Pistachio Cream Pies

Super simple and delicious pistachio cream pies made with Athens phyllo shells, pistachio pastry cream and toasted brown sugar meringue topping. 

Pistachio is one of those beloved flavors that almost everyone loves, but it’s also often forgotten about. It’s not as commonly used but it really should be! It’s a very subtle flavor so it’s hard not to let other flavors dominate. That’s why I kept this recipe nice and simple!

How to make pistachio cream pie

We have three layers here. The first is our “boat” or our vehicle for the pastry cream lol. I partnered with my friends from Athens Foods to use their phyllo shells because they produce a nice crispy texture that balances the cream well. Plus they are easy to prep- just thaw following the instructions on the box!

The second layer is the pistachio pastry cream made with homemade pistachio paste. Then a gorgeous fluffy cloud of toasted brown sugar meringue.

How to make pistachio paste

I opted for the simplest way to make a pistachio paste. I used roasted, slightly salted pistachios and just put them in the food processor. I ground them until they got as small as they could get. Then I added 1-2 Tbsp of water at a time, until it turned into a pasty consistency. 

How to make pistachio cream 

My pastry cream recipe is super simple. Two egg yolks get whisked with sugar and cornstarch while the milk comes to a simmer with the butter. To temper the eggs, slowly pour the milk and butter over the eggs while whisking and then return the whole mixture to the pot.

Whisk the mixture continuously until you see the first bubble pop. Once the first bubble has popped, whisk for 1 more minute and then pour the pastry cream into a bowl to cool. The pastry cream should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and will continue to thicken as it cools. 

Add the pistachio paste while it’s still warm and whisk until it’s combined and then fill the Athens phyllo shells to the top. There should be exactly enough pastry cream to fill one box of shells. 

How to make brown sugar meringue

I make my brown sugar meringue the same way I make a regular meringue. Combine the sugar with the egg whites over a double boiler and whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved. Then use an electric mixer, at full speed, to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. 

How to toast the meringue 

There’re a few ways to toast meringue.

• Use a lighter – since the pies are so small, you can get a quick little toast with a lighter. 
• Use a culinary torch – this is my favorite way. It’s super easy to use and gives it a nice dark, toasty color and flavor.
• Broil in the oven for a couple of minutes – this will give you more of a crust around the meringue and lighter brown color. 

FAQs

Can I use store bought pistachio paste?

Yes! You can definitely use store bought pistachio paste. Just keep in mind the texture. The texture of the homemade paste is pretty thick and chunky so if you get one that’s smooth you won’t have any chunks in your cream. Also make sure the paste you use isn’t too runny or the pastry cream won’t set right.  

How to make the pistachio cream green?

There’s three ways to get a pretty green color for your pistachio pastry cream. 

1. Use store bought pistachio paste that’s already green
2. Add a little gel food coloring to the pastry cream
3. You can use unroasted pistachios instead of roasted. You’ll have to remove them from their shells. Bring some water to a boil and then place the pistachios in the hot water for 2 minutes. Drain them, peel the skins off and then proceed with the recipe. You may need to add a little less water than I used for the roasted pistachios paste. 

Can I make them in advance?

The pistachio cream pies can be made 1-2 days in advance but the shells won’t be quite as crispy after being in the fridge and the meringue is best made fresh or it can deflate a little.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! You’ll just need to double the amount of pastry cream you make and use two boxes of Athens phyllo shells. One batch makes extra pistachio paste and meringue so you won’t need to double those. 

How to serve and store pistachio cream pies

Pistachio cream pies can be served cold or at room temperature but should be stored in the refrigerator. 

Thanks so much for sticking around. I’d love to see if you guys make these pistachio cream pies. Make sure to tag me on instagram @baranbakery and @athens_foods. 

As always, have a blessed day and happy baking!

Love, B

This post was sponsored by Athens Foods. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that support Baran Bakery. All thought and opinions are 100% my own.