– 1 cup (48g) shelled pistachios, finely crushed (We used dry roasted, salted pistachios. If using unsalted pistachios, you can add ½ teaspoon of salt when mixing the dry ingredients.) – ▢1 ½ sticks (170g) unsalted butter, softened. (holds it shape but dents when pressed) – ▢2 cups (400g) sugar – ▢4 large eggs, room temperature (If in a hurry, place in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.) – ▢3 cups (342g) cake flour See notes for substitution if needed. (If not using a scale, lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level off). – ▢2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder – ▢½ teaspoon (3g) baking soda – ▢1 ½ cups (352g) buttermilk See notes for substitution if needed. – ▢⅓ cup (68g) vegetable oil (We use canola oil.) – ▢2 teaspoons (8g) almond extract – ▢1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING – ▢3 sticks (339g) unsalted butter, slightly softened – ▢16 oz cream cheese (total weight 452g),softened. (We use two 8 oz packages) Full fat is best. – ▢6 ½-7 cups (747g-805g) powdered sugar (We like Dominos or US Sugar (Costco)) – ▢2 teaspoons vanilla extract (8g) – ▢½ teaspoon salt (2g) ASSEMBLY CAKE DECORATION – ▢More crushed pistachios to sprinkle on top (optional)
Blend finely shelled pistachios. A little bullet blender was used. Measure and store 1 cup.Heat oven to 350 F. Butter and flour three 8-inch round pans and line with parchment or wax paper.
In a medium basin, mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda for 30 seconds. Set apartMix buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla, and almond extract in another small bowl or measuring cup. Save.
Mix butter in basin on medium speed until creamy. Slowly add sugar on medium speed for 3–5 minutes until frothy.Mix each egg until the yolk turns colourless.
Split batter among three cake pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean or with few crumbs. Leave after 10 minutes.
In your mixer, put softened butter. Soften butter by beating low to medium. Cut softened cream cheese and beat it into butter at low to medium speed. Hand mixers may soften cream cheese.
Add vanilla and salt. Slowly mix powdered sugar.Increase speed and mix until foamy.Don't rush mixing. Too thick? One tablespoon milk.Excellent cool pipes. Soften and combine after refrigerating.
Spread cream cheese on the first cake layer on the pedestal OR base. Repeat with another cake layer. Put the third cake layer. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting to sides and top.
Recoat icing after 15 minutes in freezer or longer in fridge.Texture was added with an offset spatula. Added crushed pistachios and stirred. Used 1M tip to pipe chunky shell border.