Creamy Pistachio Treat

Featured in Sweet treats that make you happy.

This pistachio dessert skips eggs, making it super easy to prepare. With pistachio paste, mascarpone, and coffee-soaked ladyfingers, it’s an effortless twist on an Italian-style dish. Let it chill to set, and you’ve got an impressive dessert ready to wow. Minimal work, amazing taste!
Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:50:35 GMT
A bowl of creamy pistachio goodness. Pin it
A bowl of creamy pistachio goodness. | tastyhush.com

Your first bite of Pistachio Tiramisu will hit you with that incredible surprise moment - the sweet, nutty pistachio cream combined with coffee-soaked ladyfingers creates something familiar yet totally fresh. This clever twist on the classic Italian dessert keeps all the smooth texture and stunning layers you love while adding sophisticated nutty flavors. In my family, this has become the knockout finale that always leaves guests begging for my recipe.

Just last month, I served this at a dinner where one friend kept boasting about being super picky with authentic Italian tiramisu. By the end of the meal, he was asking for seconds and couldn't stop talking about how perfectly the pistachios complemented the coffee notes.

Essential Components and Selection Tips

  • Pistachio Paste: Look for the unsweetened kind without added oils. Sicilian paste offers the most intense flavor and vivid green color.
  • Mascarpone: Choose one that's creamy and dense. Brands like Galbani or BelGioioso will give you the authentic taste you want.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Grab one with at least 36% fat content to ensure it whips properly and maintains its structure.
  • Ladyfingers: Authentic Italian savoiardi are your best bet as they absorb moisture perfectly. The imported varieties really do make a difference.
A dessert with a white and brown filling. Pin it
A dessert with a white and brown filling. | tastyhush.com

Simple Preparation Instructions

Gather Your Items:
Measure everything and let ingredients reach room temperature. Brew 1½ cups strong coffee and allow it to cool completely.
Create Your Pistachio Foundation:
Combine ⅓ cup pistachio paste with ¼ cup heavy cream until completely smooth.
Prepare The Creamy Element:
Add 16 oz mascarpone, 1 tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy for about 2-3 minutes.
Whip The Cream:
In a separate bowl, beat 1¾ cups heavy cream with 3 tbsp sugar until firm peaks form.
Combine Your Mixtures:
Gently fold the whipped cream into your pistachio mixture in three portions to maintain airiness.
Enhance The Coffee:
Mix your cooled coffee with 1 tsp pistachio extract for added flavor depth.
Soak The Ladyfingers:
Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the coffee (no more than 1-2 seconds) and arrange in a single layer in a 9x9-inch dish.
Apply Your Initial Layer:
Spread half of your pistachio cream mixture over the ladyfingers, ensuring even coverage to the edges.
Create Another Layer:
Repeat with another row of coffee-dipped ladyfingers, then top with the remaining pistachio cream.
Add Final Touches:
Drizzle some thinned pistachio paste on top and scatter chopped pistachios across the surface.
Chill Thoroughly:
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but leaving it overnight works even better.
Proper Serving:
Remove from the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to let it warm slightly before cutting.

I created this pistachio version after traveling through Sicily, where I fell completely in love with their bright green pistachio desserts.

The way you stack the layers truly impacts both appearance and taste. Try placing ladyfingers in alternating directions between layers - this adds structural support and ensures even coffee distribution.

This Pistachio Tiramisu balances tradition and innovation beautifully. The classic tiramisu structure serves as the perfect foundation for showcasing rich, nutty pistachio flavors.

Using an egg-free approach keeps the process straightforward while still delivering that incredible airy softness that makes tiramisu so irresistible.

For a fancy finishing touch, garnish each portion with a few whole pistachios, a small sprig of fresh mint, or a light sprinkling of powdered sugar just before serving.

A white bowl filled with a dessert. Pin it
A white bowl filled with a dessert. | tastyhush.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can it be made in advance?
Definitely! It tastes even better when prepped early. Leave it in the fridge for at least four hours or up to a whole day.
→ Is alcohol necessary for the recipe?
Nope! Skip the amaretto or any booze for an alcohol-free dessert that’s still full of flavor.
→ Where do you find pistachio paste?
Check online, Italian stores, or specialty markets. You can also make your own by blending roasted pistachios, sugar, and a bit of oil.
→ How long will it keep in the fridge?
In an airtight container, it’ll stay fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator.
→ Can it be frozen for later?
Yes! Wrap it well and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Pistachio Treat No Eggs

This no-egg pistachio dessert pairs coffee-saturated ladyfingers with whipped pistachio mascarpone for a smooth and rich treat.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 10 Servings (Makes one 9x9-inch dessert)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
02 45 ladyfingers (two 3.5 oz packs)
03 1¾ cups cold heavy cream, divided (290g)
04 1 cup smooth mascarpone cheese, room temperature (8 oz)
05 ⅔ cup pistachio paste, homemade or store-bought (173g)
06 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 ½ teaspoon almond flavoring
08 1 tablespoon amaretto or similar alcohol (optional)
09 ⅓ cup sugar, granulated (73g)
10 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
11 ¼ teaspoon pistachio extract

→ For Decoration

12 Crushed pistachios for sprinkling
13 Diluted pistachio paste (add water if it's too thick)

Instructions

Step 01

In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy cream along with sugar until the mixture holds stiff peaks, either using hand beaters or a stand mixer. Set this aside for later.

Step 02

Combine pistachio paste with about ¼ cup of heavy cream in a mixing bowl and whisk until completely smooth. Add mascarpone cheese, almond extract, vanilla, and salt. Keep mixing until you get a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.

Step 03

Carefully fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, using a spatula, until everything is smooth and combined. Don't overmix. Put this filling aside for assembling.

Step 04

In a shallow dish or bowl, mix the brewed coffee with pistachio extract and a splash of liquor, if you're using it. Stir well.

Step 05

Quickly dip about half the ladyfingers into the coffee mix one by one, making sure they're not completely soaked. Lay them flat in a single layer across the bottom of a 9x9-inch square pan. Add half of the creamy filling, spreading it evenly over the top.

Step 06

Repeat the process with the remaining ladyfingers, dipping each into the coffee mixture. Place them on top of the first layer. Finish by spreading the rest of the cream evenly onto the top layer.

Step 07

Spread a little pistachio paste on top (water it down for easier spreading if needed), and sprinkle chopped pistachios over it. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving, though you can leave it overnight, too.

Notes

  1. A pistachio-packed twist gives this creamy dessert an egg-free upgrade from the classic.
  2. Chilling for at least 2 hours is key for the best texture and flavor.
  3. Make ahead—it'll stay perfect for up to a day before you're ready to serve it.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x9-inch square pan
  • Stand mixer or hand beaters with whisk attachment
  • Spatula for folding
  • Shallow dish for dipping coffee

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from heavy cream and mascarpone
  • Includes tree nuts (pistachios)
  • Ladyfingers may contain gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 362
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
  • Protein: 7 g