March 15, 2012

Going Green

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Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

The expression "going green" takes on new meaning for St. Patrick's Day. Not only do people like to wear green on March 17, green food and beverages are popular that day too!

Last year for St. Patrick's Day, I shared a recipe for Irish Soda Bread. This year, I thought I'd share a recipe that's not Irish in origin, but it's definitely green!

Pistachio Dream Cake starts with a cake mix and gets its green color from a package of pistachio pudding mix.  The cake and pudding mixes are combined with oil, eggs and, instead of water, lemon lime soda.  I use ginger ale, but Sprite or 7-Up can be used instead.

The cake can be baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan or two layer pans or, what I like to use, a Bundt pan.  The 9 x 13-inch pan only has to be greased, but the layer or Bundt pans need to be greased and floured.

Although a Bundt pan has a beautiful shape, it can be hard to grease and flour all the fluted edges.  The easiest way to grease a Bundt pan is to spread the shortening in the pan with a paper towel.  Make sure to grease the entire surface including the tube in the center.


Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

Sprinkle some flour in the pan.


Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

Rotate the pan until the surface -- including the tube -- is coated with flour. If there's excess flour, remove it by turning the pan upside down and tapping the bottom.  The flour will fall right out.


Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

Bake the cake for the time listed on the box for the size pan you're using. If you're using a 9 x 13-inch pan, let the cake cool completely in the pan. Otherwise, let the cake cool 10 minutes before removing it from the pan to cool on a wire rack.


Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

When the cake is completely cool, frost it with pistachio frosting.  The original recipe called for the frosting to be made with Cool Whip, but I prefer to use Dream Whip, a powdered nondairy dessert topping.

Combine both pouches of Dream Whip with milk and a package of pistachio pudding mix.  If you prefer a smoother frosting, sift the pudding mix into the bowl with the Dream Whip to remove any nuts.


Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

The pudding mix gives the frosting a beautiful green color.  I like the pale shade of green, but you can add green food coloring if you prefer a brighter color.  Frost the cake and keep it stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.

The cake is green on the inside and outside making it a suitable dessert when you're "going green."


Margaret's Morsels | Pistachio Dream Cake

Pistachio Dream Cake
12 Servings

1 (18 1/4 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix
1 (3.4 oz.) pkg. instant pistachio pudding
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1 cup lemon lime soda (I use ginger ale)

Blend ingredients together in a bowl; beat 4 minutes with an electric mixer. Pour batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan.  Bake according to the time listed on the cake mix box.  Cool for 10 minutes.  Remove cake from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Pistachio Frosting

1 (2.6 oz.) box Dream Whip
1 (3.4 oz.) box instant pistachio pudding*
1 1/4 cups cold milk

Blend together and beat 4 minutes on high until light and fluffy.  Spread frosting on cake.  Store cake in a covered container in the refrigerator.

*For a smoother frosting, sift the pudding mix to remove any nuts.  Proceed as directed.


© Margaret's Morsels


  

18 comments:

  1. You had me at pistachio. This looks amazing! Thanks for linking up with the Happiness is Homemade link-up for this week!

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer! My family thinks it's a lot better tasting than corned beef and cabbage! Thanks for hosting the party:)

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  2. Great idea to add pistachio pudding for color (and, of course, flavor too). I'd forgotten all about dream whip. My mother in law always used it for my husband's birthday cake when he was a child.
    Thank you for linking, Margaret.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! I love recipes that use Dream Whip instead of Cool Whip. Thanks for hosting the party and for the opportunity to share the recipe!

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  3. I also bake this. But I don't use soda. I use chocolate syrup. I pour it into the batter and swirl it. And it gives it a great chocolatey and nutty flavor. My family loves it.

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  4. I love the idea of adding chocolate syrup!!!! Chocolate makes everything better:) I'm going to give it a try the next time I bake the cake. Thanks for the wonderful suggestion!

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  5. Your cake looks and sounds so awesome.
    TFS this at Cooking & Crafting with J & J.

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    1. Thanks, Julie! Thanks for hosting the party! I hope you have a great weekend.

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  6. I love anything pistachio and your cake looks so pretty, Margaret! Thank you for bringing this fun St Patrick's Day recipe to the Hearth and Soul Hop.

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    1. Thanks, April! Thanks for hosting the party! I hope you have a great weekend.

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  7. This sounds so delicious!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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    1. Thanks, Jess! Using a cake mix is a real time saving shortcut! Thanks for hosting the party.

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  8. I love pistachios, this cake sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!

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    1. Thanks, Joy! Thanks for hosting the party. I hope you have a great week.

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  9. That is delicious cake with pistachios I am in love it, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning and tweeting.

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    1. Thanks, Swathi! I appreciate the pin and tweet! Thanks for hosting the party. I hope you have a good week.

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  10. We would love this cake! Stopping by from Full Plate Thursday to say Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us. Have a great day and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thanks, Miz Helen! The cake mix makes this an easy to make dessert. Thanks for hosting the party. I hope you have a good week!

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