Name: Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 3/4 cup soy milk (unsweetened); 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice); 3/4 cup sunflower seed oil (or other neutral vegetable oil); 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract (or pistachio extract); 1 cup granulated white sugar; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned into the cup, not packed; divided: 1 1/2 cups + 1/4 cup); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 cup Setton Farms Raw Pistachio Kernels; 1 small bottle vegan liquid green food dye; 6 cups powdered sugar; 2 cups dairy-free butter (not margarine, softened at room temperature at least 1 hour before making the frosting); 1/4 cup Setton Farms Raw Pistachio Kernels; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or pistachio extract, optional); 5 tablespoons dairy-free cream cheese; Vegan liquid green food dye

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 38 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cake that not only looks stunning but also bursts with nutty, creamy flavors, you’ve just found your new favorite. This Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe is a masterpiece that showcases beautiful shades of green in every decadent bite, making it as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. With a rich pistachio flavor woven throughout its moist, vegan layers and topped with a luxuriously smooth pistachio frosting, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any celebration or just a special treat to savor with loved ones.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a slice of layered cake on a white plate with tiny dark speckles, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has three layers: the top layer is light tan with a spongy texture, the middle layer is yellowish green with small nut pieces, and the bottom layer is a vibrant green crumbly cake. Between each cake layer, there is a light green creamy frosting. The top of the cake slice is covered with a thick, pale yellow frosting that looks smooth and swirled at the edges, blending with the creamy light green frosting that spreads around the base of the slice. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this cake is carefully selected to contribute to the perfect balance of flavor, moisture, and color. From the smooth soy milk to the vibrant green food dye, these essentials come together simply to create something truly spectacular.

Soy milk (3/4 cup, unsweetened): Essential for the vegan buttermilk base, providing moisture and tenderness to the cake layers.
Apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon): Reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise and gives a subtle tang.
Sunflower seed oil (3/4 cup): Keeps the cake wonderfully moist without overpowering flavors.
Vanilla extract (1/2 tablespoon): Adds a lovely aromatic depth; pistachio extract can be used for an extra nutty aroma.
Granulated white sugar (1 cup): Sweetens perfectly to balance the nutty notes.
Sea salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, making them sing.
All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): The main structure-builder for the layers, carefully divided for perfect texture.
Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Leavens the cake, ensuring lightness.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with vinegar to create rise and fluffiness.
Setton Farms Raw Pistachio Kernels (3/4 cup): The heart of the recipe, bringing authentic pistachio flavor and texture.
Vegan liquid green food dye: Adds the beautiful ombre green hues to the layers and frosting.
Powdered sugar (6 cups): Sweet and smooth, perfect for the velvety frosting.
Dairy-free butter (2 cups, softened): Provides richness and creaminess to the frosting, avoid margarine for best results.
Setton Farms Raw Pistachio Kernels (1/4 cup for frosting): Ground finely to create a delicate pistachio flour for an extra nutty kick.
Dairy-free cream cheese (5 tablespoons): Makes the frosting luxuriously creamy and slightly tangy.

How to Make Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Vegan Buttermilk and Batter

Start by mixing soy milk with apple cider vinegar to create your vegan buttermilk – this little trick adds a subtle tang and reacts with the baking soda for the perfect rise. Add sunflower seed oil, vanilla extract, sugar, and sea salt, then sift in the flour along with baking powder and baking soda. This forms a smooth, tender batter that is the foundation of your delicious pistachio cake layers.

Step 2: Process the Pistachios

Half of the magic is in the pistachios: blitz half the Setton Farms kernels in a blender until crumbly, then add the rest and pulse to get a mix of crumbly and chunky textures. This contrast is what gives the cake its delightful nutty feel and visual appeal.

Step 3: Divide & Color the Batter for Ombre Layers

Split the batter into three bowls. Each one gets a different amount of pistachio mix and a pinch of all-purpose flour to adjust texture. Add increasing amounts of green food dye to create the ombre effect – the top layer remains mostly natural pistachio color, the middle gets a lighter green, and the bottom boasts a deeper, richer shade. Mixing well is key to uniform color and flavor in each layer.

Step 4: Bake the Cake Layers

Pour each batter into prepped 7-inch pans lined with parchment. Bake at 350°F just below the oven’s middle rack for about 25 minutes. Use the toothpick test to know when they’re done. Let them cool thoroughly to ensure smooth frosting later. Here’s a tip: once cool, wrapping layers in plastic and chilling in the freezer for a bit helps with easier handling during assembly.

Step 5: Make the Pistachio Frosting

Grind the pistachios exceptionally fine for the frosting, sifting any larger chunks out to keep the texture smooth. Cream the dairy-free butter, then gradually add powdered sugar and the finely ground pistachio flour for a fluffy, nutty base. Blend in dairy-free cream cheese and a dash of vanilla or pistachio extract for the luscious finish.

Step 6: Tint and Layer the Frosting

Separate about two-thirds of your frosting and color the remainder with green food dye to a very pale shade. This light frosting goes between each cake layer and coats the outside for a neat base. Save any leftover light green frosting for decorative piping.

Step 7: Create the Ombre Buttercream Roses

Piping is where your cake truly comes alive. With a piping bag fitted with a 2D nozzle, start by covering the top layer with the lightest green roses using undyed frosting. Then blend leftover light green frosting with plain to make a medium shade and cover the middle layer. Finally, darken your remaining frosting for the deepest shade, and pipe the bottom layer for a beautiful, gradual green gradient rose decoration that will wow anyone lucky enough to eat a slice.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Once decorated, sit back and admire your beautiful Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe masterpiece before sharing it with your favorite people. Each slice is a dream of moist, nutty, and elegantly green delight.

How to Serve Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe

A wooden tray holds eight small white bowls with different ingredients arranged neatly. The largest bowl on the top left is filled with white flour, showing a smooth, powdery texture. Next to it on the right is a bowl of thick pale cream, while a smaller bowl beside it contains a clear liquid. Below the flour bowl is a bowl of white granulated sugar. The center top bowl is filled with a smooth green liquid, and beneath it is a slightly smaller bowl holding a small amount of white powder. To the right of that is a small bowl of amber liquid. The bottom center bowl has a dark green to black thick liquid with a shiny surface, and finally, the bottom right bowl contains shelled pistachios in yellow-green and brown tones. The tray rests on a white marbled texture surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Nothing elevates this cake more than a few simple garnishes. Sprinkle some finely chopped pistachios over the top for an extra nutty crunch and a bit of sparkle. Fresh edible flowers, like violets or pansies, can add a whimsical and colorful touch that plays well with the cake’s green hues.

Side Dishes

This pistachio cake pairs beautifully with light and fresh sides that don’t compete with its flavor. A simple mixed berry salad or a citrusy fruit compote can brighten the plate and balance the richness of the cake. Vegan whipped cream or coconut yogurt also complement the delicate layers wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

Present this cake on a rustic wooden board decorated with scattered pistachios and fresh mint leaves for an inviting look. For a minimalist vibe, use a sleek white cake stand and add a drizzle of vegan white chocolate or pistachio glaze on top. Individual slices plated with a mint sprig and a dusting of powdered sugar can make serving feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your cake has been frosted and decorated, keep it covered with a cake dome or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. This cake will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days, maintaining its moisture and flavor beautifully.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake layers before frosting to save time on baking day. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to one month. For the fully frosted cake, freeze in an airtight container and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

This cake is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t typically necessary. If desired, bring slices to room temperature by letting them sit out for 20 to 30 minutes to unlock all the rich pistachio flavors and make the frosting soft and luscious again.

FAQs

Can I substitute the pistachios for another nut?

While pistachios are the star of this cake, you could swap in almonds or cashews for a different nutty flavor. Just keep in mind that it won’t have the same unique green hue or characteristic taste that makes this Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe so special.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose flour can work well, but results might vary slightly in texture. Be sure your gluten-free mix contains xanthan gum for the best structure.

Can I use other plant-based milks?

Absolutely! Almond, oat, or cashew milk can replace soy milk, but choose unsweetened varieties to keep the flavors balanced and the texture light.

How do I avoid the colors mixing when layering the cake?

Make sure each layer is fully cooled and chilled before assembling. Using a crumb coat of frosting helps create a barrier, and chilling between frosting steps ensures distinct layers that highlight the beautiful ombre effect.

What if I don’t have vegan cream cheese for the frosting?

You can use a bit more vegan butter and add a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for tanginess, but vegan cream cheese adds creaminess and balance that’s hard to replicate exactly in this recipe.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about crafting a cake that’s not only vegan but also visually dazzling and packed full of luscious pistachio flavor. This Vegan Pistachio Ombre Cake Recipe is sure to become your go-to for celebrations or just because moments when you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something spectacular. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how something so beautiful can be so approachable and delicious!