Dreamy Watergate Cake Recipe
Take a trip back to the 1970s with this retro Watergate Cake recipe! This creamy and delicious pistachio dessert, made with pudding mix, lemon-lime soda, and Dream Whip, has been a cherished family favorite for decades. Perfect as a festive pistachio layer cake for Christmas, a vibrant green dessert for St. Patrick’s Day, or a sweet treat for any special occasion, it’s as simple to make as it is to enjoy.
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If you’re a fan of nostalgic dessert recipes, you’re going to love this Watergate Cake! Topped with a dreamy whipped frosting made with pistachio pudding mix and Dream Whip, this cake is refreshingly cool and perfect for warm days.
Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just because, this Watergate Cake is sure to be the star of any gathering. The subtle nutty flavor of pistachios pairs beautifully with the sweet, creamy frosting, creating a dessert that’s light, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
For this pistachio pudding cake recipe, you need the following ingredients:
- 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant pudding mix, pistachio flavored
- 1 box of 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
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 or hand mixer, you won’t have any problems.
- Prep the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F. While it’s warming up, grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan. Alternatively, you can use Baker’s Joy: just spray a light layer over the bottom and sides.
- Make the batter. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, blend one box of instant pistachio pudding mix, the white cake mix, 7-Up, egg whites, and vegetable oil for 5 minutes at medium speed.
- Bake and cool. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. I like to set the pan on a wire rack so air can circulate and speed up the cooling.
- Make the frosting. For the pistachio whipped topping, aka the “cover-up icing,” beat the second box of pudding mix with the cold milk and Dream Whip at high speed until thick and soft peaks form.
- Frost and chill. Spread the topping over the cake, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Because the frosting contains dairy, the cake must be kept cold at all times.
If you love retro-inspired Southern desserts, you’ll also enjoy my Ambrosia Salad for a fruity classic, Pea Salad for a creamy and colorful side, and Orange Fluff – a light, citrusy treat that’s perfect for holidays and potlucks alike.
Watergate Dream Cake
Ingredients
Method
- 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 and bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Cool completely.
- Beat 1 box of pistachio pudding mix, milk, and whipped topping. Beat until thick and peaks form.
- Spread the topping on the cake, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
Nutrition
Video
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Serving Tips
- Taking it to a potluck? Pack it in a covered container with ice packs. The frosting contains dairy, so it needs to stay cold.
- Want a pop of color? Top each slice with a maraschino cherry.
- Prefer a more traditional version? Many old-fashioned Watergate Cake recipes include nuts. Sprinkle chopped pecans or pistachios over the frosting for a little crunch.
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 possible explanations for how “Watergate” ended up in the name that unites both dishes, though no one knows for sure.
One popular theory is that Watergate Salad was created by a chef at the Watergate Hotel – yes, the 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.”
Watergate Cake FAQs
Any lemon-lime soda works, or even ginger ale. In a pinch, you can use club soda.
Yes. Whisk the second box of pistachio pudding mix with about 1 cup of cold milk until it starts to thicken, then gently fold in an 8-ounce tub of thawed Cool Whip. The frosting will be a little softer than the Dream Whip version, but it’s just as tasty.
Covered tightly in the refrigerator, it will keep for 3 to 4 days.
Yes, it’s a great make-ahead dessert. Bake the cake the day before, then frost it once it has cooled completely. Keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Absolutely. Chopped pecans or pistachios make a nice topping and are common in older versions of the recipe.
Last Bite
Did this Watergate Dream Cake bring back sweet memories? If you make it, leave a star rating (it helps other bakers find the recipe) and tell me in the comments when you first tried it! Don’t forget to pin or share this recipe so others can enjoy this classic, dreamy dessert too.
The same recipe my mom always used. Delicious moist cake and amazing frosting.