Lemon-Frosted Pistachio Cake for Dessert
Cakes & Cookies · David Scott Allen · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · TasteOver the years, we have hosted and attended many dinner parties. Usually, it’s a delightful occasion to visit with friends over a meal. Occasionally there is a theme like a milestone birthday or anniversary or a holiday. However, a dinner party based around the song “I never promised you a rose garden” well, that was a first. The task? To bringing a course for the meal that related to our interpretation of the song.
My contribution was this delicious Lemon-Frosted Pistachio Cake, a recipe by food writer and chef Nigel Slater.

Lemon-Frosted Pistachio Cake
The recipe for this delicious dessert is from The New York Times and is the creation of British chef Nigel Slater.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz butter
- 1 cup (125 g) + 1 tbsp superfine sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (125 g) pistachios unsalted, finely ground
- 1 cup (125 g) blanched almonds finely ground
- 1 orange for juice and finely grated zest
- 1 tsp rose water
- 1/2 cup (62 g) + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- pistachios shelled, whole, unsalted, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line the bottom of an 8-inch nonstick cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixer fitted with a paddle, cream together the butter and superfine sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, then add the ground pistachios and almonds.
- Add the orange juice, orange zest and rosewater, and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour; do not overmix.
- Scoop the mixture into the cake pan, and bake until the top is firm and a light golden brown, about 40 minutes.
- Lightly cover the top of the cake with foil and continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry, about 10 minutes more.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for several minutes, then remove and cool on a rack.
- When the cake is cool, mix the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice together in a small bowl, and pour over the cake.
- While the frosting is still soft, sprinkle with the whole shelled pistachios. Allow the icing to set for 30 minutes before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Artichokes Barigoule a Provencal Bistro ClassicRelated Provence Articles
A Sweet Pairing Recipe for Pear Frangipane Tart
October 20, 2021
Today’s recipe combines one of my recipes and one by my friend Inger, who writes The Art of Natural Living. She posted a pear frangipane tart sometime before Christmas, and I had been tasked with finding a Christmas dessert with a 1999 Château d’Yquem Sauternes (thanks, Lee!). Such a problem with the perfect solution. This …
Sacristains Sweet and Decadently Easy Recipe
December 11, 2018
sacristains (French word) is a little harder to classify, and the origins are equally mysterious. Made with puff pastry (pâte feuilletée) layers of sugar and almonds and a quick trip to the oven make this crispy treat...heavenly…
Fig Buttermilk Tart Made Easy
March 9, 2020
Sometimes, you have to wonder why great chefs don’t cut corners. I suppose that is why I am a cook and not a chef; occasionally, it just makes sense to skip a step for the same taste result. The recipe for this Fig and Buttermilk Custard Tart is a great example. The original version by …
Gâteau Saint-Honoré a Cake for Bakers
November 14, 2016
Gâteau Saint-Honoré is named for the classic French patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs, Saint Honoré. There are many steps to this recipe, but you will be rewarded by the sweet finish.…
4 Comments
The cake I want for my birthday
That cake would be delicious for your birthday, or any other reasonable excuse! Enjoy.
Or for no good reason at all! I’m making it this Sunday because it is Sunday.
Exactly, no excuse needed to make and eat cake. Have a great day!