

A luxurious Pistachio Delight dessert with layers of chocolate cake, pistachio cream, and whipped topping, perfect for any special occasion.
A Decadent Layered Dessert for Every Occasion
Indulge in the luxurious harmony of flavors and textures with Pistachio Delight: Chocolate and Cream Cheese Dessert Cups. This elegant dessert features a rich chocolate cake base, a creamy pistachio and white chocolate filling, and a velvety whipped cream cheese topping. Every spoonful offers a delightful balance of chocolatey depth, nutty pistachio richness, and airy lightness.

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe
This dessert was born from a moment of creativity and resourcefulness. It all started with leftover chocolate cake trimmings from a decadent triple-chocolate mousse cake I had baked earlier. Instead of discarding those flavorful crumbs, I saw an opportunity to transform them into something extraordinary.
The first layer I envisioned was a pistachio cream—rich, smooth, and slightly sweet—made with cream cheese, melted white chocolate, and pistachio butter. The result was velvety and indulgent, but I knew it needed contrast.
The final layer was crafted to bring balance: whipped cream combined with cream cheese to create a light, airy topping. This layer gently complements the density of the pistachio cream, offering a satisfying contrast in texture.
A sprinkle of chopped pistachios provided the finishing touch, adding both texture and vibrant color. Just like that, Pistachio Delight became an instant favorite—a dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting.
Why You’ll Love This Pistachio Delight
- Rich and Balanced Flavors: The deep chocolate base pairs beautifully with the nutty pistachio cream and smooth whipped topping.
- Elegant Presentation: Served in charming dessert cups with a vibrant pistachio garnish.
- Perfect for Celebrations: Ideal for dinner parties, birthdays, or festive gatherings.
- Convenient Make-Ahead Dessert: Prepare in advance for stress-free entertaining.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
- Dark Chocolate: Provides a rich, slightly bitter foundation that balances the sweetness of the layers.
- Pistachio Butter: Delivers a nutty depth and smooth consistency to the cream layer.
- Cream Cheese: Ensures stability and creaminess while adding a subtle tang.
- Heavy Cream: Adds density to the pistachio layer and lightness to the whipped topping.
- Chopped Pistachios: Offer texture, visual appeal, and a satisfying crunch.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pistachio Delight
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Base
Start by melting the dark chocolate and butter together. You can do this using a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring in between, or over a double boiler for more control. Once melted and smooth, set it aside to cool slightly.

In another mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and egg until the mixture becomes light, frothy, and slightly pale in color. This step ensures a light texture in your cake layer.

Gently pour the melted chocolate mixture into the whisked sugar and egg mixture. Stir them together slowly, making sure not to deflate the airy texture.

Next, sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Folding gently, mix until you have a smooth and lump-free batter.

Pour the batter into a small parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 340°F (170°C) for about 15–18 minutes. The cake should have a firm surface and a slightly cracked top when done.

Allow the cake to cool completely before crumbling it into fine crumbs. Once ready, divide about ¼ cup (50 g) of crumbs evenly into each dessert cup, gently pressing them down to form a stable base.


Tip: Take your time pressing the crumbs evenly to ensure a clean, compact layer.
Step 2: Make the Pistachio & White Chocolate Cream
Melt the white chocolate in short intervals in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring until silky smooth. Allow it to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, pistachio butter, and vanilla extract. Beat them together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Slowly add the chilled heavy whipping cream while continuing to beat on low speed. This helps incorporate air gradually and prevents the cream from becoming too runny.

Once the mixture is stable and fluffy, gently fold in the melted white chocolate. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain the light texture.
Spoon about ½ cup (120 ml) of the pistachio cream over the chocolate cake base in each dessert cup, smoothing the surface with a spoon.

Tip: Smooth out any uneven areas to ensure a clean presentation.
Step 3: Whipped Cream Cheese Topping
In one bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy.

In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. The texture should be light and airy but still hold its shape.

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, being careful not to deflate the airiness.

Pipe or spoon about ½ cup (120 ml) of the whipped topping over the pistachio layer in each dessert cup.
Tip: Use a piping bag for a professional finish.
Step 4: Garnish and Chill
Sprinkle each cup with chopped pistachios for a vibrant finish.
Refrigerate the dessert cups for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set properly.
When ready to serve, enjoy chilled.

Tip: For optimal texture and flavor, chill overnight.
Two Distinct Cream Layers: Key Differences
- Pistachio Cream: Heavy cream is mixed directly, creating a dense, velvety texture.
- Whipped Cream Cheese Topping: Heavy cream is pre-whipped, introducing air for a lighter finish.
These contrasting techniques create a dynamic interplay of textures.

Can I Make Pistachio Delight Without Baking?
Absolutely! If you’d like to skip the baking step, you can replace the chocolate cake base with crushed Oreos, graham crackers, or any other biscuit of your choice. Simply crush them into fine crumbs, mix them with a small amount of melted butter to help them hold together, and press them into the base of your dessert cups. While the flavor and texture will differ slightly, you’ll still end up with a delicious and impressive dessert in significantly less time.
When to Serve Pistachio Delight
Pistachio Delight: Chocolate and Cream Cheese Dessert Cups is a dessert that shines on any occasion where you want to impress your guests or treat yourself to something extraordinary. Whether it’s an intimate dinner gathering, a festive holiday table, or a birthday celebration, this dessert always stands out. Its elegant presentation and refined flavors make it equally suitable for formal events and cozy family moments.
Every spoonful feels like a luxurious escape, a perfect finale to a delicious meal.

Your Turn to Share the Pistachio Delight Experience
Pistachio Delight is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience of textures, flavors, and luxurious presentation. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a refined treat, this dessert is sure to leave an impression.
Have you tried this recipe? Share your results and tag us on Instagram using #FoodieRoam. Don’t forget to drop a comment below and let us know how your dessert turned out!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (50 g) dark chocolate
- ¼ cup (50 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 3 tbsp (20 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp (10 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup (270 g) cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ cup (130 g) pistachio butter
- 1 cup (200 g) white chocolate (melted and cooled)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream (chilled)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream (chilled)
- ½ cup (130 g) cream cheese
- ¼ cup (50 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp (30 g) Chopped pistachios
- Piping bag (optional)
- Small baking pan (4×4 inches / 10×10 cm)
- Dessert cups (7 oz / 200 ml each)
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Instructions
- Use a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler (bain-marie) to melt the chocolate and butter. Stir until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar and egg until light and frothy.
- Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then gently fold until combined.
- Pour the batter into a small baking pan (4×4 inches / 10×10 cm) lined with parchment paper. Bake at 340°F (170°C) for 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely, then crumble it into fine crumbs.
- Divide ¼ cup (50 g) of cake crumbs evenly across 4 cups as the base layer.
- Melt the chocolate in short intervals in a microwave or use a double boiler. Let it cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, pistachio butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually pour in heavy whipping cream while mixing on low speed until light and fluffy. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the melted white chocolate using a spatula, ensuring the texture remains airy.
- Spoon approximately ½ cup (120 ml) of pistachio cream into each cup over the chocolate cake crumbs. Smooth the layer evenly.
- Place the cups in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
- In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Avoid overwhipping.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula, keeping the texture light and airy.
- Transfer the mixture to a piping bag and pipe or spoon ½ cup (120 ml) of whipped cream topping into each cup over the pistachio layer.
- Level the surface for a clean finish.
- Evenly sprinkle each dessert cup with ½ tablespoon (7–8 g) of chopped pistachios.
- Chill the dessert cups for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight to allow the layers to fully set and flavors to meld together.
Our notes
2 Comments
- OMG, this one is definitely my favourite....AMAZING!!!Log in to reply |
- I'm so happy you liked it 🤩Log in to reply