Chocolate Covered Pistachio Cake Balls + Cake Pops
Usually, I’m not one to go peeling and eating pistachios on their own, but when they’re in a dessert, boy are they good! Pistachio gelato? Oh my goodness. Pistachio cake? To-die-for.
The first time I tried pistachio cake was a few years ago when a fabulous coworker of mine made it for a dessert contest at work. Now whenever I think of dessert on St. Patrick’s Day, that pistachio cake is the first thing that pops into my mind.
That particular recipe called for adding a box of Jell-O Pistachio Pudding to boxed cake mix which, granted, is ridiculously easy. However like most food that is ridiculously easy, the pudding mix is not so healthy. And if there is a way to make a dessert even somewhat healthy, I’m going to do it!
Moms always lecture their kids to get their greens, right? How about in the form of a chocolate covered cake ball? That counts…doesn’t it?! ;)
Chocolate Covered Pistachio Cake Balls + Pops
Green Pistachio Cake
- 1 box vanilla cake mix*
- 6 ounces baby spinach
- 3 eggs
- 2/3 cup almond milk + 3 tablespoons
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup peeled pistachios
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 packages Baker’s chocolate (one white chocolate and one milk chocolate) or Candy Melts
*The cake mix I bought called for 3 eggs, 2/3 cup milk, and 1/2 cup oil but any cake mix could be used in this recipe by replacing those ingredients for whatever brand you choose requires. Pistachio Icing
- 5.3 ounces Plain Greek Yogurt*
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
*I originally made the icing with 2 servings of Greek yogurt but ended-up with a ton of icing left over so the recipe for the icing is actually half of what I made. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and pour the boxed cake mix into a large bowl then set aside. Then place the eggs in a separate medium-sized bowl and set aside. In a food processor, purée the spinach with coconut oil and 2 tablespoons almond milk then add to the bowl with the eggs.
Rinse and dry the processor then add 1/4 cup pistachios and grind to a fine texture, almost like a powder. Add 1/4 cup canola oil, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and 1 tablespoon almond milk and pulse to combine. You can give it a little taste if you want to…you know you want to!
Add the pistachio mixture, 2/3 cup almond milk, eggs and spinach to the bowl with the cake mix.
Beat ingredients on high for approximately 2 minutes.
Pour the cake batter into a greased dish and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Prepare the icing by again grinding 1/4 cup pistachios to a powder. Then add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and pulse to combine. In a bowl, combine the pistachio mixture, Greek yogurt, and powdered sugar by beating on high for 1 minute.
Allow cake to cool after baking, then crumble the entire thing with a fork.
Drizzle the icing on top of the crumbled cake and combine with your hands. You can get a feel for how much icing you want by feeling the texture as you go. I chose not to use too much of the icing because I prefer the cake to not be overly moist or sweet.
Take small scoops of cake mixture and place into hands to roll into balls. There should be a little over 3 dozen cake balls when you are done.
Refrigerate balls for 15 minutes before icing with chocolate. If you choose to make cake pops, dip the end of the stick in chocolate and place into the cake before freezing them for 15 minutes.
After they are chilled, roll balls into melted chocolate and freeze for another 15 minutes. Styrofoam holders or colanders are helpful for cake pops to rest in while they are setting. Then they are ready to serve!
Trust me, no one will ever know they are made with spinach!
I really loved the flavor of the cake and am working on another recipe that is similar but requires a little less labor. I will be sure to share it soon as another option for a St. Patty’s Day treat! I also thought the chocolate coating was a little thick and think the Candy Melts would be better to obtain a thinner coating, similar to a Starbucks Cake Pop.
What dessert comes to your mind when you think of St. Patrick’s Day?
These look amazing and so unique. I would never think to add spinach to a dessert! I love that recipe :) Perfect for St.Patrick’s Day!!!
Thanks, Anna! I was determined to make it green without “artificial” ingredients!
Lady, you put real spinach in your cake mix?!? You’re freakin’ AWESOME!!! :D I think all the moms or whoever encourages their loved ones to eat more greens will thank you for creating this ingenius recipe! Ahh, I know that pistachio jello mix + yellow cake mix recipe for pistachio cake too well. I love pistachio too much. But here your cake mix colors are vibrant and gorgeous. I wonder does this cake mix really taste like pistachio though? I also love playing with baking ingredients to make it healthier AND still delicious. Guess I’ll have to make it myself to really find out ;) Will report back. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
It really does taste like pistachio! I am going to try and make a cake by itself and post about it. It should be a little easier if it turns out as planned!
I love how festive this is for St. Patrick’s Day!! I have the same bag of pistachios from TJ’s that I used 1/4 cup to make pistachio-crusted fish, so I could definitely make use of them in this cake and for these cake pops…they look so yummy!
Oh, pistachio crusted fish sounds so good! If only I could get Brandon to eat fish.
How perfect are these for St. Patty’s Day?!? I am loving the green! :)
how exotic! i was just thinking about pistachios, yum!
These look incredible! I love how healthy the icing is that you use.
I am so totally making those cake balls. 1. Love pistachios as does the husband. 2. They’re so cute! and 3. They sound yummy :)
i tend to make the standard Guiness cake for St. Patty’s. got to love stout and chocolate :)
Thanks Sonia! I would love for you to try them. The only thing I would try to improve is the coating. I personally love Starbucks cake pops and would prefer a coating more like that. The chocolate on these was more like a truffle. I’m going to try a cake too so I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Oh how I love anything pistachio. I think pistachio gelato is my all-time favorite dessert! Your cake balls look amazing. I love how they include a veggie for some added healthiness :)
I love this! I thought it was creative when I put spinach in my pancakes, but adding it to cake balls, genius! I love pistachios, pistachio ice cream is my biggest weakness!
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