How to Make the Best Creamy Pistachio Coconut Cake Filling

This is a recipe that pairs perfectly with chocolate cake or cupcakes - and it can be used as a filling between cake layers or an inside filling for cupcakes depending on your preferences. It’s a deliciously creamy and indulgent treat, and it’s well worth the time it takes to put together. 

Although it's something that takes a lot of effort, it comes together beautifully with a thick, creamy texture and a delicious flavour palate that is rich and indulgent without being too sweet. It's the perfect balancing agent for any cake - and it can make any dessert feel like a luxury with just a few ingredients. 

Ingredients:

• One large bag of pistachios
• Coconut milk
• Shredded coconut 
• Vanilla extract 
• One block cream cheese (softened)

De-shell all of the pistachios in the bag - you will need to use the entire bag. Depending on how much you would like to make, you can choose to make a smaller batch with a small sized bag of pistachios. To skip this step, you can purchase a bag of pistachios that have already had the shells removed, although they are less common to find. 

Add your pistachios to a small pot and soak in hot water with a dash of vanilla extract, put the pistachios onto an oven burner and boil for 5-6 minutes. Pat dry and peel away the skins from the nuts. The boiling process will make these skins easy to remove. This ensures that the mixture will be smooth without any pistachio skins creating chunks or an uneven texture. 

Add half a can of coconut milk to a food processor alongside shredded coconut and a block of cream cheese. Add the pistachios alongside another dash of vanilla. These simple ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store, and they come together quickly once they are put together and prepped.

Blend together in the processor until smooth, and use for desired baked goods. The mixture can also be piped and used as an icing or a spread. The texture should be thick and creamy with some chunks of pistachio and/or coconut still visible. It will blend into a pale green colour that is perfect for a pastel colour palate for cake decorating or dessert garnishes.