Dreamy Watergate Cake Recipe (2024)

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ByLynda SelfPublishedUpdated on

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This Watergate Cake recipe creates a creamy and delicious pistachio dessert that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s been a family favorite for years, and it’s an easy dessert to make thanks to a box of pudding mix and Dream Whip.

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If you like Watergate Salad, then you’re going to love this cake! It’s topped with a delicious frosting that keeps the cake cold—perfect for hot days when all we want is something refreshing.

The moist cake and frosting have a nice, light green color thanks to pistachio pudding mix. (The green hue makes it a great cake for serving on St. Patrick’s Day.)

This Watergate cake is sure to be a hit at any gathering. It’s light and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness. The nutty flavor from pistachios is subtle but adds a nice touch. The frosting is light and fluffy, and it’s the perfect topping for this classic cake.

📝Ingredients

For this pistachio cake recipe, you need the following ingredients:

  • 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant pudding mix, pistachio flavored
  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 cup 7-Up (or other lemon lime soda)
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1½ cups cold milk
  • 2 envelopes of Dream Whip
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👩🏻‍🍳How To Make Watergate Cake

If you have never worked with Dream Whip, don’t let it intimidate you. Dream Whip is a commercial powdered mix to make whipped cream. If you have an electric mixer or hand mixer, you won’t have any problems with it.

To make Watergate Cake, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees (Fahrenheit). While it is warming up, grease and flour a 9×13 cake pan. Alternatively, you can use Baker’s Joy to prep the pan. Just spray a light layer over the bottom and inside.

For the cake, blend one box of instant pistachio pudding mix, a box of white cake mix, 7-Up, egg whites, and a cup of vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl of an electric mixer for 5 minutes at medium speed.

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Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

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Cool the cake completely before making the pistachio frosting/whipped topping, aka cover-up icing. [I like to place the cake pan on a wire rack to allow air circulation and speed up the cooling process.]

For the topping, beat 1 package of the pudding mix, milk, and the Dream Whip. Beat at high speed until it is thick and soft peaks form.

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Spread the topping on top of the cake, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator. This cake will need to be kept cold at all times.

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If you plan on taking it to a family get-together, church potluck, or some other event, pack it in a container and include ice packs. Remember, the icing is made with a dairy product and needs to be kept cold.

To add a pop of color, serve slices of cake with a maraschino cherry on top.

FAQ

Why is it called Watergate Cake? Is it because of the political scandal?

The cake is similar to Watergate Salad which is made with pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, whipped topping, crushed pecans, and marshmallows.

There are two possibilities of how “Watergate” landed in the name that unites both dishes, though no one knows for sure.

The first possibility is that the Watergate Salad recipe was developed by the chef at the Watergate Hotel – yes, that one that made the news thanks to President Richard Nixon.

According to Southern Living, the other explanation is that “the cake version has icing to ‘cover up’ any mistakes and,
like politics, is chock full of nuts.”

What can I use besides 7 Up to make Watergate cake?

You can use any lemon lime soda or even ginger ale.

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Dreamy Watergate Cake Recipe (10)

Watergate Dream Cake

This recipe for Watergate Cake has been enjoyed by my family for years. It's creamy and luscious and will have you wanting more.

4.44 from 60 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 cake

Calories: 436kcal

Author: Lynda – Southern Kissed

Ingredients

  • 1 3.4 ounce box instant pudding mix pistachio flavored
  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 cup 7-Up
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup vegetable oil

Whipped Topping

  • 1 3.4 ounce box instant pudding mix pistachio flavored
  • cups milk
  • 2 envelopes whipped topping Dream Whip

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch cake pan.

  • Blend 1 box of pistachio pudding, cake mix, 7-Up, egg whites and oil in mixer for 5 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.

  • Bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Cool completely.

  • Beat 1 box of pistachio pudding mix, milk and whipped topping. Beat until thick and peaks form. Ice/frost cake. Keep cake chilled.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 422mg | Potassium: 56mg | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @SouthernKissedBlog or tag #southernkissed!

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Be sure to come back and tell us how your cake turned out!

Dreamy Watergate Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called a Watergate cake? ›

The cake is then covered in icing symbolizing a "cover-up", in reference to the Watergate scandal, during which the Nixon administration attempted to cover up its involvement in the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex.

When was pistachio pudding invented? ›

Pistachio pudding is a green pudding made from pistachio nuts and occasionally contains small chunks of almonds. Jell-O also sells boxed pistachio pudding mix. Boxed pistachio pudding was developed by Kraft Foods in 1975.

Why is it called Elvis Presley cake? ›

Before it's served, you'll add a layer of cream cheese frosting and sprinkle candied pecans on top for some crunch. Internet lore would have you believe this pineapple-topped concoction was Elvis Presley's favorite cake, that he even asked his grandmother to make it for him as a kid.

Why is it called Elvis Presley Pound Cake? ›

Elvis favored classic southern sweets for dessert, and one favorite happened to be pound cake. Not just any pound cake but a particular one. The Sterns say pound cake for Elvis meant a cake baked by his childhood friend, Janelle McComb.

When did they stop coloring pistachios? ›

What happened to red pistachios? Dyeing pistachios red went out of style in the 1980s, when California growers became the largest source of pistachios for the American market and chose to distribute undyed nuts.

Does Jell-O still make pistachio pudding? ›

Jell-O Pistachio Instant Pudding Mix offers a delicious flavor, whether you eat it as a treat or use it as an ingredient in your favorite dessert recipes.

Why were pistachios red in the 80s? ›

Pistachios were imported from the Middle East, and they always had the distinctive bright red coloring to disguise any discolorations that occurred during shipping.

What is the Watergate cover up dessert? ›

Watergate salad, or Pistachio Delight, is a dessert salad or side dish made with pistachio pudding, canned fruit, whipped topping, and other ingredients. The original recipe was originally published by General Foods under the title "Pistachio Pineapple Delight."

How did bee sting cake get its name? ›

Bienenstich means “bee sting” in German. One source for the origin of bienenstich cites a legend of German bakers from the 15th century who lobbed beehives at raiders from a neighboring village, successfully repelling them, and celebrated later by baking a version of this cake named after their efforts.

Why are they called Charlotte Cakes? ›

The most famous baked version is an apple charlotte, which incorporates buttered bread, stewed apples and a breadcrumb topping. The name charlotte is thought to be in honor of Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III of England.

What is the nickname of the Watergate source? ›

Deep Throat is the pseudonym given to the secret informant who provided information in 1972 to Bob Woodward, who shared it with Carl Bernstein.

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