Cinnamon Streusel Pistachio Bread

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This quick pistachio bread is made from a cake mix and pudding mix. You’ll love the cinnamon sugar swirl in the middle and the cinnamon sugar topping. It’s great as a breakfast bread, but also as a dessert.

One flavor that does not get the attention it deserves is pistachio. I’ll be honest. I’m not a fan of eating a bowl of plain pistachio pudding. I don’t like the little bits of nuts in my smooth, creamy pudding.

But pistachio cakes and breads are a totally different story.

With spring on its way, this Cinnamon Streusel Pistachio Bread comes to mind. The light green color makes it ideal for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

cinnamon-streusel-pistachio-bread-recipe

About this Pistachio Bread recipe:

  • Flavor: This bread has the flavor of a coffee cake. Cinnamon, nuts, and a sweet glaze.
  • Texture: The texture of the bread is light and fluffy, thanks to the cake mix as its base. The pudding and sour cream make it extra moist and the nuts give it a little crunch in the topping.
  • Method: It takes about 15 minutes to get this bread ready for the oven. It bakes in two 9×5″ loaf pans. If the loaf pans you have are a little smaller, add at least 5 minutes to the baking time.

Ingredients

ingredients for pistachio bread on a table
  • Use any brand of cake mix you’d like, as long as it fits a traditional 9×13″ cake pan.
  • Sugar free pudding will work as well as regular instant pudding.
  • Don’t have sour cream? You can use Greek yogurt as well which ups the protein in this cake.
  • There is no baking soda, baking powder or salt needed because that is all included in the cake mix.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pistachio Bread

  • Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray two 9×5″ loaf pans with cooking spray. Line the pans with parchment paper if you want to ensure they come out cleanly. You can also use Baker’s Joy pan release.
  • Mix the cake batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, eggs oil, pudding mix and sour cream. Beat until all of the ingredients are well blended into a thick batter. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans on a table
  • Mix the streusel. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the sugar streusel.
  • Assemble the bread. Spread half of the batter into the two prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the batter (keep the other half of the streusel aside for the topping), dividing it between the two pans. Repeat the layers, adding the remaining bread batter and the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
unbaked cinnamon sugar pistachio bread in loaf pans
  • Bake the bread. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your loaf pans. A toothpick inserted into the center of the bread should come out clean.
overhead view of pistachio bread with glaze

Powdered Sugar Glaze

Although some of my favorite powdered sugar glaze recipes have a handful of ingredients, this has simply two: powdered sugar and heavy cream. With all of the flavors in the bread, that’s all that is needed.

Add the heavy cream to the powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until it is the perfect drizzling consistency. Use a whisk to whisk the glaze smooth.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.

cinnamon-streusel-pistachio-bread-recipe

Why does my pistachio bread sink in the middle?

The main cause of quick breads sinking in the middle is that it is not baked all the way through.

It can be hard to tell if a loaf cake is done inside. The easiest way to test is with a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake. It should be mostly clean or have a few moist crumbs. There should be no batter.

Don’t open the oven door

Another reason the bread can fall in the middle is if you open the door to the oven during baking. Yes, you may have to check the bread when the time is up and the bread looks done through the glass window, but otherwise, keep the door to the oven closed to prevent uneven temperatures.

closeup of a loaf of pistachio bread on a table

Storage Instructions

Store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

This loaf cake also freezes really well. Wrap in plastic wrap, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve the bread, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw completely at room temperature before opening the container. This will help keep the bread fresh.

closeup of a loaf of pistachio bread with glaze
closeup of a loaf of pistachio bread with glaze

Pistachio Bread

4.70 from 33 votes
This cinnamon streusel pistachio bread is made from a cake mix and pudding mix. You’ll love the cinnamon sugar swirl in the middle and the cinnamon sugar topping.
Servings 20 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 1 package yellow cake mix Betty Crocker, 15.25 ounces
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 small box instant pistachio pudding mix 3.4 ounces
  • 1 cup sour cream

Sugar Mixture:

Glaze, optional:

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray two 9×5" loaf pans with cooking spray. Line the pans with parchment paper if you want to ensure they come out cleanly. You can also use Baker's Joy pan release.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, eggs oil, pudding mix and sour cream. Beat until all of the ingredients are well blended into a thick batter. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Spread half of the batter into the two prepared loaf pans.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the sugar streusel.
  • Sprinkle half of the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the batter (keep the other half of the streusel aside for the topping), dividing it between the two pans.
  • Repeat the layers, adding the remaining bread batter and the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your loaf pans. A toothpick inserted into the center of the bread should come out clean.
  • Allow the bread to cool for at least 20 minutes before you remove it from the pans. Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack.
  • If you'd like a simple glaze on top, combine 1 cup powdered sugar and a few tablespoons of milk or heavy cream in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and until it is thin enough to drizzle.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the bread, slice and serve.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

  • Add a drop or two of green food coloring if you’d like a brighter green color.
  •  
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the bread being cut into 10 slices each, with 1 serving being 1 slice of bread. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Serving: 79g | Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 249
Keyword cake mix recipe, easy quick bread

 

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About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
8 years ago

This is great!!

Cheryl
5 years ago

Has anyone ever put in extra chopped pistachios?

Anonymous
5 years ago

Great job! I’m a pastry Chef just browsing. Looking for some ideas for quick breakfast breads for large crowds. I’m going to try your recipe. I don’t have any pistachio pudding mix so I’m going to substitute pistachio paste instead and I think I’ll mix some chopped pistachios in the streusel as well. Excited to try this!

Bestgammy
6 years ago

wouldn’t it be better to put pistachios instead of pecans or walnuts in the sugar mixture?

Tina Marie
8 years ago

Sounds delicious! I love how the cake is green to fit in the upcoming holiday. This would be great to take to work as a treat.

Fern Bradley
9 years ago

Anxious to try your pistachio bread recipe. I make a pistachio cake at Xmas (green, get it?)
And it is always a super hit. If you are interested in trying the recipe email me and I will send it to you. It has a fab pudding and cool whip frosting!

Kelly
8 years ago

This looks amazing! Love how easy it is to make and the color is just gorgeous!

Krystle Smith
8 years ago

That topping looks SO good!

Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
8 years ago

This looks so moist and delicious!

Holly Waterfall
8 years ago

That streusel though! and the drizzle!

Liz
8 years ago

Years ago, I made a pistachio cake, but had forgotten all about it till now! Your bread looks even better!!! Pinning!

Megan @ MegUnprocessed
8 years ago

This looks so delicious! I always love a cinnamon bread!

Ashley - Baker by Nature
8 years ago

What a stunning loaf!

Lizzy T
10 years ago

Thank you for stopping by, Molly, and thank you for including our bread in your round-up! 🙂 Have a great day!

Chrystal @ YUM eating
10 years ago

I am a huge fan of Pistachios and this bread looks so amazing! I am going to have to add this to my list of recipes to try. Beautiful.