Description
This cheerful pistachio loaf brings instant holiday vibes with its soft green crumb and ruby-red cherry bits tucked throughout. It’s sweet, moist, and finished with a silky almond glaze that adds just the right touch of elegance. Think cozy, colorful, and downright irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant pistachio pudding
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, halved
- Green food coloring (optional, for extra vibrancy)
For the Almond Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat two small loaf pans generously with grease, making sure the sides and corners are well covered.
- In a large bowl, mix the cake blend and pistachio pudding powder until evenly combined. Add the eggs, oil, water, and sour cream, mixing until the batter looks smooth and creamy. If you want a brighter green finish, stir in a few drops of food coloring at this stage.
- Drain the cherries and press them dry with paper towels to remove excess syrup. Slice them in half, then gently fold them into the batter so they’re evenly distributed without bleeding color.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared pans. Place them on the center rack and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the loaves to cool on a wire rack before lifting them out of the pans.
- Once fully cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. Aim for a pourable but slightly thick consistency. Spoon or drizzle the glaze over each loaf and let it cascade naturally down the sides. Give it time to set before storing or slicing.
Notes
- Add a few drops of green coloring if you want that classic holiday-green look to really pop.
- The glaze should flow smoothly but still cling to the surface — start with less milk and build up gradually.
- Rest the loaves on a rack over a baking tray while glazing to catch drips and keep cleanup easy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts