Gluten-Free Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Ganache (and Why It’s Great for Hormone Health)

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Looking for a healthy cake that supports your hormones without compromising on taste? This gluten-free pistachio cake with chocolate ganache is not only indulgent and nourishing—it’s also rich in ingredients shown to support hormonal balance, SHBG levels, and blood sugar control. As a nutritionist specialising in hormones, fertility, and PCOS, I’ve crafted this recipe with both your tastebuds and health in mind.

Is This Pistachio Cake Good for PCOS or Hormonal Imbalances?

Yes! This pistachio cake recipe is full of nutrient-dense ingredients that can support hormone regulation—particularly in conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Pistachios, the star of this cake, have been associated with higher levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that regulates hormones like oestrogen and testosterone in the body.

Low SHBG is often seen in women with PCOS, contributing to symptoms such as irregular cycles, acne, and hair growth. Increasing SHBG may help reduce the availability of circulating androgens, which is beneficial in PCOS management (Kim et al., 2021; Anderson, 1974; Selva et al., 2007).

In fact, research in premenopausal women has found that higher nut intake—including pistachios—is positively associated with SHBG levels (Kim et al., 2021).

Can Pistachios Help With Blood Sugar Control?

If you’re dealing with insulin resistance, gestational diabetes, or hormonal imbalances driven by blood sugar fluctuations, pistachios may be a helpful addition to your diet.

Multiple clinical studies have shown that pistachio consumption can lead to significantly lower post-meal glucose and insulin responses compared to higher-carb controls like whole wheat bread (Kendall et al., 2019; Hernandez-Alonso et al., 2020). These studies also found:

• Lower levels of GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide), which is associated with insulin secretion.

• Higher GLP-1 levels, a hormone that enhances insulin sensitivity and satiety.

This means that pistachios may contribute to better glycaemic control and potentially reduce insulin resistance—both key concerns in PCOS and hormone-driven conditions.

How Do You Make a Healthy Pistachio Cake?

This cake is gluten-free, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and features no added refined sugar. It’s topped with a silky dark chocolate ganache made using Greek yoghurt (or coconut yoghurt for a dairy-free option). It’s rich, moist, and nutrient-dense—perfect for celebrations or as a nourishing treat.

Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 200g pistachios

• 75g almond meal

• 15g cornflour

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 125ml maple syrup

• 150g no-sugar-added apple purée

• Zest of 1 orange

• 6 eggs

• 60ml coconut oil (melted)

• 35ml extra virgin olive oil

For the Ganache:

• 200g dark chocolate

• 200g Greek yoghurt (or coconut yoghurt for dairy-free)

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

How Do You Make the Ganache Without Cream?

Instead of cream, this recipe uses Greek yoghurt to create a tangy, rich ganache that’s lighter and packed with probiotics. To make it dairy-free, simply swap it out for coconut yoghurt.

Method

1. Make the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 150°C fan-forced. Line an 8-inch springform pan.

2. In a food processor, blitz pistachios into a fine flour. Add almond meal, salt, cornflour, and baking powder. Blitz to combine.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, apple purée, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and orange zest.

4. Add the dry pistachio mixture to the wet ingredients and whisk until fully combined.

5. In a stand mixer, beat eggs until light, airy, and doubled in size. Gently fold into the batter until uniform.

6. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 45–50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

7. Cool completely before topping with ganache.

2. Make the Ganache

Double boiler method:

1. Bring a small pot of water to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl on top.

2. Add the chocolate and stir occasionally until fully melted.

Microwave method:

1. Break chocolate into chunks and place in a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Heat in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth and melted.

3. Stir in Greek yoghurt and olive oil until glossy.

4. Pour over cooled cake and spread with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.

Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?

Yes! Use coconut yoghurt in the ganache for a creamy, dairy-free topping.

How do Pistachios help with Hormonal Health?

Pistachios are more than just delicious—they’re a functional food when it comes to hormone health:

• Increase SHBG, potentially improving symptoms of PCOS (Kim et al., 2021).

• Support glycaemic control, reducing post-meal glucose and insulin spikes (Hernandez-Alonso et al., 2020; Kendall et al., 2019).

• Rich in antioxidants, fibre, and healthy fats, all supportive of hormonal balance.

That said, the effect of pistachios and other foods on your hormones will always depend on your individual biochemistry, SHBG levels, insulin resistance, and overall dietary pattern—so it’s best to work with a hormone-focused nutritionist to tailor recommendations for you.

Want More Hormone-Supportive Recipes or Help With PCOS?

As a degree-qualified nutritionist specialising in female hormones, I support women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, and perimenopause using real food, lifestyle strategies, and evidence-based functional testing.

If you’re looking for personalised guidance on how to balance your hormones naturally or want help interpreting your SHBG, insulin, or hormone markers, book a consultation with me today.

Looking for more healthy recipes using pistachios? Try my no added-sugar Pistachio and Chocolate Rose Slice or the naturally sweet Pistachio, Orange and Ricotta Cake — perfect for supporting balanced hormones and blood sugar.

References

Anderson, D. C. (1974). Sex-hormone-binding globulin. Clinical Endocrinology, 3(1), 69–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.1974.tb03298.x

Hernandez-Alonso, P., et al. (2020). Acute effect of pistachio intake on postprandial glucose, insulin, and gut hormones. Nutrients, 12(1), 139. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6927994/

Kim, Y., et al. (2021). Tree nut consumption is positively associated with SHBG in premenopausal women. European Journal of Nutrition, 60, 4203–4213. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34365198/

Kendall, C. W. C., et al. (2019). Pistachios improve postprandial glucose and insulin responses in women with gestational diabetes. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, 2(1), e000056. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9370095/

Selva, D. M., et al. (2007). Insulin and androgens regulate SHBG. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 92(8), 2835–2841. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642083/