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Starbucks dropped a new Chocolate Pistachio Loaf, and I was instantly obsessed. The pistachio flavor and that rich chocolate swirl had me determined to make my own version so I could skip the drive thru and bake it anytime.
Why This Copycat is a Keeper!
- Secret Ingredient! The pistachio instant pudding mix. It contains modified food starch, which helps keep this bread super moist.
- Chocolate + Pistachio: If you’ve been tempted by the Dubai chocolate craze, this loaf hits that same vibe in an easy, quickbread form.
- Save Time & Money: You can make this delicious Starbucks loaf at home whenever the craving hits.
Chocolate Pistachio Loaf Ingredients
- Use room temperature ingredients. This will ensure that the ingredients incorporate well and bake evenly.
- Food Coloring: The pudding mix turns the batter light green. For a deeper Starbucks style color, add a drop or two of food coloring.
- Hot water and cocoa. Mix the cocoa with hot water. This will ensure the cocoa mixture is smooth and lump free and will bloom the cocoa, enhancing the chocolate flavor.
- Almond Extract: This helps enhance the pistachio flavor.
Starbucks Chocolate Pistachio Loaf Recipe
I was super excited when I saw Starbucks new spring menu had this chocolate pistachio loaf on it! I snagged it and worked on a recipe for you guys! It is spot on and totally worth baking! You also need to try my Starbucks Lemon Loaf and Gingerbread Loaf.
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, 1 box instant pistachio pudding, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix: In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Add almond extract and buttermilk and beat until combined.
- Combine: Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Chocolate Swirl Mixture: Remove 1 cup of the batter and place in a small bowl. Mix cocoa powder with hot water until smooth. Pour the cocoa mixture into the 1 cup of batter and mix until it is just combined.
- Layer: Add ⅓ of the pistachio batter to the pan, then dollop on half the chocolate batter. Repeat with another ⅓ pistachio and the remaining chocolate batter, then top with the last ⅓ pistachio. Swirl with a knife in a zigzag, rotate the pan 90°, and zigzag once more.
- Bake: Top the batter with chopped pistachios, then bake for 55-60 minutes. Or until the top of the loaf springs back when pressed, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Loaf Pan: If you don’t have a 9 x 5-inch pan, you can use two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans.
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Chocolate Pistachio Loaf
Moist pistachio loaf with a rich chocolate swirl in every slice. This Starbucks copycat tastes just like the real deal, maybe even better!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant pistachio pudding
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup hot water
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant pistachio pudding, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¾ teaspoon salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 4 large eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Add ½ teaspoon almond extract and ½ cup buttermilk and beat until combined.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Remove 1 cup of the batter and place it in a small bowl. Mix ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder with ¼ cup hot water until smooth. Pour the cocoa mixture into the 1 cup of batter and mix until it is just combined.
- Alternate the two batters in the loaf pan, starting with the pistachio batter. Add ⅓ of the batter to the bottom of the pan. Dollop half of the chocolate batter on top. Repeat with another ⅓ of the pistachio batter. Dollop the remaining half of the chocolate batter on top. Finally, add the remaining ⅓ of the pistachio batter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the batter together by dragging the knife through the pan in a zig-zag motion. Turn the pan 90 degrees and repeat.
- Top the batter with ¼ cup chopped pistachios and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the top springs back when pressed and a toothpick comes out clean.
Video
Notes
Storage & Make Ahead Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze whole or sliced for up to 3 months.
- Make ahead: Assemble the batter in the loaf pan, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake, up to 24 hrs. Add about 5 minutes to the bake time.
Nutrition
Calories: 4340kcalCarbohydrates: 535gProtein: 64gFat: 228gSaturated Fat: 129gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 65gTrans Fat: 8gCholesterol: 1245mgSodium: 5442mgPotassium: 1389mgFiber: 17gSugar: 349gVitamin A: 7085IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 649mgIron: 19mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
Can this recipe be adjusted for a Bundt pan?
For a Bundt pan I would double the recipe. I think a single batch wouldn’t be enough batter, it would still work, just come out short.