Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake Recipe

Get ready to fall head over heels for this Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake! Every bite is a perfectly balanced harmony of nutty pistachio flavor, fluffy crumb, and creamy filling, all topped with a crunchy pistachio streusel and a glossy pistachio icing. This showstopping cake isn’t just beautiful to look at, it’s incredibly satisfying to eat—perfect for a cozy afternoon with coffee or to share with friends at any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the most beautiful things about this cake is just how approachable the ingredients are. Each element— from the raw nuts to the creamy vegan butter— works together to create layers of flavor and texture that’ll make this Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake something truly special.

• Raw Shelled Pistachios: These give the cake its signature nutty flavor, tender crumb, and lovely green tint.
• All-Purpose Flour: The essential base for both the cake and crumb topping, providing structure and softness.
• Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps create that irresistible golden crust.
• Vegan Butter: Use a block-style version for the richest taste and the perfect crumbly streusel.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leaveners ensure the cake rises beautifully and stays tender.
• Sea Salt: Just a pinch intensifies the delightful nutty flavors.
• Soy Milk: Adds moisture to the batter; almond or oat milk also work well.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda for extra fluffiness—lemon juice works in a pinch.
• Vegan Greek-Style Yogurt: This thick, creamy addition gives the cake a rich, moist texture.
• Vanilla & Almond Extract: Both extracts round out the flavors and amplify the pistachio notes.
• Vegan Pistachio Cream Spread: This dreamy filling brings out a double punch of pistachio flavor, making every bite a delight.
• Powdered Sugar: For the glaze and a dainty dusting before serving.

How to Make Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Before you begin, preheat your oven to 160°C (fan-forced) or 180°C (conventional). Line the base and sides of a 7.5 or 8-inch springform cake pan with parchment paper for easy release and set aside. Doing this first guarantees all your batter goes straight into the oven the moment it’s ready—no scrambling!

Step 2: Make the Pistachio Crumb Topping

In a food processor, blend the raw pistachios, flour, and sugar just until the nuts are roughly ground. Add the cold vegan butter and pulse a few more times until the mixture looks like clumpy sand. Set this aside—it’s going to make the top of your Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake incredibly crunchy and inviting.

Step 3: Mix Up the Dry Ingredients

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt into a large bowl. Stir to combine and set aside. This simple step ensures an even rise and a soft crumb throughout the entire cake.

Step 4: Make the Vegan Buttermilk

Pour the soy milk into a mixing jug and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a minute or two; you’ll notice it thickens slightly. This is vegan buttermilk magic at work—it helps make the cake moist and tender.

Step 5: Blend Pistachios and Sugar

In your food processor or blender, blitz the remaining pistachios and sugar together until you get a fine, powdery mixture. This ensures every bite of the cake is packed with nutty goodness.

Step 6: Cream the Butter and Pistachio Sugar

Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the room temperature vegan butter for about a minute until fluffy. Pour in the pistachio sugar mixture, then beat for another 2 minutes, creating a light and airy base for your cake.

Step 7: Combine Wet Ingredients

Add the vegan yogurt, vanilla extract, and almond extract to your butter mixture. Whisk until everything’s silky smooth and you can’t help but sneak a taste.

Step 8: Make the Cake Batter

Alternately add the vegan buttermilk and dry ingredients into your wet mixture in two stages, whisking gently after each addition. Go slow and avoid overmixing—this keeps the batter tender and luscious.

Step 9: Assemble the Cake

Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Carefully layer the vegan pistachio cream spread over the batter, using an offset spatula to make a smooth layer but being mindful not to press it in too much. Top with the remaining cake batter, smooth the surface, and sprinkle over all that glorious pistachio crumb topping.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide your cake into the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs. If there’s still wet batter, bake for an additional 5 minutes at a time, checking as you go.

Step 11: Cool and Glaze

Let your cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully releasing it to cool completely on a wire rack. Make the pistachio icing by whisking together the vegan pistachio cream, powdered sugar, and a splash of soy milk until smooth. Once your cake is cool, dust with extra powdered sugar and drizzle on the luscious glaze.

How to Serve Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake

Garnishes

Add a final flourish with a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, a little extra dusting of powdered sugar, or even some edible rose petals for a beautiful color contrast. These finishing touches will make your Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake irresistibly inviting and picture-perfect.

Side Dishes

This delight pairs beautifully with a hot mug of coffee or tea. You can serve it alongside fresh fruit—think orange slices or berries—to brighten up the plate and balance the cake’s richness. A dollop of vegan whipped cream or yogurt adds a creamy counterpoint that’s swoon-worthy.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing the cake into slim wedges and serving on individual dessert plates for an elegant treat. If you’re hosting a brunch, cut the cake into squares for a buffet-style presentation. For maximum wow factor, stack two cakes with extra pistachio cream between them and ice the whole thing for a special occasion centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake covered at room temperature for up to two days—it stays moist and fragrant. If you want to make it last a little longer, store in an airtight container in the fridge where it’ll keep for up to five days.

Freezing

The good news? This cake freezes beautifully! Slice it and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then pop into a freezer bag. It’ll keep its flavor and texture perfectly for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you love your coffee cake warm, gently reheat slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or in a low oven wrapped in foil for a few minutes. The icing will soften just enough, and the cake will taste freshly baked!

FAQs

Can I use a different plant-based milk instead of soy?

Absolutely! Almond milk and oat milk both work well and won’t affect the final flavor or texture. Just use the same quantity as indicated for soy milk in the recipe.

What if I can’t find vegan pistachio cream?

No problem at all! You can make your own at home with raw pistachios, a little sweetener, and your plant milk of choice. Alternatively, another nut or seed butter with a mild flavor can stand in, though pistachio really makes this coffee cake shine.

Can I make this Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute a reliable 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Just be sure your other ingredients, like baking powder, are gluten-free as well.

Why is there no coffee in Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake?

Classic coffee cakes don’t usually contain coffee themselves—the name comes from the tradition of serving them with a cup of coffee. Of course, this pistachio-packed version pairs delightfully with your favorite hot brew!

Can I make the cake in advance?

Definitely! This pistachio coffee cake can be baked a day ahead. Store it covered at room temperature, and glaze just before serving so it looks its best.

Final Thoughts

If you want a treat that’s outrageously flavorful, tender, and a total stunner, you absolutely have to give this Vegan Pistachio Coffee Cake a try. It’s one of those recipes that turns a simple afternoon into a celebration. I can’t wait for you to share it with good friends—or just enjoy it all to yourself!

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