Almond Cupcakes with Pistachio Cream Cheese Frosting
February 26, 2025
Light, fluffy almond cupcakes with pistachio cream cheese frosting—perfect for St. Paddy’s Day or anytime you need a pistachio fix!
If you love pistachio as much as I do, get ready for your new favorite cupcake! I took a soft, almond-flavored cupcake (inspired by my love for Blue Bell’s Pistachio Almond ice cream!) and topped it with the most delicious pistachio cream cheese frosting ever. With St. Paddy’s Day coming up, I dressed them up in shamrock cupcakes liners and added a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top for a little crunch. Even if you’re not going all out for St. Patrick’s Day, consider this your perfect excuse to whip up a batch of these cupcakes!
Recipe Rundown
A Dreamy Pistachio Treat You Have to Try
Pistachio has always been one of my all-time favorite flavors, but I had never tried it in a cream cheese frosting before—until now. I started with my go-to cream cheese frosting base, added a touch of green food coloring, and mixed in pistachio extract. I’ve tested a few different brands, and while they all work well, the LorAnn version is my favorite. It even has a natural green hue, so you won’t need much extra coloring!
The Perfect Cupcake Pairing
When choosing the cupcake base, I knew almond was the way to go. Pillsbury recently came out with a creamy almond cake mix, and I am completely obsessed. It also felt like a fun nod to one of my favorite Blue Bell ice cream flavors—Pistachio Almond. The cupcakes bake up soft, fluffy, and full of that perfect almond flavor. And when you pair them with the pistachio cream cheese frosting? Omigosh. The combo is unreal! This frosting is easily one of my all-time favorites and definitely a must-try cream cheese variation.
A Festive Touch for St. Paddy’s Day
Since St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, I used shamrock cupcake liners to make them extra fun. These would be perfect for a spring brunch too. For a little extra spring crunch and color, sprinkle crushed Jordan almonds on top, and they’re all dressed up for spring!
FAQ
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. Frost them before serving for the best texture.
Can I use a different frosting?
Absolutely! While pistachio frosting is a perfect match, vanilla or almond buttercream would also taste great.
How do I store these cupcakes?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Where can I find pistachio extract?
You can find it online or in specialty baking stores. Check the link in the recipe for the one used here.
Sprinkle of Fun
St. Paddy’s Charades & Green Drinks! 🍀
Turn your cupcake moment into a full-on St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a St. Paddy’s Charades Night! Just cut out these fun prompts, toss them in a bowl, and take turns acting them out—no words allowed! Pair the game with some green cream soda (just add a few drops of food coloring to cream soda or lemon-lime soda), and you’ve got yourself the perfect themed treats.
St. Patrick’s Day Charades Prompts:
✂️ Cut these out and get the game started!
- Searching for a pot of gold
- Doing an Irish jig
- Chasing a leprechaun
- Finding a four-leaf clover
- Catching a rainbow
- Pinching someone not wearing green
- Kissing the Blarney Stone
- Drinking green soda (or beer!)
- Rolling a giant gold coin
- Making a wish on a lucky penny
- A leprechaun hiding his gold
- Finding a shamrock in a field
- Dancing in a parade
- Wearing a big green hat
- Tossing a gold coin in a fountain
- A rainbow appearing after the rain
- Waving an Irish flag
- A leprechaun playing tricks
- Getting lost in a field of clovers
- Finding a rainbow-colored cupcake
Cut, play, and don’t forget the cupcakes 😉 🍀✨
Almond Cupcakes with Pistachio Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 box Pillsbury Moist Supreme Creamy Almond Cake Mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- St. Patrick’s Day cupcake liners, if desired
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp pistachio extract- i used this one https://amzn.to/4ktFgOP
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy cream, only if needed
- Green food coloring
- Crushed pistachios for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with St. Patrick’s Day-themed cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond cake mix, whole milk, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, pistachio extract, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to high speed and mix until fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until the color is evenly distributed. Using an open round piping tip, pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes, or spread it with a knife. Sprinkle crushed pistachios on top and serve.
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