Chocolate Pistachio Loaf {Starbucks Copycat}

This copycat Starbucks Chocolate Pistachio Loaf has everything that makes the original so good: a tender crumb, ribbons of rich chocolate, and pistachio flavor throughout. And it's surprisingly easy to make at home, which means you can have it for breakfast or your afternoon coffee break whenever the craving hits!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🍫 Recipe tips
• ⏲️ How to store
• 🎉 Variations on recipe
• ☕️ Starbucks pistachio drink copycat recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Starbucks is really leaning into the pistachio and chocolate flavor combination in 2026.

Not only did they launched the Dubai Chocolate Mocha and the Dubai Chocolate Matcha, but they released a limited-time bakery item with the drinks: Chocolate Pistachio Loaf.

This green pistachio and chocolate swirled quick bread is topped with crunchy pistachios and has all that Dubai chocolate flavor you love.

And it's surprisingly easy to make at home for the perfect quick breakfast or delightful afternoon snack.

Don't worry; I'll have my recipe for the Strawberry Matcha Loaf out soon!

❤️ Why this recipe works

Easy to make: this recipe requires one batter, which is then divided between two bowls, so you can add pistachio flavor and green color to some of it and chocolate flavor to the rest of it.

Double the pistachio flavor: the bread includes both pistachio extract for that strong pistachio flavor and actual pistachios for topping the bread and adding a little crunch.

Made with buttermilk: I always try to follow Starbucks ingredients lists as closely as I can, though a corporate mass produced bakery is obviously going to be a bit different than a home kitchen. However, buttermilk is one ingredient not to skip out on! It adds the perfect tang to the bread's flavor and makes the crumb nice and tender.

Addition of nonfat milk powder: this is my secret ingredient in so many of my baked goods! It's optional in this bread, but I think it makes a great difference by giving the loaf that slightly chewy, bakery-case texture you can't quite replicate at home otherwise.

🗒 Ingredients

Here's everything you need to make this chocolate pistachio loaf at home (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this page for ingredient list and full recipe instructions):

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Nonfat milk powder: optional, but highly recommended to give the loaf that distinct bakery texture.
• Granulated sugar
• Large eggs
• Buttermilk
• Neutral oil: canola oil, vegetable, or light olive oil all work. Avoid anything with a strong flavor like coconut or extra virgin olive oil.
• Unsalted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Pistachio extract
• Green gel food coloring: gel is better than liquid because it won't thin out your batter. The color dulls as the loaf bakes, so go brighter than you think you need.
• Chopped roasted salted pistachios: for topping the loaf. Salted is OK.
• Cocoa powder

🍫 Recipe tips

• Once you add the dry ingredients, mix batter until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. Over-mixing can make the loaf dense instead of soft and tender.

• Once batter is made, you'll remove ½ cup of it to a second bowl to turn into the chocolate swirl. It should be smooth and slightly pourable so it ribbons easily into the pistachio batter. If it's too thick, add a little more buttermilk.

• To the remaining batter, you'll add pistachio extract and green food coloring. Remember that once the loaf bakes, the color will fade, so make it brighter than you think it needs to be. You can leave the food coloring out, but the loaf will look quite different.

• Pour about ⅔ of the pistachio batter into a greased 9x5 loaf pan, top with ribbons of chocolate batter, and then top with the rest of the green batter.

• Use a butter knife to make three or four gentle passes through the batter to create swirls. Any more than that and might blend the two batters into one muddy color instead of getting defined ribbons.

• The first time I made this, I put topped the loaf with pistachios down the sides since that's how the bread looks at Starbucks. I quickly learned that the strip of pistachios should go in the center of the batter and as the loaf bakes, it will split down the middle.

• Start checking the loaf for doneness after 35 minutes in the oven. Ovens vary wildly quick breads don't all bake the same. Check for a few moist crumbs on a toothpick inserted into the bread, rather than a clean one.

• If the top of the loaf is browning faster than the inside is baking, tent it loosely with foil.

Once the bread cools (it's OK if you can't wait until it's fully cooled) and you take your first bite, you'll instantly understand why this loaf has basically a cult following.

It's tender and moist with a slightly chewy crumb, it's loaded with genuine pistachio flavor from both extract and real chopped nuts, and it has delicious ribbons of chocolate running through every slice.

The chopped pistachios on top toast up as the loaf bakes, adding crunch and a little salty contrast to the sweet, nutty loaf underneath. It's the kind of bread that's just as good with morning coffee as it is sliced up for dessert.

I don't think the Dubai chocolate trend is going away any time soon!

⏲️ How to store

Once the loaf is completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, you can slice the loaf, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, and freeze in a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour.

Starbucks does recommend serving the loaf slices warmed and I recommend wrapping a slice loosely in aluminum foil and warming at 300 degrees F for about 5-6 minutes. This will give you that just-baked feel without drying anything out.

You can also warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

🎉 Variations on recipe

I've tested this recipe many times to get it as close to Starbucks' Chocolate Pistachio Loaf as possible, but there are lots of ways you can make it your own.

Here are some ideas:

• Add a pistachio glaze: whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons milk and ¼ teaspoon pistachio extract. Drizzle over the cooled loaf and top with extra chopped pistachios.
• Add chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips into the batter.
• Make into muffins instead of a loaf: divide the batter among 12 lined muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees F for 18-22 minutes.
• Add chopped pistachios into the loaf batter for extra crunch.
• Fold chopped maraschino cherries or dried cherries into the batter.
• Add half almond extract in along with the pistachio extract for additional nutty flavor.

☕️ Starbucks pistachio drink copycat recipes

Of course, this chocolate pistachio loaf is best enjoyed alongside a Starbucks drink! Here are some of the best options:

Be sure to check out all my Starbucks copycat recipes for lots more ideas!

I've made this loaf more times than I can count at this point, and it hasn't gotten old yet. If you're a pistachio person, I think this one will be in heavy rotation in your kitchen too!

Let me know if you make it and what you think!

📖 Recipe