One of the easiest desserts to make, but one that you will get asked to make over and over. This pistachio dessert is a family favorite that was passed down from my husband’s grandma. It’s layers of sugar cookie crust, pistachio pudding and whipped cream. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy! Let me show you how to make this pistachio pudding dessert today!

This recipe was passed down to me from my husband’s grandma. She was technically my grandma in law, but she was just gramma to me. It’s one that she would make for every family event and church get together. I updated the original post, which was a whole story about her and this recipe. You can read the original below. ? ?

What is pistachio dessert?

This easy dessert recipe goes by a couple different names. We always called it grandma’s pistachio dessert (and still do!), but it is also known as pistachio pudding dessert, pistachio layered dessert or pistachio pudding bars. Not to be confused with pistachio fluff dessert which is a no bake dessert.

All mean the same thing – one delicious treat! This pistachio dessert is made with a homemade cookie crust, topped with pistachio pudding and then whipped cream. You can make each layer homemade or you can save some time and use pre-made options as well. It is made in a 9×13 baking dish and then sliced into bars for serving.

Pistachio pudding dessert ingredients

You can break this pudding layer dessert into three parts – the cookie crust, the pistachio pudding layer and the whipped topping. I like to make a homemade crust and topping with instant pudding. For that you will need:

• sugar
• butter
• egg
• vanilla extract
• flour
• salt
• baking soda
• cream of tartar
• instant pistachio pudding mix
• milk
• heavy whipping cream

Sugar – Plain white sugar works best for the cookie crust and the homemade whipped cream part.

Butter – Unsalted butter will work here. Make sure to leave it on the counter to soften before starting this recipe.

Cream of tartar – This is the secret ingredient that keeps the cookie crust soft and chewy. You can find it in the baking aisle.

Pistachio pudding – I like to use instant pistachio pudding for this recipe. You can make homemade pistachio pudding, if you have the extra time.

Heavy whipping cream – This is for the homemade whipped cream topping. Feel free to make homemade whipped cream or grab a tub of Cool Whip, whichever you prefer.

How to make pistachio dessert

Once you have gathered all of your ingredients, you will also want to grab – mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, hand mixer and a spatula.

Step 1 Make the cookie crust Start by creaming the butter and the sugar together. Add in the egg and mix well. Add in the rest of the dry ingredients to form the cookie crust.

Step 2 Bake the cookie crust Press the cookie crust into the bottom of a prepared 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Step 3 Make the pudding While the cookie crust is cooling, make the instant pudding. Add 2 cups of cold milk to a bowl and whisk the pudding mix until smooth. Allow to set.

Step 4 Add the pudding Pour the chilled pudding over the cooled cookie crust and smooth with a spatula. Place in the fridge.

Step 5 Make the whipped cream Add the heavy cream to a bowl and mix with a handheld mixer until soft peaks form. Add in the sugar and vanilla. Spread the whipped cream over the pistachio layer.

Step 6 Chill and serve Place the finished pistachio pudding layer dessert in the fridge to firm up. I suggest at least 1 hour. Then slice into bars and serve.

Can I use a pre-made cookie dough?

Yes! You can absolutely use pre-made cookie dough for the crust of this dessert. You can either use the stuff in the tub, tube or even the sugar cookie squares. You would just skip the cookie dough prep portion and press the dough into your prepared baking dish.

What size baking dish do I need?

You will need a 9×13 baking dish for this pistachio dessert recipe. I suggest using a clear glass baking dish to keep the cook time the same. Also, be sure to grease your baking dish before adding the cookie dough to the bottom.

How do I prepare my baking dish?

You will want to grease your baking dish prior to filling it with this pistachio pudding dessert. Grease it with cooking spray, oil or even butter. Just make sure to get all the corners so the cookie dough crust doesn’t stick.

How to store leftovers

Cover the baking dish with cling wrap or foil and place in the fridge. The pistachio dessert will stay fresh for 3 days. Remove, slice a square and enjoy throughout the week.

Can this pistachio layer dessert be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make this dessert a few days before you need it. Follow the directions as written and cover the baking dish. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Can I freeze this pistachio dessert?

It is not recommended that you freeze the entire completed dessert. You can make and freeze the cookie dough crust to have for later, but the pudding won’t freeze and thaw well.

Tips and tricks

This is a pretty simple dessert recipe, but some tips to make it even easier are:

• Use pre-made cookie dough to cut your time in half.
• Use a whisk for the pudding mix but a handheld mixer for the whipped topping.
• You can also use pre-made whipped cream instead of homemade.
• A spatula works best for spreading the pudding and whipped topping.
• Add chopped pistachios to the top of your dessert.
• To keep your slices clean, pull the knife up after each cut and wipe it off.

Other pistachio desserts to try

Love this easy pistachio dessert? I suggest trying:

• Pistachio fluff
• Pistachio shortbread
• Pistachio cake
• No bake pistachio pie

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Did you make this recipe? I’d love for you to leave a review in the recipe card above or the comments below. Want to make it later? Pin the image below to your favorite dessert board. THANK YOU so much for the support!

Original recipe back story

This is a family recipe and the original post was updated March 2022. I want to remember the words and story from the original post forever so I added them below. Feel free to read them. To grandma’s everyone.

When I was younger, my grandma was my best friend in the whole world.  We would shop together, do our nails, cook at home and dream about the future.  She always said she couldn’t wait til I was 16 so that I would be able to drive over whenever I wanted.  It makes me so incredibly sad to think that never happened.  She passed away when I was still in middle school and gah I still miss her something fierce. 

I still have dreams about her though.  Her coming down the stairs in her house and saying hello.  And her sitting in front of her vanity in the bedroom doing her hair just right.  I literally cling to those dreams when I wake up.

It also makes me sad that my kids will never know my grandma.  She would have spoiled them even more then she did us, if that is possible.  I am so incredibly happy that my kids got to know Ryon’s grandparents before they passed though.  They called them “grandma and grandpa” even though they were their great grandparents. 

And boy did they get spoiled.  Grandpa would love to send the kids gifts for every holiday.  We will have stickers for many, many, many years to come because those were his favorite thing to send.

Grandma was known for her cooking and gardening.  This pistachio dessert was her specialty.  I’m sure it has another name, but everyone has called it “grandma’s pistachio dessert” for as long as I’ve known.  It is a treat when we make it and we love to talk about grandma and grandpa while we take bites. 

It’s easy to make and whenever we had a church potluck or family event, grandma would have this dessert in tow.

When grandpa passed away, we took the kids to the funeral.  We explained to them that grandpa was with Jesus and was no longer sick.  Ryley, in her beautiful innocence looked up at the casket and said “He went to Jesus in his treasure box!”  That sentence.  That sweet sentence from my 4 year old baby girl.  It still makes me tear up and it probably always will.  Yes, my love.  He went to Jesus in his treasure box.

Grandma passed away a few months after grandpa.  She just couldn’t be without him.  At her funeral, pastor pulled out a giant picture of Jesus pulling caskets from a field and placed it in front for us all to see.  The message was so beautiful – Jesus would come back for all of us, even after we left this world in our treasure boxes.  Pastor crafted a whole sermon around what Ryley had said just a few months earlier.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44 

The kids still remember and talk about grandma and grandpa.  Mostly because they had an old Mickey train set that all the great grandkids loved to play with when they visited.  But Ryley always mentions their treasure boxes.  “They are with Jesus in their treasure boxes, right mommy?”  Oh sweet girl.  They are. 

I am so glad that my kids have sweet memories (aside from the treasure boxes and train set) of their great grandparents.  We will do whatever we can to carry on their memory as well.  Like with grandma’s pistachio dessert and fun stories of grandpa putzing around the yard.