Description
Silky pistachio cheesecake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, nutty essence and creamy texture. Garnished with crushed pistachios, this elegant treat brings Mediterranean charm to your table, promising pure indulgence in every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
- ½ cup finely ground pistachios
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3.4 ounces / 96 grams) box instant pistachio pudding mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping:
- ½ cup chopped pistachios
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C), creating the ideal baking environment for a perfect pistachio cheesecake.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, finely ground pistachios, granulated sugar, and melted butter in a mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture reaches a uniform, slightly crumbly consistency.
- Transfer the crumb mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, using the back of a spoon or flat-bottomed measuring cup to press the mixture firmly and evenly across the bottom, creating a compact and stable crust.
- Place the prepared crust in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, allowing the butter to help bind the ingredients and develop a light golden color. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely while preparing the cheesecake filling.
Notes
- Toast pistachios lightly before grinding to enhance their nutty flavor and release deeper aromatic oils.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to achieve a smoother, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends seamlessly.
- Consider wrapping the springform pan’s exterior with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping into the crust during baking in a water bath.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to maintain the same crunchy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg