Popular pistachio: Where to get on-trend Christmas cakes, tarts and more in the flavour of the year

Trendsetters predicted that 2023 would be the year of pistachio, where the green-hued nut would see not only an even greater surge in its perenially-high popularity, but also the welcoming embrace of homeowners, with pistachio hues dominating decorators' Pinterest boards.

After American food service industry leader Lyon Magnus and hospitality consultants Baum + Whiteman proclaimed that food trends would worship the nut, media outlets from Forbes to Eater ran with the story.

Here in Singapore, though, we haven’t quite seen pistachio cocktails and pistachio perfumes jumping out at us from every corner.

But, gourmet appetites-wise, there are already no higher peaks for the nut to scale. Pistachio has always been a top-ranking flavour, according to various patisseries we spoke to.

At Mr Holmes Bakehouse, the Pistachio Cruffin (S$7++), launched as a seasonal flavour in 2022, was such a crowd favourite that it became a permanent menu item in Jan 2023. It is currently still the bestselling cruffin flavour.

Lady M’s Pistachio Mille Crepes (from S$13++ for a slice), a layered confection of pistachio cream made with California pistachios and handmade crepes, has consistently ranked in their top three bestsellers since it was introduced four years ago.

Pistachio tiramisus make an appearance on dessert menus at restaurants like iO Italian Osteria and Chicco Pasta Bar.

Over at Tigerlily Patisserie, the Pistachio Marimo has ranked strongly as one of the most popular items on the menu since it was launched two years ago. Every element in the moss ball-shaped confection is made with pistachio, from a base of crunchy pistachio feuilletine to pistachio sponge and pistachio praline blitzed from caramelised nuts, all circled up in a pistachio mousse.

Tigerlily’s chef Maxine Ngooi summed it up: “Although I have realised an increase in the number of pistachio products offered in the pastry and bakery scene, I can’t say I’ve noticed a particular increase in demand for pistachio items from customers, perhaps because we have grown accustomed to seeing consistently high sales for it. I’ve always felt that pistachio is such a classic feel-good flavour that is approachable and enjoyed by most, similar to chocolate and hazelnut.”

That said, pastry purveyors seem to have ramped up their pistachio bakes for the year-end festivities. So, the trend can be observed – manifested in an abundance of Christmassy pistachio cakes for this year’s holiday season.

Here’s a list of some pistachio log cakes, pistachio tarts and pistachio gateaux that will complete your Christmas feast – because after all, everyone loves pistachio, right?

PISTACHIO LOG CAKE FROM ALICE BOULANGERIE

How cute and Christmassy is this woodland animal-themed log cake? Alice’s Christmas Log Cake (S$96++) features the bakery-cafe’s signature 3D squirrel crafted with orange dark chocolate mousse, wearing a tiny Santa hat, sitting atop cake of multiple layers and textures: Pistachio mousseline, molten pistachio praline, flourless chocolate sponge and a compote of cranberry, strawberry and raspberry, on a base of dark chocolate and feuilletine.

More on Alice Boulangerie's website.

PISTACHIO LOG CAKE FROM PATISSERIE CLE

For the year-end season, Patisserie Cle’s new All Pistachio Log Cake (S$60 for a half log; S$98 for a full log) is a showcase of pistachio in different textures. There’s smooth pistachio caramel between layers of light sponge, laid on a crunchy croustillant and encased with a light mousse. It’s topped with pistachio caramel discs, crushed pistachio, whipped cream and tiny chocolate holly – pretty, put-together and perfectly pistachio-y.

More on Patisserie Cle's website.

PISTACHIO AND CRANBERRY TART FROM LE MATIN PATISSERIE

Don’t like cake? Well, then we can’t be friends. But fear not, there’s this tart from pastry wunderkind Mohamed Al-Matin (S$48 for a four-inch tart, S$88 for a seven-inch tart and S$132 for a nine-inch tart). It features a pistachio crust filled with pistachio frangipane, premium Sicilian pistachio kernels and rose-infused cranberries, and finished with a rose glaze. Can you say “Turkish delight”?

More on Le Matin Patisserie's website.

PISTACHIO ICE CREAM CAKE FROM HAAGEN-DAZS

An ice cream cake is never a bad idea. This one, a seasonal exclusive available at all Haagen-Dazs shops, is called the Pistachio Dream (S$88), with layers of Haagen-Dazs Pistachio & Cream and Green Tea ice creams on a biscuit base, topped with assorted nuts and swirls of frothy whipped cream. (There’s also a Chestnut Tart Yule Log Cake, but that belongs on another list.) As a bonus, they also have a Pistachio & Green Tea Shake.

By the way, you can also take home a pint of the new season-exclusive Pistachio & Cream ice cream, available at supermarkets, hypermarkets, online retailers and convenience stores – it has swirls of pistachio sauce, and caramelised almond and pistachio pieces scattered throughout.

More on Haagen-Dazs' website.

PISTACHIO CHOCO CAKE FROM PARIS BAGUETTE

Paris Baguette's Jingle & Mingle Pistachio Choco Cake (S$75) features pistachio custard cream, dark choco mousse, cherry and cranberry compote and fresh choco cream. Just the thing to encourage mingling and, er, yes, maybe even some jingling at your Christmas gatherings.

More on Paris Baguette's website.

PISTACHIO LOG CAKE FROM AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

This year, Awfully Chocolate offers a Dark Chocolate Pistachio Choux Log Cake (S$88) as a Christmas exclusive. It’s comprised of the brand’s signature soft chocolate cake, 71 per cent chocolate ganache layers and pistachio-filled choux. It’s like if a log cake swallowed a croquembouche – which makes it extra festive, right?

More on Awfully Chocolate's website.

PISTACHIO RASPBERRY LOG CAKE FROM DA PAOLO GASTRONOMIA

This one isn’t new, but it is a popular favourite. Da Paolo’s pistachio raspberry log cake (S$98) is an airy confection with pistachio cream made with Sicilian pistachios and raspberry jam made in-house. Who are we to argue with the crowd?

More on Da Paolo's website.