The Tangy Dream: Pistachio Cheesecake Recipe With Nutty Topping

Creamy, decadent, and utterly irresistible, this pistachio cheesecake with pistachio topping brings a luxurious twist to classic desserts.

The rich, velvety filling showcases the nutty depth of pistachios in every single bite.

Smooth cream cheese blends perfectly with ground pistachios, creating a dessert that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Each slice promises a delightful balance of sweet and nutty flavors that dance across your palate.

The vibrant green topping adds a beautiful visual appeal and a delightful crunch to the creamy base.

Sprinkled with crushed pistachios, this dessert transforms an ordinary evening into a gourmet experience.

Get ready to impress and indulge in a slice of pure culinary magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 6+ hours

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Pistachio Cheesecake With Topping

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds delightful crunch and sweet base for the cheesecake, choose fine, fresh crumbs for best texture.
• Ground Pistachios: Introduces nutty flavor and green color, select fresh, vibrant green nuts for maximum taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps bind crust ingredients, use pure white sugar for consistent results.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps compress crust, ensure butter is high-quality and freshly melted.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, creamy texture, select full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for best consistency.
• Sugar: Balances flavors and sweetens cheesecake, use fine granulated sugar for smooth integration.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and moisture, choose full-fat variety for rich flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Increases richness and creates silky texture, select high-fat content cream.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine table salt.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and warmth, use pure extract for authentic taste.
• Pistachio Paste: Delivers intense nutty flavor, select high-quality, smooth paste.
• Cornstarch: Helps stabilize and thicken filling, ensure fresh and clump-free.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure, use fresh, room temperature eggs.

• White Chocolate: Creates creamy base for topping, choose high-quality chocolate with smooth melting properties.
• Pistachio Paste: Intensifies nutty flavor, select premium, smooth paste.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth consistency, use fresh, high-fat content cream.
• Chopped Pistachios: Adds crunch and visual appeal, select vibrant green, fresh nuts.

Tools for Pistachio Cheesecake Prep

• Electric mixer: Essential for beating cream cheese and creating smooth, creamy batter.
• 9-inch cake pan: Crucial for forming and baking the cheesecake base.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for preparing crust, batter, and topping.
• Spatula: Perfect for folding eggs and spreading topping evenly.
• Sifter: Helps incorporate cornstarch without lumps.
• Whisk: Useful for gently mixing eggs into the batter.
• Microwave or bain-marie: Helps melt chocolate for topping.
• Knife: Needed to release cheesecake from pan edges.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Instructions for Pistachio Cheesecake from Scratch

• Crust Preparation

Create a delightful base by mixing graham cracker crumbs with ground pistachios and a touch of sweetness. Press this crumbly mixture firmly into your cake pan, creating a solid foundation for the creamy masterpiece.

• Cheesecake Batter

Whip room-temperature cream cheese until silky smooth, blending in pistachio paste for that signature nutty flavor. Gently incorporate eggs, creating a luxurious, velvety mixture that promises pure indulgence.

• Baking Magic

Carefully bake the cheesecake at a low temperature, allowing it to set slowly and develop a dreamy, creamy texture. The secret is patience – let it cool gradually to prevent cracking and ensure a perfect, smooth finish.

• Pistachio Topping

Craft a luscious topping by melting white chocolate with pistachio paste, creating a glossy, rich drizzle. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios for a delightful crunch that adds visual and textural excitement.

• Serving Delight

Chill the cheesecake thoroughly, then unveil your masterpiece. Slice carefully, revealing the creamy layers and inviting pistachio-studded surface that promises an unforgettable dessert experience.

Tips for a Silky Pistachio Finish

• Replace traditional graham crackers with shortbread or digestive cookies for a richer, more buttery crust texture.
• Pat cream cheese completely dry before mixing to prevent excess liquid and ensure a perfectly smooth, dense cheesecake consistency.
• Always use room-temperature ingredients to create a silky, lump-free batter that blends seamlessly and bakes evenly.
• Sprinkle extra chopped pistachios, drizzle melted white chocolate, or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch that elevates visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Serving Pistachio Cheesecake the Delicious Way

• Elegant Dessert Companion: Pair this rich pistachio cheesecake with a delicate lavender tea or espresso to enhance the nutty flavor profile.
• Garnish Extravaganza: Sprinkle extra chopped pistachios, edible gold flakes, or crushed rose petals around the cake plate for a stunning visual presentation that elevates the dessert experience.
• Temperature Perfection: Serve slightly chilled but not completely cold, allowing the cheesecake's creamy texture to shine and the pistachio flavors to develop fully on the palate.
• Celebration Centerpiece: Create a sophisticated dessert table featuring this cheesecake as the star, complemented by small pistachio truffles or delicate almond cookies for a cohesive and impressive spread.

How to Store This Nutty Cheesecake

• Fridge Storage Magic: Keep your pistachio cheesecake tightly wrapped in plastic film or sealed container for up to 5 days. The cool environment maintains its smooth texture and prevents absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing Friendly: Slice the cheesecake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cheesecake can stay delicious for 2-3 months without losing its creamy quality.
• Room Temperature Rest: Before serving, let the cheesecake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. This gentle warming helps restore its silky texture and enhances the nuanced pistachio flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Masterpiece: Prepare the entire cheesecake up to 2 days in advance. Keep it refrigerated and add the pistachio topping just before serving to maintain the chocolate's glossy appearance and prevent potential moisture absorption.

Dreamy Pistachio Cheesecake

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 6+ hours
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich layers of Pistachio Cheesecake highlight nutty Mediterranean flavors with creamy smooth texture. Pastry chefs craft this elegant dessert for memorable sweet experiences you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 480 g (17 oz) full-fat cream cheese
• 200 g (7 oz) white chocolate
• 50 g (1.8 oz) pistachio paste
• 40 g (1.4 oz) pistachio paste
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups graham crackers crumbs
• ½ cup pistachios, ground (unsalted)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 100 g (3.5 oz) sour cream
• 90 g (3.2 oz) butter, melted
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ cup pistachios, chopped

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Instructions

1. Crust Creation: Pulverize graham crackers and pistachios with granulated sugar, then blend thoroughly with melted butter to form a cohesive, glossy mixture.
2. Crust Preparation: Press the crumb mixture firmly into a 9-inch cake pan, ensuring an even, compact base. Toast in a preheated oven at 180°C for 5-8 minutes, then cool completely.
3. Cheesecake Batter: Whip cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla into a silky blend using an electric mixer. Integrate pistachio paste until color is uniform, then gently sift cornstarch to eliminate potential lumps.
4. Baking Process: Fold whisked eggs into the batter delicately, maintaining an airy consistency. Pour the velvety mixture onto the prepared crust, tapping to remove air bubbles. Bake at 140°C for approximately 1 hour, watching for set edges and a subtle center wobble.
5. Cooling Technique: Allow the cheesecake to cool gradually in the oven with the door slightly ajar for 1-2 hours. Refrigerate wrapped for a minimum of 5 hours or overnight.
6. Pistachio Topping: Melt white chocolate, pistachio paste, and heavy cream using a microwave or bain-marie method until smooth and glossy. Fold in chopped pistachios.
7. Finishing Touch: Release the cheesecake from the pan by running a knife along the edges. Spread the pistachio topping evenly across the surface using a spatula, creating an elegant and appetizing presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Crust Crumbling: Press graham cracker and pistachio mixture firmly into the pan to create a solid, compact base that won’t fall apart when serving.
• Master Smooth Batter: Use room temperature cream cheese and mix at low speed to avoid incorporating air bubbles, ensuring a silky, crack-free cheesecake texture.
• Control Baking Precision: Watch the cheesecake closely during baking; a slight wobble in the center indicates perfect doneness, preventing overbaking and dry results.
• Optimize Cooling Strategy: Gradual cooling prevents surface cracks by allowing the cheesecake to settle slowly, so never remove it abruptly from the oven.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg