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 Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission.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
Tarte aux Citron a Lemon Recipe from the French Riviera
May 16, 2025
It is possible that lemon tarts were created to tempt the resolve of non-dessert eaters. The irresistible recipe below combines tart citrus and sweet lemony cream. While bakers worldwide craft fabulous lemon tarts, we wanted to showcase this tarte aux citron from Nice. This dessert is la Tarta al Limoun in Niçoise and has three …
Make this Molten Chocolate Cake for Your Valentine
February 2, 2022
You should, of course, celebrate your sweetheart every day, not just on Valentine’s. However, if you want to create an occasion out of February 14th, make this molten chocolate cake for that special person. The fondant au chocolat was the conclusion to a delicious Valentine’s menu from the Mirabeau Wine kitchen. This melting-in-the-middle chocolate cake …
Banana Tarte Tatin a Variation on the Classic
April 9, 2021
The origin of the Apple Tarte Tatin aux Pommes is rooted in France’s Loire Valley in the small town of Lamotte-Beuvron. Born out of an unintended mistake in the kitchen, this tarte is the sweet result. At the time, the two Tatin sisters, Stéphanie and Caroline, owned and operated the Hôtel Tatin. They also served …
Apple Tarte Tatin a Classic French Dessert
May 4, 2020
The culinary origin of the apple tarte Tatin (aux pommes) is rooted in Lamotte-Beuvron, a small town France's Loire Valley and the Hôtel Tatin.…
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!