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Watergate Cake

March 18, 2021 by Tristin 22 Comments

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Watergate Cake is a light, fluffy pistachio flavored cake with an airy pudding frosting. This Watergate Cake recipe with dream whip frosting is perfect as a spring dessert for holidays or any day. This pistachio cake is truly a delicious classic!

Do you love classic dessert recipes?? If you do, then you are going to LOVE this Peanut Blossom recipe or this Triple Berry Crisp!

A forkful of cake next to square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around. Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.
Watergate Cake With Dream Whip Frosting is a Delicious and Classic Cake

Pistachio Cake Recipe

There have been some wild storms coming through the south over the last few days. The rain has been coming down so hard at night, it’s been keeping us all awake. We also have had a high threat of tornados. While all of that is not so fun, one thing these rain storms do bring is the promise of spring! Spring is right around the corner and I couldn’t be happier about it. I enjoy the sun and the heat, something you see very little of in the winter, lol. Everything around here is finally starting to green back up and even my trees have started blossoming.

This pistachio pudding cake has a light flavor and gorgeous pale green frosting that reminds me of spring. Something about it makes me think of fresh, growing grass, wild flowers, spring breezes, and the Easter bunny. This cake makes one of the best spring desserts. I really like baking from scratch, but sometimes I just don’t have the time and like to be able to just throw a quick dessert together like this Cherry Dump Cake.

Enter this cake! It’s an easy to make pistachio sheet cake, made with pantry ingredients, and it tastes good, too.

This cake recipe can also makes a delicious version of a coconut cake! All you need to do is add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the cake batter and 1/2 cup of coconut sprinkled over the top of the cake. Or make a Watergate cake with pineapple by adding a can of crushed pineapple into the cake batter.

A forkful of cake above a square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around.  Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.
A Variety of Chopped Nuts Could Be Used in This Pistachio Cake Such As Almonds, Walnuts, But the Classic is Pecans

What is Watergate Cake?

This classic Watergate cake is made with a boxed white cake mix, pistachio pudding, and Dream Whip frosting. This cake is truly vintage as it has been made since the 1950’s and has probably graced millions of church gatherings, potlucks, picnics, and Easter tables. It has stuck around for so long because it’s delicious!

Traditionally, this cake is made in a bundt pan with 7up and has finely chopped pecans in the cake as well as sprinkled on top of the cake. It’s a pistachio 7up cake so why not top it with pistachios. I didn’t put any pistachios in the cake, but you are welcome to add in 1/2 cup of finely chopped pistachios, pecans, walnuts, or almonds. I also swapped the 7up out for some club soda just to save a little on some calories.

Why is it Called Watergate Cake?

The Watergate cake history isn’t exactly clear. It was either made by a chef at the Watergate Hotel or nicknamed for the Richard Nixon political scandal that happened in 1972. My fingers are crossed that it was because of Nixon, much more exciting!!

If it was named after the scandal, it has been said that this cake was originally just a pistachio pudding cake with pistachio frosting. It was cleverly dubbed Watergate cake with coverup frosting (or impeachment frosting) because putting the frosting on the cake was like “covering it up” kind of like Nixon did with his very own “cover up.”

I find it pretty entertaining!

An up close view of a square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around.  Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.
It’s Unclear Whether the Watergate Cake is Named After the Scandal or Created by a Chef at the Watergate Hotel

What is the Watergate Scandal?

The Committee for the Re-election of President Nixon wanted to spy on what the Democrats had planned for their candidates election. So in May 1972, a group of burglars successfully wiretapped the telephones at the Democratic Party’s Headquarters located in the Watergate Complex. There were issues with the taps that had been placed, so in June 1972 a second robbery was planned.

The night before the break-in occurred, the robbers stayed in the Watergate Hotel, which is also within the Watergate Complex. The burglars had placed tape over the locks on the doors so that the doors would close but not lock. A security guard noticed the tape and removed it. When the tape reappeared on the doors, this alarmed the security guard and he called the police. All of the burglars got arrested. President Nixon’s plan and agenda to cover up his involvement in the scandal slowly came to light over the following years, which ultimately ended in his resignation.

What is Watergate salad?

Watergate salad is super similar to Watergate cake. It’s green fluff made with Cool Whip, pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, and miniature marshmallows. So yummy!!

If you love Watergate salad, you are going to love this cake! It’s full of delicious pistachio flavors and topped off with creamy Dream Whip frosting, sweetened coconut and chopped pistachios. The only thing this pistachio cake is missing is the pineapple and the marshmallows, that is, of course unless you add them to the cake (directions are below).

An above view of two plates of Watergate cake with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around.  A small bowl of shredded coconut and a bowl of chopped pistachios and blue and white towel are in the picture.
Top This Delicious Watergate Cake Off With Dream Whip Icing, Sweetened Flaked Coconut & Chopped Pistachios

How to Make Cool Whip Frosting Instead of Dream Whip Frosting

If you would rather make the frosting out of Cool Whip Instead of Dream Whip just follow these easy directions.

  • Thaw an 8-ounce container of Cool Whip.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together 1 1/2 cup milk with 1 box of pudding mix on low for about 2 minutes.
  • Fold in the thawed Cool Whip with a large spoon or spoonula. Spread it on the cooled cake.

Watergate Cake Ingredients

  • Cake Mix: I used a box of white cake mix. You could use a yellow cake mix instead, but the taste and color may be a little different.
  • Oil: Use vegetable oil.
  • Pudding Mix: You will need two 3.4 ounce boxes of ounce instant pistachio pudding mix. One for the cake and the second for the frosting.
  • Eggs: You will need three large eggs for this cake recipe.
  • Carbonated Beverage: I used club soda just to have a little less calories and sugar in the cake. You can also use any clear lemon lime flavored soda or even ginger ale.
  • Milk: Any milk will work, non-fat milk, low-fat milk or whole milk.
  • Coconut flakes: I used sweetened coconut flakes, but you can use un-sweetened if you prefer.
  • Nuts: I used chopped pistachios to sprinkle on top of the cake. You could also use chopped up pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
All of the ingredients to make Watergate cake such as pistachio pudding, cake mix, eggs, dream whip, milk and pistachios.
Most of the Ingredients That are Needed for This Cake Are Pantry Staples

How to Make Watergate Cake

  • Preheat the oven and oil a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with either butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add in cake mix, 1 package pudding, eggs, oil, and club soda.
  • Mix well for 3-4 minutes scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Pour cake batter into the 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
  • Cake is done baking once a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Cool completely before making the frosting.
  • In the cleaned bowl of the stand mixer, add in 2 envelopes of dream whip and milk. Whip until light and fluffy.
  • Add in pistachio pudding and mix until combined. Spread evenly on cake. Top with coconut and chopped pistachios.
All of the steps to make Watergate cake.
Let the Pistachio 7up Cake Cool Completely Before Making the Icing and Frosting the Cake

Watergate Cake Tips

  • Make sure to mix the cake batter for 3-4 minutes for a light and fluffy cake.
  • The sprinkling of nuts on the top of this cake are completely optional. Use a different type of nuts and cut them up as coarse or fine as you like.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer, the batter and frosting can be made with a handheld mixer.
  • Always keep this cake refrigerated because there is milk in the frosting. If you take it to a picnic or potluck just make sure to keep it in a cooler or on icepacks and not sitting out anywhere for too long.
  • One option to quickly cool the cake is to let it cool at room temperature for at least an hour. Then move it to the fridge until it is completely cooled.

Watergate Cake Variations

  • Put in a 15-ounce can of crushed pineapple (with the juice) to the cake batter just omit the fizzy beverage.
  • Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios to the cake batter.
  • Leave off the coconut completely.
  • Instead of club soda make this Watergate cake with 7up or any lemon lime soda, carbonated water, or even ginger ale.
  • Add 1/2 cup of coconut to the batter as well as 1/2 cup on top of frosting.
  • Put miniature marshmallows on this cake to taste even more like a Watergate salad (it has marshmallows in it).
  • Top the cake with maraschino cherries for a festive look that you can serve during the Christmas holidays.
  • You can toast the coconut and nuts for more flavor. How to Toast Coconut: Preheat oven to 325° F. Spread shredded coconut out onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes (should be lightly browned). How to Toast Nuts: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the nuts out in a single later on a parchment lined baking sheet. Toast for 5-10 minutes until lightly browned.
A forkful of cake next to a square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around.  Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.
To Make Watergate Cake With Pineapple, Add 1/2 Cup of Crushed Pineapple in Cake Batter & Omit Soda

How to Store Watergate Cake

  • How to Refrigerate Watergate Cake: Put the cake in a glass container or BPA-free airtight plastic container or zipper bag. The cake should last about 7 days in the fridge.
  • How to Store Watergate Cake at Room Temperature: Due to the fact that there is milk in the frosting, it is not recommended to store Watergate cake at room temp.
  • How to Freeze Watergate Cake: Cake can be frozen without the frosting. Let the cake cool off completely before putting into an airtight glass, BPA-free freezer-safe bag or freezer-safe plastic container. Make sure to label the cake with the recipe name and date. It should last about 3 months in the freezer.
  • How to Thaw Watergate Cake: Thaw the frozen cake on the counter at room temperature. Make the frosting and ice the cake.
A square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around. Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.
This is The Best Pistachio Cake Recipe to Make for A Spring Dessert or Easter

Try these other delicious desserts!

  • Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake
  • Nutella Truffles
  • Apple Cinnamon Bread
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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A forkful of cake next to square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around. Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.
Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Watergate Cake

Watergate Cake is a light, fluffy pistachio flavored cake with an airy pudding frosting. This Watergate Cake recipe with dream whip frosting is perfect as a spring dessert for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, or any day. This green pistachio cake is truly a delicious classic!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Cooling Time2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 50 mins
Course: Dessert and Pastries
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Calories: 144kcal
Author: Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

For Cake:

  • 15.25 ounce box of white cake mix
  • 3.4 ounce instant pistachio pudding mix 1 small box
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup club soda

For Dream Whip Frosting:

  • 2.6 ounces dream whip 2 envelopes
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 3.4 ounce instant pistachio pudding mix 1 small box
  • 1/2 cup sweetened coconut
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with either butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer add in cake mix, pudding mix, oil, egg, and club soda.
  • Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides. Continue beating on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.
  • Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with just a few clinging crumbs. Cool cake completely (about 2 hours) or cool for an hour then stick in the refrigerator to cool faster.
  • Start making the frosting as soon as the cake is completely cooled.
  • In the cleaned bowl of a stand mixer add in Dream Whip and milk. Beat on high about 6 minutes until soft peaks form. Add in pudding and beat until well combined. Frost the cake. Add on coconut and chopped nuts if using.

Notes

  • Put in a 15-ounce can of crushed pineapple (with the juice) to the cake batter just omit the fizzy beverage for Watergate cake with pineapple.
  • Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios to the cake batter.
  • Make sure to mix the cake batter for 3-4 minutes for a light and fluffy cake.
  • Always keep this cake refrigerated because there is milk in the frosting.
  • Prepared cake will last in the fridge for up to a week.
 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results. 

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out!

If you’ve tried this or any other of my recipes, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and leave me a comment. I love hearing from you! Share a picture on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookedharvest.

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Comments

  1. Stella

    March 20, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic! Turned out amazing and was easy to make. Thank you for the step by step photos. I am not an experienced baker so I’m always afraid to make cakes or pastries. This was a win for me.

  2. Tristin

    March 20, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    I am so happy to hear that the step by step photos helped so much Stella! Glad you loved it.

  3. Luna

    March 22, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    5 stars
    It was deliciously AMAZING. Thank you for show this Watergate cake to the world Tristin😃😃. Also good luck getting your blog to grow🍀🍀!!

  4. Tristin

    March 22, 2021 at 12:41 pm

    YaY so happy that you loved the cake, Luna!! Thank you so much sweet lady 😀

  5. Heather

    March 30, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    I had heard of this cake but never realized it was pistachio flavored! My husband loves pistachio!! He is going to be so excited when I make this!

  6. Tristin

    March 30, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    My mom made this cake a lot growing up and I didn’t realize it was pistachio until I was an adult lol. I hope your husband loves this cake Heather!!

  7. Kathryn

    April 1, 2021 at 11:05 am

    5 stars
    I’ve never heard of this cake before and I can not wait to try it! I love how it’s made with cake mix and I love the addition of pistachios and coconut. Thank you for sharing this!

  8. Tristin

    April 1, 2021 at 11:08 am

    I hope you really enjoy it! Thanks so much Kathryn!!

  9. Eva

    April 2, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    5 stars
    Now this was an interesting read. I can’t get cake mixes nor dream whip, so I would have to come up with an all from scratch alternative, but I truly enjoyed reading and learning about this vintage cake. And yes, using soda in a cake definitely makes it even more vintage! So incredibly cool!

  10. Tristin

    April 2, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    I’m so sorry you can’t make this one, Eva! I’m glad you got something out of it at least. Thanks so much.

  11. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

    April 2, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    5 stars
    Now this is a cake I can truly sink my fork into! I LOVE pistachio anything and seeing this cake reminds me of the desserts my Mom would make a child. I’m adding the ingredients to my shopping list as I NEED this cake in my belly! Thank you so much for sharing!

  12. Tristin

    April 2, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    I’m also a lover of all things pistachio. Hope you enjoy, Lori. Thanks!

  13. Linda

    April 2, 2021 at 11:17 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been dreaming about pistachio cake and this one sounds amazing!

  14. Tristin

    April 2, 2021 at 11:20 pm

    Thanks so much, Linda! I hope you love it.

  15. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    April 3, 2021 at 1:25 am

    5 stars
    I can’t believe I am drooling right now! This Watergate Cake is sooo mouthwatering!

  16. Tristin

    April 3, 2021 at 1:30 am

    Lol, me too, Maggie!! It’s just that good. Thank you!

  17. Tammy

    April 4, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    5 stars
    So light and airy this cake is a dream! My mom loves pistachios in her desserts so I knew this one would be a hit!

  18. Tristin

    April 4, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Tammy, I’m so glad this was a hit! Thanks so much!!

  19. Jamie

    April 5, 2021 at 1:14 am

    5 stars
    That’s just genius using the pudding mix for the frosting! I love the vibrant green color it adds to this beautiful cake!

  20. Tristin

    April 5, 2021 at 1:16 am

    Thanks Jamie!! Yep just add the pudding right to the frosting, so easy and delicious.

  21. Heidy

    April 5, 2021 at 1:50 pm

    5 stars
    My mom used to make this all the time when we were kids, and we loved it! My kids had it for the first time, and they were totally thrilled. Glad I found this recipe!

  22. Tristin

    April 5, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    My mom made this for us growing up, too, Heidy. We always loved, I’m glad your kids love it, too!

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Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features tasty, easy recipes made with real ingredients. Read More…

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381 shares