spring :-)
Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes
Love this.
Especially the eeeee part – that’s definitely my fave – it looks like pesto.
Yum yum. Thanks for sharing!
elizabeth / sophisticated pie
All I can say is Y-E-S, yes, yes, yes!
Nic@Daydream about food
Joy, this looks really yummy. I’m definitely going to try this. Love reading your blog.
delaney @ heartbreak pie
A friend gave me some pistachio cardamom sugar last year, and I think this pudding, sprinkled with some cardamom and granulated sugar mixed together, would be absolutely, fragrantly divine! Perfect for spring, yes, but also somewhat perfect for sunny autumn days down in here in the Southern Hemisphere. I’ll be trying it!
dany
hi, I’m dani from Argentina and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog, it’s like heaven for me, really*.* I always come here to see your posts. Yeah, I don’t understand all of you say here cause, as you know, i speak spanish but i use help, with the translator lol I just wanna tell you that, so…bye (:
xoxo
tracy
this post has been open on my screen in it’s very own tab for 5 hours. I cannot close. Please no one make me close it.
Stephanie
To everyone who suggested adding chocolate to the pistachio… you have my vote! Yum!
Vanessa
Oh my gosh!! This looks amazing! I flippin love pistachios.
Stacy @ Say It With Sprouts
I love pistachios and pistachio pudding SO MUCH!
Katrina
Pistachios are my weakness! I don’t think they’re in enough recipes. You just made me sooooo happy!
Lauren@Little Yellow Kitchen
It’s the perfect pastel Easter green! How festive of you :)
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite
I remember that pistachio was always my favorite instant pudding flavor as a kid :) I cannot wait to try this ‘real’ version!
Robbie
Thanks to the person that suggested pistachios! oOo, yum, pistachio paste…that is definitely going to be added to my next baking munchies!
collette
Pistachio pudding is my favorite!! I never even thought about making it from something other than a box! I can’t wait to try it!
Gen
Oh this looks really good! I love pistachio and as you mentioned, the paste seem quite easy to make!
Adriana
hot diggity, this looks delicious! i’m thinking i might squirt a little chocolate sauce on top, it’s still healthy right? because pistachio is a healthy nut!
Stephanie Rose
ha now every time i say pisctachio ill pronounce it just like that. looks yummy
Teale
Oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh…….
Shawn
Did the beginning of this post remind anyone else of the Lost Boys chanting R-u-f-i-oooo in Hook? Maybe it was just me, but it made me smile. And the recipe looks delicious, Joy!
Madix
HAHAHAA! yes, it did!! i’m glad i wasn’t the only one thinking that ;)
Kate
Pistachio ice cream rocks- would also be well up for ice cream recipes!
katescakesandbakes
Kylie
I LOVE pistachios and pistachio-flavored anything! This looks like a keeper!
Rebecca A E
I love pistachio Gelato, so this is a winnnnner. With the warmer weather coming Joy, how about some stellar ice cream recipes? :)
cindy
pistachio pudding….yesssss!!!! i make pistachio creme brulee…how I have not thought of pudding is beyond me. this is genius joy!
Katy from DiningwithDusty
This looks like happiness in a bowl.
Susan (Oliepants)
Pistachio pudding is hands down my favorite pudding for sure!! It’s perfect for spring and/or summer. :) Yours looks absolutely delicious.
Chez Us
SQEEEE! I made pudding last week as well, vanilla. It was more like salted vanilla, as I had a 5 year old helper, who was a bit heavy on the salt shaker. I wish I could have talked her into Pistachio. I love pistachio ice cream, and can only imagine the creamy, nutty, sensation sliding past my lips, into my belly. I may have to whip up a bowl this week!
sheila @ Elements
Looks wonderful, Joy!! I’d love to try to make this sometime!! :)
Allison
Such a lovely shade of green! Perfect for spring!
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing
You are just so classy, Miss Joy. Pistachio pudding? Mmmhm.
Kat @ Cupcake Kat
Oh my gosh pistachio pudding is my favorite! I love pistachios. Homemade pistachio paste sounds absoultely wonderful
Justeen @ Blissful Baking
Ohmygosh the pistachio pudding looks so deliciously lovely!! I’m so excited to try this out!
Vicki B
This looks and sound utterly fantastic! If the cornstarch was left out could it be frozen into Pistachio ice cream?
ShopCookMake
I have a half gallon of milk that need to get used before it expires tomorrow. This is a great idea to use it!
Jennypenny
Looks good! My hubby loves pistachio pudding, but he loves all things processed especially boxed pudding. I don’t know if I should bother making this for him.I don’t know if he would appreciate my effort :)
Love your writing on your pics! It took me a minute to figure out you were writing out pistachio. I blame it on the fact that I wasn’t looking at all the pics at once, and not my slowness :)
Jessica @ bake me away!
Pistachios are my favorite! Did this really take only 20 minutes? I should practice sprint baking.
Also, I say and type eeeeee a lot, so that pistachio paste photo made me happy.
Annette @ CoMo Homestead
JOY! You are amazing. I have always wanted to know how to make this. Thank you for figuring this out for me!
Staci
I am so intrigued! I have never, ever seen a recipe for home made pistachio pudding! Guess I need to add pistachios to the shopping list! Thanks for sharing this!
Anne @ Baking Me
I could go for some pudding and this looks fantastic, perfect for spring!
Mallory
I saw on Twitter that you were looking for goats to pet…You’re two weeks too late to pet my parents goats. They just gave them away to a farm in San Diego. :( Tumnus and Delilah would have loved to have you let them and feed them orange tree leaves. And yes, it is a real farm and not some made up farm that parents talk about to explain why their dog died.
Kartik @ Bakeology 101
Love the idea of the home-made pistachio paste! I’m glad that you put this up because now I can also make two of Clotilde’s cake that I’ve been meaning to make for so long now – her Gâteau Surprise Chocolat Pistache and also her Pistachio Pound cake.
Awesome!
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
This looks quite delicious. Glad you chose pistachio and what a nice green spring dessert!
Natalia - a side of simple
I have to admit, I’ve never even tried a pistachio before. I have that childlike syndrome when it comes to this particular nut where I just claim I don’t like them, but maybe your pudding is what’s going to convert me? I’m willing to try :)
Melinda
YUM. I love the boxed pistachio pudding, although it tastes more like almonds, I think, than pistachios. But homemade? Oh god. Heaven! I so need to make some homemade pudding sometime.
Caroline
Glad you went w/ pistachio. Good call.
Theresa
Ooooh looks so good!
My favorite dessert is a chocolate pistachio pot du creme that they make at my work. Cant wait to try it with a home made pistachio paste!
Ashlae
I looooove pistachio pudding – this looks so delicious, Joy! Chocolate + pistachio pudding go great side-by-side, too. With a big ol’ dollop of whipped topping. Maybe even some caramel drizzle? Now I’m hungry for junk before 8am.
CobyLyn
This looks so yummy, I LOVE pistachio ice cream! It’s always a toss up between pistachio ice cream or Baseball Nut (when it’s in season)
*love*
jen @ the baked life
I never thought of pistachio pudding. I’m a HUUUUGEEE fan of those little green nuts. This is going on my very long, never ending, to be made list.
Edna
Have I ever told you, you are my hero?!….yes you are!
naomi
Oh, it’s so pretty!
I’ve never actually eaten pistachio pudding in my life. This makes it look wonderful!
Holly B @ Recipes from a Normal Mum
All is right with the world when presented with a green pudding. I salute you.
Michelle
The color is just out of this world. This is a fine treat!
peachkins
gorgeous!
A Thrifty Mrs
Oh gosh, that looks amazing.
Candela
BRAAAAVAAAA JOY!! :)
gayle
Joy, I am 50 years old, and have many years of kitchen experience. This pudding would never last four days in the frig. (at least not in MY frig)
catherine
What a beautiful post to start off my week! Thanks Joy, I must try this one.
Jessie
i can imagine this is amazing. i hear once you have one pistachio you need to have another, so this pudding is dangerous!
Emma
This looks lovely I must say .. I’ve not heard of it before but it really intrigues me. The colour is really pretty also.
Megan
I just giggled at that last line: “Pudding will last, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days.”
Yeah right. More like 4 minutes! Hand me that spoon!
Dalla Betta Mark Diana
Doubled recipe for addition to Strawberry Pineapple Ambrosia made with kosher marshmallows; had to use single malt scotch because we’re out of vanilla extract…divine, simply divine while warm before chilling! Who could go back to instant green dyed pudding mixes after such as this recipe?!?
A Plum By Any Other Name
LOVE pistachios. Just made pistachio ice cream last week … we must be channeling the same nut gods. Your pudding looks fanastic!
Channon
I am right there with you gals. I made a secret Indian rice pudding that uses coconut milk and pistachios. It is served warm. YUMMY! (ok, it’s not secret exactly, but not it’s made much in US restaurants and taught to me by the best chef, and Indian man named Mel who is now in Chicago. [Roanoke misses you Mel])
Cyndi
Channon, if you can still read this… please post the secret Indian rice pudding recipe. Pretty please?!
Rach
You are the pudding queen! I can practically taste this. I also love to crowdsource food through twitter!
Quick question, though – d’you reckon I could get away with pasting the pistachios using a mortar and pestle rather than a food processor? ‘Cause I have a mortar and pestle, but I don’t have a food processor (cue tiny violins).
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Love the green pudding! Do you think you could sub out pistachios for peanuts?
Lora
Fan
Tast
ic!
Ruth
Pistachio would’ve been my choice too. This looks awesome. Bookmarked!!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
It’s awesome looking! Twitter to the rescue, 20 mins later, you were totally in business. And I dont know if you shoot your photos “impromptu”, i.e. right after you make something without too much planning…but whatever your methods are….your images are always sooooo beautiful! Just gorgeous!
Abby
I have been looking for a homemade pistachio pudding recipe! Thanks!
Ashley@Bakerbynature
Looks divine Joy. Pistachios are a favorite of mine, so this pudding will need to be made. Yum.
Kathryn
Such a pretty colour for spring and looks delicious.
Three-Cookies
This is ingenious, a much needed upgrade of the humble pudding! I guess it would work just as well with almonds, hazelnuts etc.
hollypop
so precious!
20 mintes? you must work so quickly.
yummmm!
mitzi @ my nikon eats food
green food is pretty :)
Maris (In Good Taste)
I can only imagine how much more delicious this must be then the boxed pudding. Looks so good. Pistachios aside from being so good have some added health benefits.
Shaz (Feedingmykidsbetter)
Love the pale green. It’s so luscious. Thanks for sharing.